The Elastic Clause

Ryan Sharp
Political Behavior, Per. 1
January 25, 2012
The Constitution

A constitution is defined as a basic set of laws and principles establishing a nation’s government. The Constitution of the United States was written by many well-respected men, included several of America’s founding fathers, such as George Washington, Roger Sherman, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison, Jr. According to Madison, the main function of the Constitution involves “helping government promote the public good.” Since constructed, the Constitution has been called a living document that remains flexible and allows the government to adapt to face new obstacles and changing times. A vital part of the Constitution displays the necessary and
Found at the very end of Article I, Section 8, the Elastic Clause provides the government with an immense power and responsibility, “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 Elastic Clause allows government officials and the individuals who represent the country to adjust laws and determine whether a certain action should or should not be allowed according to the Constitution. This vital clause lets Congress stretch its authority in ways not specifically granted nor denied by the Constitution. Federal government has three types of powers: expressed, implied, and inherent. Expressed powers are found in Article I, Section 8 and include collecting taxes, regulating trade, and declaring war. Inherent powers are those powers that naturally belong to any national, sovereign government. Implied powers are suggested by expressed powers and are found in the Elastic Clause. An example of the Elastic Clause being used includes a result of the 16th amendment, which allows Congress to tax income, so now the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has been set up to collect these