Enumerated powers

Enumerated powers is a term referring to Article 1 Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution which lists the specific powers of legislation granted to the United States Congress. The concept of enumerated powers implies that the legislature may exercise only those powers that are stated in the Constitution, limited, of course, by the Bill of Rights and the other protections found in the Constitutional text.

Related Topics:
U.S. Constitution - Legislation - United States Congress - Bill of Rights - Other protections found in the Constitutional text

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The classical statement of a government of enumerated powers is that by Chief Justice Marshall in McCulloch v. Maryland:

Related Topics:
Chief Justice - Marshall - McCulloch v. Maryland

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:This government is acknowledged by all, to be one of enumerated powers. The principle, that it can exercise only the powers granted to it, would seem too apparent, to have required to be enforced by all those arguments, which its enlightened friends, while it was depending before the people, found it necessary to urge; that principle is now universally admitted.

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