Necessary Does not Mean Useful or Convenient
One of the most famous and important Supreme Court opinions is from the 1819 McCulloch v. Maryland case. It set the stage for massive expansion of federal power by incorrectly defining the Constitutional meaning of the word “necessary.” In its majority opinion, SCOTUS...
Today in History: New York Ratifies the Constitution
On this date in 1788, New York became the 11th state to ratify the Constitution. The Constitution narrowly won approval by a 30-27 vote on July 26, 1788, after a long, hotly contested debate. Technically, the Constitution was already in effect. New Hampshire ratified...
The Original Meaning of “Necessary” in the Necessary and Proper Clause
One of the most significant (and often abused) clauses in the U.S. Constitution is the “Necessary and Proper” Clause. The clause states: “The Congress shall have Power… To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the...