Congress has broad and significant powers granted primarily by the U.S. Constitution, especially Article I, Section 8. These include:

• Legislative Power : Congress is the sole federal body that can enact, amend, or repeal laws. It holds all legislative authority in the government

• Taxation and Spending : Congress can lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises to fund government operations, provide for the general welfare, and pay national debts. It also controls borrowing and appropriations, including earmarked spending

• Commerce Regulation : It regulates commerce with foreign nations, among states, and with Native American tribes

• War Powers : Congress alone has the power to declare war, raise and support armies, maintain a navy, and make rules for military governance

• Appointments and Treaties : The Senate confirms presidential appointments and ratifies treaties by a two-thirds vote. The House also consents to trade agreements and confirms the Vice President

• Judicial Powers : Congress establishes lower federal courts beneath the Supreme Court and defines their jurisdiction. It also holds impeachment powers: the House impeaches federal officials, and the Senate conducts trials

• Other Enumerated Powers : These include coining money, punishing counterfeiters, establishing post offices and roads, regulating patents and copyrights, governing the District of Columbia, and legislating naturalization and bankruptcy laws

• Investigative Powers : Both chambers have extensive authority to conduct investigations, hold hearings, and compel testimony or evidence, essential for oversight and lawmaking

• Necessary and Proper Clause : Congress can make all laws necessary and proper to execute its enumerated powers, allowing implied powers beyond those explicitly listed. This clause has been broadly interpreted to expand congressional authority

In sum, Congress's powers encompass lawmaking, fiscal control, military authority, oversight of the executive and judiciary, and broad regulatory functions, all balanced by constitutional limits and checks from other branches