general welfare clause
General Welfare Clause. U.S. Const. art. I, § 8, cl. 1, which empowers Congress to levy taxes and pay debts in order to provide for the country’s general welfare. • The Supreme Court has broadly interpreted this clause to allow Congress to create, for example, the social-security system. — Also termed Welfare Clause. [Cases: United States 22. C.J.S. United States §§ 30, 33.]