Answer: C. Encourages the legislative branch to make laws that promote the common good.
Explanation: The general welfare clause, also known as the welfare clause or the general welfare provision, is found in Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution. It states that Congress has the power to "lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts, and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States."
The significance of the general welfare clause lies in its encouragement of the legislative branch to pass laws that promote the common good or the well-being of the nation as a whole. It grants Congress the authority to enact policies, allocate resources, and levy taxes for the purpose of improving the welfare and prosperity of the United States.
While the clause does provide Congress with the power to collect taxes and allocate funds, it does not explicitly grant the executive branch enforcement powers or restrict Congress from creating laws that may affect individual rights. The primary focus of the general welfare clause is to emphasize the importance of legislation aimed at benefiting the broader interests of the nation and its citizens.