Final answer:
The Commerce Clause limits state authority by granting Congress the power to regulate commerce among states, thereby preventing states from enacting laws that could interfere with interstate trade or encroach upon federal power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Commerce Clause fundamentally limits the authority of states by granting Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states. This federal power restricts states from enacting laws that could interfere with interstate commerce or usurp Congress's constitutional role. For example, states cannot charge import tariffs on goods from other states, which would undermine a unified national market.Historically, the Supreme Court has interpreted the Commerce Clause both narrowly and broadly, affecting how much leeway states have in regulation. In some Supreme Court rulings, such as United States v. Lopez, the Court has delineated the bounds of Congress’s regulatory power, occasionally favoring state sovereignty over federal preeminence in certain areas that may not directly relate to commerce, like gun-free school zones or domestic violence protection.More recently, the Court has maintained a cautious approach, sometimes using other constitutional provisions like the Necessary and Proper Clause to justify federal legislation. This ensures that while Congress has substantial power to regulate commerce, there are recognizably defined limits intended to protect states' rights and avoid undue federal encroachment on local affairs.Conclusion In summary, the Commerce Clause serves as both an enabler of federal regulation in economic matters and as a limitation on state powers when their laws might conflict with interstate commerce. This ensures a balance between maintaining a national economic policy and respecting states' rights to govern within their own borders. However, the extent of this balance can shift depending on the interpretation of the Commerce Clause by the Supreme Court.