Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution outlines the powers granted to Congress. Here’s a summary of what it says:
Congress has the authority to:
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Lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises to pay debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States, with all such measures being uniform across the country.
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Borrow money on the credit of the United States.
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Regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the states, and with Native American tribes.
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Establish uniform rules of naturalization and bankruptcy laws.
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Coin money, regulate its value, and fix the standard of weights and measures.
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Provide for the punishment of counterfeiting U.S. securities and coin.
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Establish post offices and post roads.
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Promote science and arts by securing inventors and authors exclusive rights to their works for limited times.
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Constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court.
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Define and punish piracies and felonies on the high seas and offenses against the law of nations.
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Declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water.
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Raise and support armies, but no appropriation for this can be longer than two years.
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Provide and maintain a navy.
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Make rules for the government and regulation of land and naval forces.
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Provide for calling forth the militia to execute laws, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions.
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Organize, arm, and discipline the militia, and govern them when employed in U.S. service, reserving to the states the appointment of officers and training authority.
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Exercise exclusive legislation over the District of Columbia and other federal properties purchased with state consent.
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Make all laws necessary and proper for executing these powers and others vested by the Constitution in the U.S. government or its departments.
This section defines the legislative powers of Congress, giving it the framework to govern taxation, commerce, defense, and other national concerns.
NOTE: There is NO mention of doing anything with Education or welfare.