In the Constitution of the United States of America, the powers of the Legislative Branch are stated in Article I, Section 8. These are called the Enumerated Powers, and they are the guidelines for the powers of the Legislative Branch of the government. Many of them are straightforward. For example, some powers listed are: to declare war, to establish post offices, to coin money and regulate the value thereof. But the most disputed of them all is Clause 18. Clause 18 has many names. Those who support it call it the “Necessary and Proper Clause” or “Implied Powers Clause”. Those against it call it the “Sweeping Clause” and its most common name: the Elastic Clause. It states that Congress has the power “To make all Laws which shall be necessary
