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The Necessary and Proper Clause states to make all laws necessary and proper for the carrying into execution the enumerated powers and all others vested in it. This clause is found in Article 1 of the US Constitution.
If the federal government can perform an enumerated power without a law or action, then that law or action is unnecessary and therefore unconstitutional.
If the federal government can perform an enumerated power without a law or action, then that law or action is unnecessary and therefore unconstitutional.
U.S. Art. I, Sec. 8, Cl. 18, empowering congress to make all laws which shall be "necessary and proper" for carrying out to execution the enumerated powers of Congress.
Thomas Jefferson believed that the Louisiana Purchase was constitutional because he felt it was within his power as President to make such a purchase. He based this opinion on a combination of the Necessary and Proper Clause of the Constitution the precedent of past purchases and a belief that the Constitution was a document of enumerated powers that gave the President certain implied powers. Necessary and Proper Clause of the Constitution - Under this clause Congress is allowed to pass laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers. Jefferson felt that this clause could be interpreted to include the power to purchase land from foreign nations. Precedent of Past Purchases - Jefferson noted that previous Presidents had completed land transactions with foreign powers and believed that this established a precedent for conducting such transactions.Enumerated Powers - He also recognized that the Constitution was a document of enumerated powers and that implied powers could be used to complete such transactions.Ultimately Jefferson believed that the Louisiana Purchase was constitutional because it was within his power as President to make such a purchase. He felt that such a transaction was necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated powers of the Constitution and that the precedent of past purchases established a basis for conducting such a transaction.
Jefferson wanted a strict interpretation to give more power to the states, while hamilton favored a broad interpretation to streengthen the central government. Also, Jefferson wanted to give the common people more opportunities to participate in government while hamilton believed commoners were ignorant and not capable of self-government
Implied powers given by the Necessary and Proper Clause in the Constitution. Although those powers are not specifically mentioned, they can be carried out in order to perform the written, or enumerated, powers.
The section of the constitution granting Congress the authority to extend its delegated powers is known as the necessary and proper clause or the elastic clause. Found in Article I, Section 8, Clause 18, it gives Congress the power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the other enumerated powers in the constitution. This clause has been interpreted to allow Congress to expand its powers beyond what is explicitly stated in the constitution.
Short answer: It's not. There's nothing in the enumerated powers given to Congress in Article 1, Section 8 to allow Congress to fund scientific agencies, unless in some way the agency would be necessary and proper for the exercise of an enumerated power. Not sure for what enumerated power NASA would be necessary and proper.
The phrase "necessary and proper" refers to the power granted to Congress in Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution to make laws that are essential and appropriate for carrying out its enumerated powers. This has been interpreted broadly by the Supreme Court to give Congress flexibility in legislating to address issues not explicitly outlined in the Constitution.
The necessary and proper clause
enumerated