Question

Explain in one or two sentences how the commerce clause and the Tenth Amendment illustrate the prevalence of federalism in the
Constitution.

Answer 1

The Commerce Clause (Art. I, §8) gives Congress power to regulate activity affecting interstate commerce, creating a broad national authority for matters that cross state lines, while the Tenth Amendment reserves to the states or the people all powers not delegated to the federal government. Together they embody federalism by dividing and balancing sovereignty—permitting national action where uniformity is needed and preserving state autonomy where the Constitution does not confer federal power.