The United States Congress is the legislative branch of our government consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Our Congress, just like all branches of our government, derives its power from the United States Constitution, specifically Article 1, Section 8, which outlines the specific enumerated powers of Congress. This article also outlines the implied powers of Congress. These implied powers include all things deemed necessary for Congress to carry out the duties assigned to it by the enumerated powers. There are several powers expressly given to Congress in Article 1 of the Constitution. These expressed powers are basically a laundry list of congressional duties. These include, but are not limited to, the power to levy and collect taxes, the power to borrow money on behalf of the credit of the United States, the power to coin money and regulate its value, the power to declare war, the power to raise and support armies, the power to establish post offices and post roads, and the power to regulate commerce among the states, as well as with Indian tribes and foreign nations. These powers were given to this level of government by our ancestor because they are important matters that must be regulated at the national level. Imagine the chaos that would ensue if each state was able to mint its own currency and set its value itself. While Congress may be responsible for matters of great importance to our national security and economy, “none of the powers transferred to the federal government are unnecessary or improper” (Federalist No. 45) and “The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the government federal government are few and defined." (Federalist n.45). This helps ensure that the power of Congress is to our advantage. Congress has many important and explicit responsibilities, and while it may sometimes attempt to exercise those powers in ways we disagree with, or make necessary and appropriate provisions a little too freely, we, the people, are always free to challenge them and use the powers granted to us as free citizens to help decide how far those powers can actually extend. Works Cited James Madison, The Federalist No. 45. Alleged danger from Union powers to state governments considered. Independent newspaper Saturday 26 January 1788U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 8 Clause 1Gibbons v Ogden, 22 US 1 (1824) Retrieved from http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0022_0001_ZO.htmlMcCulloch v Maryland. 17 US 316 (1819) Retrieved from http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0017_0316_ZS.html