Which amendment states that powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution are reserved to the states or to the people?

Which amendment states that powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution are reserved to the states or to the people?

• A. The Ninth Amendment
• B. The First Amendment
• C. The Tenth Amendment
• D. The Eighth Amendment

Answer: (C)

Power distribution between the national government and the states is being tested. The Tenth Amendment states that powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. That language directly sets aside any unassigned authority to the states or the people, which is exactly what the question describes. The Ninth Amendment covers rights kept by the people, but not the division of power between federal and state governments. The First Amendment protects freedoms, and the Eighth Amendment deals with punishment. So this amendment is the one that explicitly reserves those unassigned powers to the states or the people.

Power distribution between the national government and the states is being tested. The Tenth Amendment states that powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. That language directly sets aside any unassigned authority to the states or the people, which is exactly what the question describes. The Ninth Amendment covers rights kept by the people, but not the division of power between federal and state governments. The First Amendment protects freedoms, and the Eighth Amendment deals with punishment. So this amendment is the one that explicitly reserves those unassigned powers to the states or the people.