Article 1, Section 8 — Overview Of Congresss Enumerated Powers

prev | next

As discussed in more detail in earlier essays, the Framers sought to limit the legislative power only to those powers granted by the Constitution.[1](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/article-1/section-8/overview-of-congresss-enumerated-powers#fn1art1 " ; . ") Section 8 of Article 1 sets out the bulk of Congress’s enumerated legislative authorities. Congress’s most significant powers, in terms of the breadth of authority, may be its “power of the purse,” [2](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/article-1/section-8/overview-of-congresss-enumerated-powers#fn2art1 " See, e.g., United States v. Richardson, 418 U.S. 166, 178 n.11 (1974) (discussing Congress’s power of the purse). ") referring to its authority to tax and spend[3](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/article-1/section-8/overview-of-congresss-enumerated-powers#fn3art1 " U.S. Const. art. I, § 8, cl. 1. ") and its power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce.[4](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/article-1/section-8/overview-of-congresss-enumerated-powers#fn4art1 " Id. cl. 3. ") Section 8 also defines a number of more specific powers. For example, it gives Congress authority to establish uniform laws on naturalization and bankruptcy,[5](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/article-1/section-8/overview-of-congresss-enumerated-powers#fn5art1 " Id. cl. 4. ") establish post offices[6](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/article-1/section-8/overview-of-congresss-enumerated-powers#fn6art1 " Id. cl. 7. ") and courts,[7](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/article-1/section-8/overview-of-congresss-enumerated-powers#fn7art1 " Id. cl. 9. ") regulate intellectual property,[8](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/article-1/section-8/overview-of-congresss-enumerated-powers#fn8art1 " Id. cl. 8. ") and punish maritime crimes.[9](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/article-1/section-8/overview-of-congresss-enumerated-powers#fn9art1 " Id. cl. 10. ") Further, although the President is the Commander in Chief,[10](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/article-1/section-8/overview-of-congresss-enumerated-powers#fn10art1 " U.S. Const. art. II, § 2, cl. 1. ") Section 8 also grants Congress certain war powers, including the power to declare war,[11](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/article-1/section-8/overview-of-congresss-enumerated-powers#fn11art1 " U.S. Const. art. I, § 8, cl. 11. ") to raise and maintain armies and a navy,[12](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/article-1/section-8/overview-of-congresss-enumerated-powers#fn12art1 " Id. cls. 12–13. ") and to call forth the militia for certain purposes.[13](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/article-1/section-8/overview-of-congresss-enumerated-powers#fn13art1 " Id. cl. 15. ") Apart from these specific powers, Section 8 also provides that Congress may “make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers” and other express constitutional powers.[14](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/article-1/section-8/overview-of-congresss-enumerated-powers#fn14art1 " Id. cl. 18. ") This Necessary and Proper Clause gives Congress discretion over the means it chooses to execute its enumerated powers, so long as the goal is “legitimate” and the means “appropriate.” [15](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/article-1/section-8/overview-of-congresss-enumerated-powers#fn15art1 " United States v. Kebodeaux, 570 U.S. 387, 394 (2013); McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 U.S. (4 Wheat.) 316, 421 (1819). ")

Footnotes

1

; .

2

See, e.g., United States v. Richardson, 418 U.S. 166 , 178 n.11 (1974) (discussing Congress’s power of the purse).

3

U.S. Const. art. I , § 8, cl. 1.

4

Id. cl. 3.

5

Id. cl. 4.

6

Id. cl. 7.

7

Id. cl. 9.

8

Id. cl. 8.

9

Id. cl. 10.

10

U.S. Const. art. II , § 2, cl. 1.

11

U.S. Const. art. I , § 8, cl. 11.

12

Id. cls. 12–13.

13

Id. cl. 15.

14

Id. cl. 18.

15

United States v. Kebodeaux, 570 U.S. 387 , 394 (2013); McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 U.S. (4 Wheat.) 316 , 421 (1819).