Andrew Jackson denied that McCulloch v. Maryland foreclosed a presidential Bank veto on constitutional grounds. That opinion “ought not to control the coordinate authorities of this Government. The Congress, the Executive, and the Court must each for itself be guided by its own opinion of the Constitution.” Even if Congress could legitimately consider something a “necessary” means to effectuate one or more of its delegated powers, the veto argued, that conclusion was not binding on the executive when veto opportunities arose.
The Constitution was drafted in 1787, after the American Revolution ended. What document preceded the Constitution in outlining the powers of the US government? the Declaration of Independence.
