Federalism Basics
This principle divides power between national and state governments.
What is federalism?
This branch of government makes laws.
What is the legislative branch?
Some cities limit cooperation with ICE and federal immigration enforcement.
What are sanctuary cities?
Congress cannot pass laws that punish people retroactively.
What is an ex post facto law?
This Supreme Court decision declared school segregation unconstitutional.
What is Brown v. Board of Education?
This amendment says powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people.
What is the Tenth Amendment?
This chamber of Congress is based on state population.
What is the House of Representatives?
This law is legal in many states but illegal under federal drug law.
What is marijuana?
Members of Congress can’t be arrested for things they say during debate.
What is legislative immunity?
This 1964 law banned discrimination in public places and employment.
What is the Civil Rights Act?
This clause makes federal laws stronger than conflicting state laws.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
This chamber of Congress gives each state equal representation.
What is the Senate?
After this case, states can now restrict or ban abortion.
What is Dobbs v. Jackson?
This section of the Constitution prevents states from forming their own money or treaties.
What is a limit on state power?
This 1965 law protected voting rights, especially in the South.
What is the Voting Rights Act?
This clause lets Congress make laws needed to do its job, even if not listed in the Constitution.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
This power allows Congress to investigate or hold hearings.
What is oversight?
Southern states used this to justify keeping segregation before federal laws changed it.
What are states’ rights?
This clause allows Congress to regulate trade between states and with foreign nations.
What is the commerce clause?
Southern states used these laws to enforce segregation after Reconstruction.
What were Jim Crow laws?
This concept explains why the U.S. sometimes has different laws in different states.
What are states’ rights?
This term refers to powers that are not listed but necessary to carry out listed ones.
What are implied powers?
This legal principle says the federal government can’t force states to carry out federal programs.
What is the anti-commandeering principle?
This process allows Congress to pass a law even if the president vetoes it.
What is a veto override?
This case showed how federal power could stop states from ignoring civil rights protections.
What is Brown v. Board of Education?