answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

because it allows the government to change as times change

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Anonymous

Lvl 1
4y ago

The "Elastic Clause" allows government to do what is seen as necessary in order to carry out the priorities of nation, even if that means an action not specifically enumerated by the Constitution.

Explanation:

Sometimes referred to as the "Elastic Clause," the "necessary and proper" clause of the United States Constitution grants Congress  implied powers beyond the specifically stated ones in the Constitution..  After enumerating a number of the powers of Congress, including borrowing money, coining money, regulating commerce, etc, Section 8 of Article I of the Constitution closes by saying Congress shall have 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."  That's a quite broad and "elastic" statement, which goes beyond specifically delegated powers and gives Congress additional implied powers.  

An example of the implementation of such implied powers in the Constitution occurred when Alexander Hamilton, as our nation's first Secretary of the Treasury, argued in favor of establishing a national bank.  Hamilton believed that anything that is not strictly forbidden in the Constitution is allowable.  A national bank was not strictly listed as something Congress could establish, but there was nothing in the Constitution to prohibit it.  And the "necessary and proper" clause gave leeway to create it, by the implied powers given to Congress.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why is the elastic clause important to the US today?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What is the elastic Claus and how does the US use it today?

a stretchy clause


What is the nickname for Article 1 Section 8 Clause 18 in the US Constitution?

The Elastic Clause Rticle 1 section 8 of the United States Constitution has only 18 clauses.


Where was the First Bank of the US allowed by the elastic clause?

The First Bank of the US was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.


What best relates to the elastic clause as it applies to the US Constitution?

Powers given to the federal government


Which feature of the US Constitution could best be used as evidence that the Constitution supports capitalism?

the elastic clause


Which provision of the US Constitution has been most significant in broadening the powers of the Federal Government?

the Elastic clause


How can the US Constitution be changed?

It can be changed by the three ideas of Flexibility: The Elastic Clause, The Amendment Process, and Judicial Interpretation.


What does necessary and proper do?

The Necessary and Proper Clause is also known as the Elastic Clause the Sweeping Clause. It is a clause in the first Article of the US Constitution. It states that the Congress will have the power to make Laws that shall be necessary and proper in relation to execution of the power.


The power of the federal government to enact legislation such as the pure food and drug act of 1906 and the social security act of 1935 is granted by which clause of the US Constitution?

The Elastic Clause


What four power does the constitution give to the legislative branch?

Elastic clause money borrow money and tax, the government has money to give to us, borrow money which we are currently doing it china, and elastic Clause which is the statement that grants the congress the power to pass all laws


What is the elastic clause-?

The elastic clause provides flexibility for our government.The elastic clause in the US Constitution grants Congress the right to pass all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out the powers specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution.


What does the elastic clause do?

The Elastic Clause is in Article I of the US Constitution, and it states that any powers necessary to complete the powers listed above (the expressed powers of congress), but not necessarily mentioned there, are nonetheless granted to the Congress. For example: An express power is that Congress can maintain an army. A implied power (powers granted by the elastic clause) would be to recruit, train, and draft citizens into that army. It could also establish military bases to which civilian access was restricted. The elastic clause has been used throughout US history to add powers to the federal government. It allows the federal government to expand its powers.