<P> Interpretation of the Necessary and Proper Clause has been controversial , especially during the early years of the republic . Strict constructionists interpret the clause to mean that Congress may make a law only if the inability to do so would cripple its ability to apply one of its enumerated powers . Loose constructionists , on the other hand , believe it is largely up to Congress and not the courts to determine what means are `` necessary and proper '' to executing one of its enumerated powers . It is often known as the `` elastic clause '' because of the great amount of leeway in interpretation it allows ; depending on the interpretation , it can be `` stretched '' to expand the powers of Congress , or allowed to `` contract '' , limiting Congress . In practical usage , the clause has been paired with the Commerce Clause in particular to provide the constitutional basis for a wide variety of federal laws . </P>
the clause that allows the federal government to expand its powers is the
Necessary and Proper Clause