Necessary and Proper Clause

Necessary and Proper Clause is a provision in the United States Constitution that grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers. This clause is also known as the Elastic Clause, the Basket Clause, the Coefficient Clause, and the Sweeping Clause.

Text

The Necessary and Proper Clause is found in Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the United States Constitution, which reads:

"To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof."

Interpretation

The interpretation of the Necessary and Proper Clause has been a topic of debate since the founding of the United States. Some Founding Fathers, such as Thomas Jefferson, believed that the clause should be interpreted narrowly, limiting the powers of Congress. Others, like Alexander Hamilton, argued for a broad interpretation, which would allow Congress to pass any law it deemed necessary and proper.

Impact

The Necessary and Proper Clause has had a significant impact on the scope of federal power. It has been used to justify the creation of federal agencies, the regulation of commerce, and the implementation of social welfare programs. The clause has also been used to justify federal laws that regulate activities traditionally controlled by the states, such as education and law enforcement.

Judicial Review

The Necessary and Proper Clause has been the subject of numerous Supreme Court cases. In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court ruled that the clause gave Congress the power to establish a national bank, even though the power to create a bank is not explicitly listed in the Constitution. This decision established the principle of implied powers, which has been used to expand the scope of federal power.

See Also

• Enumerated powers
• Implied powers
• Commerce Clause
• Supremacy Clause