During World War I, he was commissioned a second lieutenant on August 15, 1917. He was promoted to first lieutenant and served as battalion adjutant in the Eight Hundred and Seventh Pioneer Infantry.
Early career
He moved to Trenton, in 1919 and engaged in the building business. He served as member of the New Jersey General Assembly from 1928 to 1930.
Congress
Powers was elected as a Republican to the Seventy-third and to the six succeeding Congresses and served from March 4, 1933, until his resignation on August 30, 1945, to become a member of the New Jersey Public Utilities Commission, a post he held until retirement in 1967.