The Founding Fathers established the US Congress to serve several important purposes. At its most basic level, Congress was created to represent the American people in the federal government and to ensure that the laws of the land reflect their will.
Years before the US Constitution formed Congress, the Founders affirmed in the Declaration of Independence that all people have natural rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that the fundamental purpose of government is to protect those rights for Americans.
When it comes to Congress’s day-to-day responsibilities, Article One of the Constitution grants the legislative branch a narrow list of powers they may exercise. Unlike many state legislatures which have broader grants of power, Congress’ powers are both limited and enumerated. Including laying and collecting taxes, duties, imports and excises; paying America’s debts; providing for the nation’s common defense and general welfare; borrowing money on American credit; regulating commerce with foreign nations; coining and regulating money; providing for the punishment of counterfeiting; establishing Post Offices and post roads; promoting the “Progress of Science and useful” arts; defining and punishing piracies and felonies committed on the high seas; declaring war; granting letters of marque and reprisal; raising and supporting armies; providing and maintaining a Navy; and suppressing insurrections and repelling invasions.
Notably, the First Amendment of the US Constitution limits the powers of Congress:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
