Implied Powers

The implied powers are powers that Congress possesses but are not specifically stated in the Constitution. These powers are part of the necessary and proper clause. This clause has enabled the Constitution to be flexible as the needs of the country have changed.

The Constitution states that Congress has the power "to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper."

The implied powers has enabled Congress to establish the Federal Reserve System (they establish interest rates and maintain the money supply), make tax evasion a crime, to establish a minimum wage, and to create and use the draft.