Question: can the federal government make criminal laws on any matter

Answer: No, Under the U.S. Constitution, the power of Congress to enact criminal statutes is limited; the federal government lacks ``plenary criminal jurisdiction.'' The powers of Congress to enact criminal laws ``are not boundless.'' The U.S. Constitution mentions explicit authority for Congress in three areas: (1) counterfeiting, (2) piracy and felony on the high seas and offenses against the law of nations, and (3) treason. However, the ``necessary and proper'' clause of the Constitution gives Congress ``broad power to enact laws that are 'convenient or useful' or 'conductive' to the authority's 'beneficial exercise' ``.