"to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers." u. s. constitution article i, section 8 the quote above is also known as the "elastic clause" because it narrows the powers of congress to those specifically listed a way that the powers of congress are expanded through requesting permission from the judicial branch also known as the "elastic clause" because it gives congress flexibility in the types of legislation it passes a way that the powers of congress are limited because it gives the judicial branch power to eliminate laws