<P> Powers of the United States Congress are implemented by the United States Constitution, defined by rulings of the Supreme Court, and by its own efforts and by other factors such as history and custom . It is the chief legislative body of the United States . Some powers are explicitly defined by the Constitution and are called enumerated powers; others have been assumed to exist and are called implied powers . </P> <P> Article I of the Constitution sets forth most of the powers of Congress, which include numerous explicit powers enumerated in Section 8 . Constitutional amendments have granted Congress additional powers . Congress also has implied powers derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause of the Constitution . </P>

Where does congress get its lawmaking powers from