[An] act of the Congress of the United States... which…
“[An] act of the Congress of the United States... which assumes powers... not delegated by the Constitution, is not law, but is altogether void and of no force.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Legislative authority must stem from the Constitution; any power not granted is invalid.
In simple terms: Only constitutionally granted powers are valid.
Uphold constitutional limits on government.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- legislative drafting
- policy analysis
- civic education
- judicial review
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you address ambiguous constitutional interpretations?
- Can flexibility ever be justified?
Political realities may complicate strict adherence.