Enumerated powers or "expressed powers"
Strict constructionists and loose constructionists differ over whether the government's powers should be limited to those specifically enumerated powers. Strict constructionists read the Constitution as giving the federal government only those specifically delegated powers. Loose constructionists argue that anything not specifically forbidden by the constitution can be within the window of what the government needs to do in adapting to the needs of time and circumstances. A key clause in the Constitution for this idea is the "necessary and proper" clause in Article I, Section 8, of the United States Constitution. After enumerating a number of the powers of Congress, including borrowing money, coining money, regulating commerce, etc, Section 8 of Article I closes with by saying 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." That statement implies a certain amount of leeway for the federal government to do more than the specifically enumerated powers when the challenges facing the country call for it.
