6-2 Powers of Congress

authorization bills

laws that create projects and establish how much money can be spent on them

ex post facto laws

laws that make an act a crime AFTER the act has been committed

bills of attainder

laws that punish a person without a jury trial

writ of habeas corpus

A court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person

impeached US Presidents

Bill Clinton and Andrew Johnson

regulating interstate commerce

includes laws dealing with railroads, trucking, and air traffic

impeach

to accuse officials of misconduct in office

expressed powers

abilities of Congress that are specifically listed in the Constitution

appropriation bills and authorization

fall under Congress' power to tax and spend

non-legislative powers

oversight, investigation, approval, and removal

elastic clause

part of the Constitution which allows Congress to stretch its powers also known as "necessary and proper clause"

Richard Nixon

resigned before being impeached