Edmund Randolph vs the National Bank
After Congress passed a bill to establish the first national bank in early 1791, President George Washington asked Attorney General Edmund Randolph to prepare an opinion on the bill’s constitutionality. Randolph came down firmly against the measure, arguing that the...
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...
Understanding the Constitution: The 14th Amendment Part II
Last month’s installment covered the first three parts of Section 1 of the 14th Amendment—the Citizenship Clause, Privileges or Immunities Clause, and Due Process Clause. This installment addresses the remainder of Section 1 as well as Sections 2 through 5....