Which concept holds that powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people?

Which concept holds that powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people?

• A. Reserved Powers
• B. Commerce Clause
• C. Elastic Clause
• D. Necessary and Proper Clause

Answer: (A)

The main concept being tested is federalism—the division of power between national and state governments—and the specific idea that any power not given to the United States nor denied to the states belongs to the states or the people. This is captured by the term Reserved Powers, which comes from the Tenth Amendment. It explains why the states retain authority over issues like elections, licensing, and many everyday matters, while the Constitution lists only certain powers for the national government. The other options describe ways the federal government can extend its authority: the Commerce Clause empowers Congress to regulate interstate and international trade, and the Elastic Clause (also called the Necessary and Proper Clause) gives Congress the ability to enact laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers, broadening federal reach. Those provisions expand federal power rather than reserve powers to the states, so they’re not the correct concept here.

The main concept being tested is federalism—the division of power between national and state governments—and the specific idea that any power not given to the United States nor denied to the states belongs to the states or the people. This is captured by the term Reserved Powers, which comes from the Tenth Amendment. It explains why the states retain authority over issues like elections, licensing, and many everyday matters, while the Constitution lists only certain powers for the national government. The other options describe ways the federal government can extend its authority: the Commerce Clause empowers Congress to regulate interstate and international trade, and the Elastic Clause (also called the Necessary and Proper Clause) gives Congress the ability to enact laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers, broadening federal reach. Those provisions expand federal power rather than reserve powers to the states, so they’re not the correct concept here.