What are expressed powers?

Expressed powers refer to those powers that are explicitly written and granted to the federal government by the Constitution. These powers are clearly defined and can be found primarily in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, where a specific list of authorities the federal government possesses is outlined. This includes powers such as the ability to levy taxes, regulate commerce, declare war, and maintain an army and navy.

This clarity in definition distinguishes expressed powers from those that are reserved for the states, which are not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution and fall under the Tenth Amendment. Implied powers, on the other hand, are not directly stated but are inferred from the expressed powers to allow for the government to function effectively. Similarly, powers shared between national and state governments, known as concurrent powers, involve different authorities that both levels of government can exercise, but they are not classified as expressed powers. Thus, the correct identification of expressed powers as those specifically granted to the federal government is foundational in understanding the structure and limitations of governmental authority set forth in the Constitution.