McCulloch v Maryland: Implied Powers
Marshall wrote one of the most famous lines in constitutional law: "Let the end be legitimate, let it be within the scope of the Constitution, and all means which are appropriate, which are plainly adapted to that end, which are not prohibited, but consist with the letter and spirit of the Constitution, are constitutional." In other words, if Congress pursues a goal the Constitution allows (like regulating currency), Congress can use any reasonable method to achieve that goal, even if the Constitution does not explicitly authorize that method. Marshall also invoked the Supremacy Clause (Article VI), noting that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and state actions cannot interfere with valid federal laws. This gave Congress broad discretion to choose how to exercise its powers.
McCulloch v Maryland: Implied Powers
Marshall wrote one of the most famous lines in constitutional law: "Let the end be legitimate, let it be within the scope of the Constitution, and all means which are appropriate, which are plainly adapted to that end, which are not prohibited, but consist with the letter and spirit of the Constitution, are constitutional." In other words, if Congress pursues a goal the Constitution allows (like regulating currency), Congress can use any reasonable method to achieve that goal, even if the Constitution does not explicitly authorize that method. Marshall also invoked the Supremacy Clause (Article VI), noting that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and state actions cannot interfere with valid federal laws. This gave Congress broad discretion to choose how to exercise its powers.
McCulloch v Maryland: Implied Powers
Marshall wrote one of the most famous lines in constitutional law: "Let the end be legitimate, let it be within the scope of the Constitution, and all means which are appropriate, which are plainly adapted to that end, which are not prohibited, but consist with the letter and spirit of the Constitution, are constitutional." In other words, if Congress pursues a goal the Constitution allows (like regulating currency), Congress can use any reasonable method to achieve that goal, even if the Constitution does not explicitly authorize that method. Marshall also invoked the Supremacy Clause (Article VI), noting that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and state actions cannot interfere with valid federal laws. This gave Congress broad discretion to choose how to exercise its powers.