Lesson 15: How Did the Framers Resolve the Conflict about the Powers of the Legislative Branch?
enumerated powers Those rights and responsibilities of the U.S. government specifically provided for and listed in the Constitution.
ex post facto law A law that makes an act a crime that was not a crime when the act was committed, that increases the penalty for a crime after it was committed, or that changes the rules of evidence to make conviction easier. Ex post facto laws are forbidden by Article I of the Constitution.
general welfare clause Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 of the Constitution that authorizes Congress to provide for the common defense of the country and for the common good, described as the "general Welfare."
necessary and proper clause Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution that gives Congress the power to make all laws that are "necessary and proper" to carry out the powers specifically delegated to it by the Constitution. It is also known as the elastic clause.
unconstitutonal Not allowed by the Constitution; illegal; contradicts the Constitution.
writ of habeas corpus A court order directing that a prisoner be brought to court before a judge to determine if the detention of the person is lawful. From the Latin term meaning, "you shall/should have the body."
writ of habeas corpus A court order directing that a prisoner be brought to court before a judge to determine if the detention of the person is lawful. From the Latin term meaning, "you shall/should have the body."
