Final answer:
The necessary and proper clause in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution has been used to expand the power of the national government by allowing Congress to enact laws that are necessary and proper for fulfilling its constitutional duties.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution, the necessary and proper clause has been used to c. expand the power of national government. This clause, often referred to as the elastic clause, enables Congress to make all laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out its constitutional responsibilities. While it allows Congress to create the legal means to fulfill those responsibilities, the open-ended nature of the clause has enabled the national government to expand its authority beyond what is explicitly enumerated in the Constitution. Examples include controversial policy areas like healthcare, taxation, and regulation of interstate commerce.