Which statement defines implied powers?

• A. Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution.
• B. Powers reserved for the states.
• C. Powers held only by the federal government.
• D. Powers not written but necessary to execute enumerated powers.

Answer: (D)

Implied powers are powers not written in the Constitution but necessary to carry out the powers that are written. This comes from the Necessary and Proper Clause, which lets Congress make laws needed to execute its enumerated powers. A classic example is creating a national bank to manage finances; the Bank wasn’t spelled out in the text, but it was considered necessary to tax, borrow money, and regulate commerce. Because implied powers fill gaps to enable expressed powers, they are defined as not written but necessary to execute enumerated powers. The other descriptions refer to powers that are explicitly written, reserved for the states, or claimed as exclusive to the federal government, which don’t capture how Congress can act through these not-written-but-necessary powers.