The constitution expressly grants congress the power to .
A. Group of answer choices appoint judges.
B. Create a system of weights and measures.
C. Receive ambassadors.
D. Abolish state boundaries.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is B. Create a system of weights and measures.
Explanation:
The Constitution of the United States grants Congress several enumerated powers, which are listed primarily in Article I, Section 8. These powers are the foundation of federal legislative authority and detail specific areas where Congress has the right to act. One of these enumerated powers includes the authority to “fix the standard of weights and measures,” which is found in Article I, Section 8, Clause 5. This power allows Congress to establish and regulate the system of weights and measures to ensure uniformity in trade, commerce, and the measurement of goods across the country.
Let’s break down the other options to clarify why they are not correct:
- A. Appoint judges: The power to appoint federal judges is vested in the President, not Congress. According to Article II, Section 2, the President nominates judges to the federal courts, including the Supreme Court, with the advice and consent of the Senate.
- C. Receive ambassadors: This power is also vested in the President under Article II, Section 3. The President is the head of state and has the authority to receive foreign ambassadors, representing the U.S. in foreign relations.
- D. Abolish state boundaries: The power to alter state boundaries does not explicitly reside with Congress. The Constitution does allow Congress to admit new states into the Union (Article IV, Section 3), but it does not grant Congress the authority to abolish or alter existing state boundaries. Such an action would require consent from the states involved.
Therefore, the correct answer is B, as the Constitution expressly grants Congress the power to regulate weights and measures to ensure consistency and fairness in trade and commerce across the country.