Final answer:
The Elastic Clause and the Supremacy Clause in the Constitution protect the federal government's authority over the states by granting Congress broad powers and establishing federal precedence over state laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the Constitution, the provision that protects the authority of the federal government over the states is known as the Elastic Clause. This clause is located in Article I, Section 8, and grants Congress the power “to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the Foregoing powers.” This inherent flexibility ensures the federal government can interpret its powers broadly to manage relationships with the states and address issues not specifically mentioned in the Constitution, embodying the principle of federal supremacy as asserted in Article VI, the Supremacy Clause.
The Supremacy Clause establishes that the Constitution and federal laws take precedence over state laws and constitutions. This clause is a critical element that protects the federal government's authority and is found in Article VI of the Constitution.
While the Reserved Powers granted by the Tenth Amendment delineate the division of powers between the states and the federal government, it is through the Elastic Clause and the Supremacy Clause that the Constitution affords the federal government precedence over state legislation in cases of conflict.