Powers of the Federal Government
The Constitution also lists the powers that the federal government has, such as the power to protect the people of the United States.
For example, under the Constitution, the federal government has the power to create an army to defend the nation, and to declare war if the U.S. has been attacked or is under threat.
The federal government also has the power to make treaties. A treaty is an agreement between two or more countries. Sometimes the federal government signs treaties with other countries to end wars or conflicts. Other times, the federal government signs treaties with countries to work together on issues like trade.
Another power that the federal government has under the Constitution is to print money. Only the U.S. government has the power to print the dollar bills and coins that people use for money in the United States.
Signing of mutual cooperation treaty with Japan in the East Room of the White House, January 1960. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services