What Are Expressed Powers?

"Expressed powers," are powers granted to the government mostly found in Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution within 18 clauses. Expressed powers, also known as the "enumerated powers," include the power to coin money, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, declare war, grant patents and copyrights and more.

A total of 27 expressed powers are given to the government in Article 1, Section 8. There are three different types of delegated powers: expressed, inherent and implied. Other expressed powers granted the government are found in different Amendments to the Constitution. An example of this is the 16th Amendment gives Congress the expressed power to levy an income tax.