Final answer:
The powers expressly reserved to the states fall under the Tenth Amendment. The powers expressly reserved to the states are outlined in the Tenth Amendment, which is the correct answer to the student's question. The correct answer is option 'a. Tenth Amendment.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The powers expressly reserved to the states fall under the Tenth Amendment.
The powers expressly reserved to the states are outlined in the Tenth Amendment, which is the correct answer to the student's question.
The powers expressly reserved to the states fall under the Tenth Amendment. The Tenth Amendment is considered the foundation of states' rights and constitutional Federalism, often called the reserved powers clause. It stipulates that the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people. Therefore, the answer to the student's question is a. Tenth Amendment. These reserved powers are a class of powers exclusive to state governments, as outlined by the amendment.
All powers expressly reserved to the states fall under the Tenth Amendment. The Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is a critical component of the Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791. It serves to delineate the division of powers between the federal government and the individual states within the U.S. federal system.
The Tenth Amendment succinctly states, "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." This amendment emphasizes the principle of federalism, underscoring that any powers not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution remain with the states or the people.
By reserving powers to the states, the Tenth Amendment establishes a clear limitation on the authority of the federal government. It reflects the framers' intent to prevent the concentration of power in a central authority and to maintain a balance between the federal government and the states, allowing for a more decentralized and diverse governance structure.
In contrast, the Eighth Amendment is unrelated to the distribution of powers but rather addresses protections against cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail or fines. Therefore, the correct answer is option 'a. Tenth Amendment.'