I outlined on the whiteboard certain express powers of Congress ,and we discussed how the "elastic clause" authorized Congress to enact statutes related to or "necessary and proper" to implement the express powers. We further discussed the tensions between the states and the federal government due to the expansion of federal powers under the "elastic clause". Specific topics and statutes discussed were Social Security laws, mail fraud, and the Affordable Care Act. I explained how small businesses challenged the Affordable Care Act arguing that the commerce clause and the elastic clause did not empower Congress to enact the law and how ultimately the US Supreme Court upheld the law because Justice Roberts found the law to be ,in effect, a lawful tax. Sam offered interesting comments on the topics and participated in class discussion. For homework, we have a test/quiz on Monday on the Bill of Rights and reading from the text on the powers of Congress as discussed in class today.