Question

The Constitution spells out_______ -those powers that belong to the federal government alone. What goes in the blank??

Answer 1

"Expressed powers" or "enumerated powers."

Enumerated powers are those powers specifically granted to the federal government by the United States Constitution.

Enumerated powers include such things as the power to coin/print money, the power to establish and impose tariffs, and the power to regulated trade with foreign nations and trade/commerce between states.

Strict constructionists and loose constructionists differ over whether the government's powers should be limited to those specifically enumerated powers.  Strict constructionists read the Constitution as giving the federal government only those specifically delegated powers.  Loose constructionists argue that anything not specifically forbidden by the constitution can be within the window of what the government needs to do in adapting to the needs of time and circumstances.