Question

worksheet 6
a series of statements about the powers given or denied to congress are listed below. part of each statement is wrong. in the space provided, write the section number and clause number where the power is found, and correct the statement. each statement has an important word or phrase in italics to help you find the answers.

1. congress, with the help of the president, can regulate trade.
2. congress can print money, but cannot establish weights and measures.
3. copyrights are granted by congress for a period of twenty - five years.
4. congress can award a famous individual a title of nobility, such as duke.
5. taxes collected by congress may differ from state to state.
6. states cannot engage in war under any circumstances.
7. the president makes the laws that punish people who counterfeit money.
8. the president alone can declare war.
9. states may sign treaties with other countries for purposes of trade.
10. congressional power is limited by an elastic clause, that gives the president extensive powers over law making.
11. only congress can pass bills of attainder.
12. congress can suspend the protection from a writ of habeas corpus at any time.

Explanation:

1. Congress alone has the power to regulate trade (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3).
2. Congress can coin money and establish weights and measures (Article I, Section 8, Clause 5).
3. Copyright terms are set by Congress and are longer than 25 - years currently (1790 - 2024, terms have changed over time).
4. No state or Congress can grant titles of nobility (Article I, Section 9, Clause 8).
5. Federal taxes must be uniform throughout the United States (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1).
6. States cannot engage in war without Congress's consent, but there are some rare emergency - like situations not strictly 'war' that could be debated.
7. Congress is responsible for making laws punishing counterfeiting (Article I, Section 8, Clause 6).
8. Only Congress can declare war (Article I, Section 8, Clause 11).
9. States cannot sign treaties with foreign countries (Article I, Section 10, Clause 3).
10. The elastic clause (Necessary and Proper Clause, Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) expands Congress's power, not limits it and doesn't give the President extensive law - making powers.
11. Congress is prohibited from passing bills of attainder (Article I, Section 9, Clause 3).
12. Congress can suspend the writ of habeas corpus in cases of rebellion or invasion when the public safety requires it (Article I, Section 9, Clause 2).

Answer:

1. Incorrect. Congress alone can regulate trade.
2. Incorrect. Congress can coin money and establish weights and measures.
3. Incorrect. Copyright terms set by Congress are currently longer than 25 years.
4. Incorrect. Neither Congress nor states can grant titles of nobility.
5. Incorrect. Federal taxes are uniform across the United States.
6. Incorrect. States generally cannot engage in war without Congress's consent.
7. Incorrect. Congress makes laws punishing counterfeiting.
8. Incorrect. Only Congress can declare war.
9. Incorrect. States cannot sign treaties with foreign countries.
10. Incorrect. The elastic clause expands Congress's power, not limits it and doesn't give the President extensive law - making powers.
11. Incorrect. Congress is prohibited from passing bills of attainder.
12. Incorrect. Congress can suspend the writ of habeas corpus under specific circumstances (rebellion or invasion, public safety requires it).