In discussions about dividing power between national and state governments, which amendment is cited as reserving powers to the states and the people?

• A. First Amendment
• B. Tenth Amendment
• C. Fifth Amendment
• D. Ninth Amendment

Answer: (B)

Federalism and reserved powers are being tested. The amendment that explicitly reserves powers to the states and the people states that powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. This makes clear that the national government has only the powers the Constitution grants it, while all other powers belong to states or to the people. That’s why it’s cited in discussions about who holds certain authorities, such as education policy or local licensing, which are typically managed at the state level. The other amendments focus on protecting individual rights or specific federal limits, rather than laying out the general division of power between national and state governments.