Why do they call it the elastic clause?
Asked by: Lexus Mann | Last update: February 20, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (30 votes)
They call it the "elastic clause" because its wording in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution allows Congress's powers to stretch and adapt to new, unforeseen circumstances, much like an elastic band, enabling them to pass "necessary and proper" laws to carry out their enumerated powers, which is crucial for governing over time. This flexibility allows the government to respond to modern challenges, from technology to crises, even if not explicitly mentioned in the original text.
Why is it called the elastic clause?
This 'necessary and proper' clause, then, allows the government to stretch beyond its literal description; that's why the clause is often nicknamed the elastic clause, since its flexibility allows the government to change and grow over time.
What does the term elastic clause mean?
The Elastic Clause, found in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, empowers Congress to create laws deemed necessary and proper for executing its enumerated powers.
What is another term for the elastic clause?
The Necessary and Proper Clause, also known as the Elastic Clause, is a clause in Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution: The Congress shall have Power...
Which clause is also known as the elastic clause?
It reads that Congress has the legislative power “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.” The Necessary and Proper Clause—also ...
The Elastic Clause Explained in 3 Minutes: The Constitution for Dummies Series
Why is the clause controversial?
The Supremacy Clause generated significant controversy during debates over the Constitution's ratification. Anti-Federalist opponents of the Constitution argued that the Clause would make the national government overly powerful and infringe on state sovereignty.
How does the elastic clause affect U.S. today?
The Elastic Clause allows Congress to create laws necessary for executing its powers. It is essential for adapting federal legislation to meet modern needs. The clause is synonymous with the Necessary and Proper Clause. Understanding this clause can help individuals navigate federal laws effectively.
Why is it called the sweeping clause?
During the ratification debates, opponents dubbed it the “sweeping clause” and the “general clause,” arguing that it subverted the principle of enumerated powers by sweeping general legislative competence to Congress.
What Supreme Court case involved the elastic clause?
McCulloch v. Maryland. Significance: In this, one of its most significant decisions, the Supreme Court broadly interpreted the elastic clause to uphold Congress's authority in establishing the Bank of the United States, thereby providing a foundation for federal involvement in the economy.
What is the purpose of the clause?
The purpose of a clause is to define specific rights, obligations, or conditions that the parties involved in the agreement must abide by. For this reason, legal clauses are written in a precise language that helps avoid ambiguity and define the roles and expectations of all the parties.
How did Jefferson use the elastic clause?
Jefferson argued that the necessary and proper clause imposed additional limits on the powers of Congress. The clause limited any use of powers not expressly granted by the Constitution except when such powers were absolutely necessary or indispensable to the exercise of an enumerated power.
What are the three main points of the Constitution?
U.S. Constitution: 1787-1789
- Inherent rights, or rights that anyone living in America has.
- Self-government, or Government by the people.
- Separation of powers, or branches of Government with separate powers.
What is the unitary executive theory?
In U.S. constitutional law, the unitary executive theory is a theory according to which the president of the United States has sole authority over the executive branch.
Which of the following does the so-called elastic clause of the U.S. Constitution?
Which of the following does the so-called elastic clause of the U.S. constitution allow? The federal government can exercise powers in areas in conflict with the rights guaranteed under the Tenth Amendment to the states.
Why is the elastic clause considered to be so controversial?
The Elastic Clause has been the subject of controversy and debate since its inclusion in the Constitution. Some argue that the clause gives Congress too much power, and that it has been used to justify a wide range of laws and actions that are not explicitly authorized by the Constitution.
What is the War Powers Resolution?
The War Powers Resolution (also known as the War Powers Resolution of 1973 or the War Powers Act) (50 U.S.C. ch. 33) is a federal law intended to check the U.S. president's power to commit the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of the U.S. Congress.
What is another word for the elastic clause?
The Necessary and Proper Clause (also known as the Elastic Clause) is one of the most far-reaching aspects of the United States Constitution. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution reads: "The Congress shall have Power ...
Who attacked the elastic clause?
Antifederalists bitterly attacked the elastic clause, which allowed Congress to make laws considered necessary for the carrying out of its expressed powers, as an unlimited and dangerous grant of power to the national government.
Why did McCulloch refuse to pay the tax?
James W. McCulloch, the head cashier at branch in Baltimore, refused to pay $15,000 in owed taxes, claiming Maryland's government didn't have the right to tax a federally chartered bank. Maryland's leaders sued and the state's courts sided with the legislators.
Why has clause 18 been nicknamed the elastic clause?
Legal Definitions - Elastic Clause
This provision is called "elastic" because it allows Congress to expand its legislative authority beyond explicitly listed powers to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities.
What is the name of the clause that makes it clear national law is always more powerful than state and local law?
Supremacy Clause. The Supremacy Clause refers to the foundational principle that, in general, federal law takes precedence over any conflicting state law.
What is the Federalist 33?
33, written by Alexander Hamilton and first published in The Independent Journal on January 2, 1788, continues the focus on the issues in creating an efficient taxation system, along with reassuring the people's doubts about the government control over taxation.
Which clause gives Congress the most power?
The Necessary and Proper Clause, which gives Congress power to make “all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution” other federal powers, is precisely this kind of incidental-powers clause.
Can Congress create federal agencies?
A federal agency exists because Congress determined that some problem needed regulatory oversight. An agency's powers are granted by Congress in an "enabling act," sometimes referred to as an "organic act," and in other specific legislative grants of power. See Administrative Statutes tab.
What are all the clauses in the Constitution?
constitutional clauses
- Commerce Clause.
- Confrontation Clause.
- Commander-in-Chief Clause.
- Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment.
- Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
- Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
- Full Faith and Credit Clause.
- General Welfare Clause.