UNIT 1.07 - 1.09 Vocab

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by both the state and federal governments, such as the power to tax or build roads.

Exclusive powers

Powers that can only be exercised by the national government, such as declaring war.

Reserved powers

Powers not specifically granted to the federal government that are kept by the states under the 10th Amendment.

Amendment X (10)

The amendment stating that any power not delegated to the federal gov is reserved to the states or the people.

Delegated powers

Powers specifically given to the federal government by the Constitution.

Enumerated/Expressed powers

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution, like the power to coin money or regulate interstate commerce.

Implied powers

Powers not written in the Constitution but suggested by the "Necessary and Proper" clause to help the gov do its job.

Necessary & Proper/Elastic Clause

Found in Article I, it allows Congress to stretch its powers to meet new needs not listed in the Constitution.

Stare decisis

A legal principle of following "precedents" (previous court decisions) to ensure consistency in the law.

US v. Lopez

A landmark case where the Court limited federal power, ruling that Congress cannot use the Commerce Clause to ban guns in school zones.

McCulloch v. MD

A landmark case establishing that federal law is supreme over state law and that Congress has implied powers (like creating a bank).

Commerce Clause

The constitutional power used by Congress to regulate almost all business activity that crosses state lines.

Supremacy Clause

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes federal law superior to state law when the two conflict.

Amendment XIV (14)

Granted citizenship to all born in the US and used by the feds to make sure states respect individual civil rights.

Due Process Clause

Part of the 14th Amendment that prevents states from taking away life, liberty, or property without fair legal procedures.

Equal Protection Clause

Part of the 14th Amendment used to prevent states from discriminating against individuals or groups.

Revenue sharing

An old system where the federal government gave a portion of tax money to states with zero restrictions on how to spend it.

Block grants

Federal money given to states for a broad purpose (like "healthcare") that allows states to decide exactly how to use it.

Categorical grants

Federal money given to states for a very specific, narrow purpose (like "buying new school buses") with many "strings attached."

Mandates

Requirements or "orders" from the federal government that states must follow, often without receiving any money to pay for it.