Which phrase in the U.S. Constitution addresses the power to seize property?

The phrase that addresses the power to seize property is "eminent domain." This legal principle allows the government to take private property for public use, provided that the owner is given just compensation. The concept is rooted in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states that no person shall be deprived of property without due process of law, and it requires just compensation when property is taken for public use.

Understanding eminent domain is essential because it underscores the balance between individual property rights and the needs of society as a whole. This power is often invoked for projects that serve public interests, such as the construction of highways, schools, or parks. The requirement for just compensation means that while the government does have the authority to take property, it must do so without unfairly disadvantaging property owners.

The other options, while relevant to different legal contexts and principles, do not pertain directly to the government's power to seize property. For example, a writ of habeas corpus deals with individual rights and the lawfulness of detaining someone, reserved powers refer to powers not specifically granted to the federal government but reserved for the states, and bills of attainder involve legislation that punishes individuals without a trial.