Key Federalism Court Cases to Know for State Politics and the American Federal System

Key federalism court cases shape the balance of power between state and federal governments. These rulings clarify federal authority, state sovereignty, and the limits of government intervention, impacting how states navigate their policies within the American federal system.

1. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

   • Established the principle of federal supremacy over state laws.
   • Confirmed the constitutionality of the Second Bank of the United States.
   • Introduced the doctrine of implied powers, allowing Congress to use powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution.

2. Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

   • Clarified the scope of Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce.
   • Struck down state-granted monopolies that interfered with federal regulation.
   • Reinforced the idea that federal law takes precedence over state law in matters of interstate commerce.

3. Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

   • Ruled that African Americans could not be considered citizens and therefore had no standing to sue.
   • Declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, exacerbating sectional tensions.
   • Highlighted the limitations of federal power in regulating slavery in the territories.

4. United States v. Lopez (1995)

   • Limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause by ruling that the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded federal authority.
   • Established a distinction between local and national concerns in federal regulation.
   • Set a precedent for states' rights in areas traditionally governed by state law.

5. Printz v. United States (1997)

   • Held that the federal government cannot compel state officers to enforce federal laws.
   • Reinforced the principle of state sovereignty in the federal system.
   • Addressed the limits of federal power in relation to state authority.

6. South Dakota v. Dole (1987)

   • Upheld the federal government's ability to condition funding to states on compliance with federal regulations.
   • Established guidelines for the use of conditional grants to influence state policy.
   • Clarified the balance between federal incentives and state autonomy.

7. National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius (2012)

   • Upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate as a tax.
   • Limited Congress's ability to compel states to expand Medicaid under the threat of losing federal funding.
   • Highlighted the tension between federal mandates and state rights in healthcare policy.

8. Garcia v. San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Authority (1985)

   • Affirmed that states are subject to federal wage and hour laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
   • Rejected the argument that state sovereignty protects state agencies from federal regulation.
   • Reinforced the federal government's authority over state employment practices.

9. United States v. Morrison (2000)

   • Struck down parts of the Violence Against Women Act, ruling that Congress exceeded its authority under the Commerce Clause.
   • Emphasized the limits of federal power in addressing local crimes.
   • Supported the principle of state control over criminal law enforcement.

10. New York v. United States (1992)

    • Ruled that the federal government cannot compel states to enact or enforce federal regulatory programs.
    • Reinforced the concept of state sovereignty and the limits of federal authority.
    • Established that states have the right to make their own policy decisions without federal coercion.