Question

Read this quote from Article I of the Constitution. Congress shall have power . . . [t]o make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers. Which type of powers does this quote refer to, and why is this type often the source of debate? The quote refers to reserved powers, which are given to the states to interpret as they will. The quote refers to expressed powers, which are not considered either “necessary or proper.” The quote refers to concurrent powers, which are difficult to implement equally in every state. The quote refers to implied powers, which are often difficult to interpret or understand.

Answer 1

D : The quote refers to implied powers, which are often difficult to interpret or understand.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

The correct answer is implied powers.

Implied powers are the powers of the U.S. government which have not been explicitly granted by the Constitution. There are only implied when there is a necessity to carry out the expressed powers.

The so called 'Elastic Clause" that appears in Article I section 8 of the Constitution grants Congress the power to pass unspecified laws 'necessary and proper' for the exercise of its expressed powers.

The implied powers are not stated as such and their definition is unclear. They are difficult to interpret or understand as the phrase 'necessary and proper' can have a very broad interpretation. It can be very subjective ( what's proper for one can not be proper for another ) and so it has been extremely controversial and subject to ferocious political disagreements.