Question

To lay and collect taxes, duties,...pay for common defense. Which article and section of the Constitution contains this clause?

1) Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1
2) Article 2, Section 4, Clause 2
3) Article 3, Section 2, Clause 1
4) Article 4, Section 1, Clause 1

Answer 1

The clause in question is located in Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution, which details Congress's power to tax and manage federal finances, often referred to as the power of the purse.

Step-by-step explanation:

The clause 'To lay and collect taxes, duties... pay for common defense' is found in Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution. This clause grants Congress the power to tax and raise revenue for the country's needs, including paying debts and providing for the common defense and general welfare. It is a fundamental aspect of the enumerated powers of the legislature, defining the power of the purse, which is vital for the operation of the federal government. The ability to tax includes levying taxes on income, tariffs on imported goods, and excises, which must be uniform across the states.

The enumerated powers of Congress outlined in Article I, Section 8, encompass a range of other authorities such as regulating interstate commerce, raising an army and navy, coining money, and setting rules for immigration. These powers are indicative of the federal government's intended scope over national matters as framers of the Constitution sought to strengthen the central authority compared to the weaknesses experienced under the Articles of Confederation.