Why is section 8 called the elastic clause?

Answer 1

Article I, section 8 is called the elastic clause because it stretches Congresses Constitutional authority.

The relevant portions of Article I, section 8 read as follows:

Section. 8.

The Congress shall have Power ...

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

This portion of Article I section 8, also known as the elastic clause, also known as the necessary and proper clause, empowers Congress to make the laws which would be necessary for it, or for any other branch of government, to carry out the powers granted to that respective branch. The Constitution was written in broad terms and it was not possible to consider every eventuality. However, the drafters did not want that fact to hamper the ability of any of the branches of government from performing their respective duties. Nor did the drafters want any of the branches of government to simply presume that they were empowered to do anything that was necessary to perform their respective duties as this would have undermined the very concept of enumerated powers.

Answer 2

An elastic clause is a statement in the U.S. Constitution (ArticleI, Section 8) granting Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers.

Answer 3

It allows congress to stretch its powers in order to carry out its other powers

Answer 4

because it lets Congress stretch its powers to meet situations the founders could never have anticipated.

Answer 5

The elastic clause stretches Congresses constitutional authority. It is also known as the necessary and proper clause.