US Federalism and Federal vs State Power

Vocabulary flashcards covering federalism, federal versus state autonomy, key legal precedents, constitutional provisions, financial leverage, and policy variations across US states.

Commerce Clause

A constitutional power used by the federal government to expand its authority over states, notably applied in Supreme Court cases such as Gonzales v Raich (2005).

Gonzales v Raich (2005)

A Supreme Court ruling in which the federal government expanded its authority over states regarding marijuana regulation under the Commerce Clause.

Necessary and Proper Clause

A constitutional clause enabling the federal government to issue mandates requiring state compliance, such as the Civil Rights Act (CRA).

Tenth Amendment

A constitutional provision reserving unassigned powers to the states, protecting state autonomy and limiting total federal domination.

NFIB v Sebelius (2012)

A Supreme Court decision ruling that the federal government could not force states to accept the Medicaid expansion under Obamacare by threatening to withdraw existing Medicaid funding.

NFIB v Dept of Labour (2022)

A Supreme Court ruling that blocked a federal vaccine mandate, demonstrating judicial limits on federal power over states.

Block Grants

Federal financial aid given to states that provides them with discretion over how to allocate and spend the funds.

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

A block grant program where federal funding is allocated based on the number of poor residents in a state, while allowing state discretion on expenditure.

No Child Left Behind Act (2002)

Education legislation passed under President George W. Bush that expanded the federal role in education by mandating annual testing in exchange for federal funding.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (2015)

Education legislation signed under President Obama that returned significant educational authority back to state control.

Cole Memo

A federal policy guidance memo under which federal authorities chose not to enforce federal marijuana laws in states that had legalized it.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

A landmark Supreme Court ruling in which the Court intervened to block federal power encroachment upon traditional state authority.

Cooperative Federalism

A model of governance prominent since the 1930s where federal and state governments share overlapping responsibilities rather than operating in completely separate spheres.

New Federalism

A political movement since the 1970s aimed at decentralizing power and returning policy responsibilities from the federal government to the states.

Death Penalty Status Across States

An illustration of state autonomy where capital punishment remains legal in 27 states and has been abolished in 23 states.

State Tax Variations

An indicator of state financial sovereignty; for example, Texas imposes no state taxation, whereas California sets state taxation at 13.3%.

Marijuana Legal Status (State Level)

A demonstration of state rights where 23 states and Washington, DC have legalized recreational use, and 38 states maintain legal medical marijuana programs.

Article 1 Election Governance

Constitutional provision allowing states to run elections, set district boundaries, and choose voting mechanisms (paper, mail, or electronic).

Gavin Newsom

Democratic Governor of California who utilized state Tenth Amendment authority to issue the nation's first statewide business closure order during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Department of Homeland Security

A cabinet department created following 9/11 that expanded federal authority over state and local law enforcement and terror response.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Federal agency that state governments depend on during natural disaster relief, such as receiving approximately $120 billion for Hurricane Katrina relief.

CARES Act (2020)

A $2.2 trillion federal economic relief package passed during the Covid-19 pandemic to address public health and economic impacts at the state level.