The United States Constitution is the fundamental law of the United States and serves as the foundation for the country’s government. The Constitution sets forth the powers and limits of the federal government, and it guarantees the rights of citizens and other individuals. The Constitution contains a number of provisions that establish which actions are and are not allowed by the federal government. Below is a list of some of the actions that are specifically prohibited by the Constitution:
- Creating a law ex post facto
- Borrowing money from the government
- Passing laws that violate the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States
- Depriving any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law
- Prohibiting the migration or importation of persons
- Levying direct taxes on citizens
- Prohibiting the export of goods
- Discriminating against ports of one state
The Constitution also establishes the powers that the federal government does have. In Article I, Section 8, the Constitution enumerates certain powers given to Congress, such as taxation, borrowing money, regulating commerce, and establishing a postal service. Additionally, the “necessary and proper” clause in Article I, Section 8 gives Congress implied powers, which are powers not listed in the Constitution but are necessary in order to exercise powers that are listed.
It is important to note that the Constitution does not explicitly prohibit every action that is not listed as one of the powers granted to Congress. Additionally, certain types of laws, such as laws concerning the regulation of health and safety, are not specifically addressed by the Constitution, and so they are left to the states to decide. Therefore, it is important to understand the scope of the Constitution’s prohibitions and limitations when determining which actions are and are not allowed.