Clauses Quote by Joseph Story

I go further, and affirm that bills of rights, in the sense and to the extent in which they are contended for, are not…

— Alexander Hamilton

No clause in the Constitution could by any rule of construction be conceived to give to congress a power to disarm the people.

— William Rawle

[An] act of the Congress of the United States... which assumes powers... not delegated by the Constitution, is not law, but is altogether void…

— Thomas Jefferson

If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the General Welfare, the Government is no longer…

— James Madison

The constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have…

— George Washington

The construction applied . . . to those parts of the Constitution of the United States which delegate Congress a power . . .…

— Thomas Jefferson

To refer the power in question to the clause "to provide for the common defense and general welfare" would be contrary to the established…

— James Madison

Complying with requests from Congress is not optional. It is mandatory.

— Pete Hoekstra

When the president acts in absence of a congressional grant of authority, he can rely only upon his own independent powers. When the president…

— Arlen Specter

I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution,…

— Thomas Jefferson

What is to be the consequence, in case the Congress shall misconstrue this part [the necessary and proper clause] of the Constitution and exercise…

— James Madison

Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated.

— Thomas Jefferson