Measures for external safety; for the maintenance of the independence and neutrality of Switzerland; the declaration of war and the conclusion of peace.
The guarantee of the constitutions and the territory of the Cantons; intervention in consequence of such guarantee; measures for the internal safety of Switzerland, for the maintenance of peace and order; amnesty and pardon.[34]
Measures for securing observance of the Federal constitution; for carrying out the guarantee of the Cantonal constitutions, and for the fulfilment of federal obligations.
The power of controlling the federal army.
The determination of the yearly budget, the audit of public accounts, and federal ordinances authorizing loans.
General supervision of the federal administration and of federal courts; appeals from the decisions of the Federal Council upon administrative conflicts of jurisdiction between federal authorities.
Revision of the Federal constitution.
3. Both Councils shall assemble once each year in regular session, on a day to be fixed by the standing orders.[35] They may be convened in extra session by the Federal Council, or on demand of one-fourth of the members of the National Council, or of five Cantons.
4. In either Council a quorum is a majority of the total number of its members.
5. In the National Council and in the Council of States, a majority of those voting shall decide the question.