The purpose of the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is to reaffirm the principle of federalism by explicitly stating that the federal government possesses only those powers delegated to it by the Constitution, while all other powers not prohibited to the states are reserved to the states or the people. This amendment was added to reassure states and limit the scope of federal authority, ensuring a balance of power between the national government and the states
. Specifically, the Tenth Amendment:
- Emphasizes that the federal government is one of limited and enumerated powers.
- Reserves all powers not granted to the federal government nor denied to the states to the states or the people.
- Serves to protect states' rights and prevent federal overreach.
- Allows states to maintain their own laws and policies, such as running elections, establishing schools, and issuing professional licenses, as long as they do not conflict with federal law
Historically, it was included in the Bill of Rights in 1791 to address Anti- Federalist concerns that the new Constitution would create an overly powerful central government. The amendment acts as a constitutional safeguard ensuring that any power not explicitly given to the federal government remains with the states or the people
. In judicial interpretation, the Tenth Amendment is often described as a "truism"-a statement affirming that the federal government has no powers beyond those delegated by the Constitution. It has been cited in Supreme Court cases to evaluate whether the federal government has exceeded its constitutional authority
. In summary, the Tenth Amendment's purpose is to limit federal power, protect state sovereignty, and maintain the federal system by reserving undelegated powers to the states or the people.
