text: what is the purpose of the elastic clause of the consitions?   this constitutional clause (article i, section 8, clause 18) is also referred to as the sweepings clause.  “to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested in the constitution in the government of the united states, or in any department or officer thereof.”  the constitutional convention had a great deal of debate concerning the meaning and need for this clause.  in short the initial meaning of this clause was that the congress had the power to enact what was required to enforce its delegated powers, that is, the new laws would be necessary to enforce powers which had been properly delegated to the federal government.    from 1801 to 1835 the supreme court of the united states fell under the sway of chief justice john marshall who believe in a very strong general government as did alexander hamilton.  marshall opined (in part) in mcculloch v. maryland [1819] that the words of article i, section 8, clause 18 “necessary” and “proper” had the same meaning.  therefore laying the foundation for the congress to enact any law they believed to be necessary.  both madison and jefferson disagreed with this court decision, but it has stood as precedence for ensuing cases to use it to strengthen the position of the federal government.  from this perspective the “elastic” was stretched out of all shape relative to original intent.