Question

Which of the following scenarios would violate the tenth amendment?

1) Congress signing a law drafting Americans to the military
2) Congress barring the shipment of gasoline
3) Congress punishing people who do not pay their taxes
4) Congress passing a law raising the minimum driving age to 21

Answer 1

Out of the provided options, raising the minimum driving age to 21 by Congress is the scenario that would violate the Tenth Amendment, as the regulation of driving laws is a power typically reserved to the states.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution reserves powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, to the states respectively, or to the people. Analyzing the scenarios provided:

1. Congress signing a law drafting Americans to the military is within federal powers as it pertains to national defense.
2. Congress barring the shipment of gasoline could be seen as part of its interstate commerce powers.
3. Congress punishing people who do not pay their taxes is a power directly given to Congress under the Constitution to collect taxes.
4. Congress passing a law raising the minimum driving age to 21 would violate the Tenth Amendment, as this power is generally reserved to the states.

Out of the provided options, scenario 4 is where the federal government would overstep its constitutional authority, infringing upon the powers that are typically reserved for state regulation.