Federalism Court Cases

When did McCulloch v. Maryland take place?

1819

Constitutional Question from McCulloch v. Maryland

1. Did Congress have the authority to establish the bank?

2. Did Maryland interfere with congressional powers?

McCulloch v. Maryland ruling

The courts sided with the federal government, and said that states do NOT have any authority to tax any federal instrument (ex. Bank) under the necessary and proper clauses in the Constitution

How did McCulloch v. Maryland go to court?

The Second Bank of the United States was mandated by congress. Maryland passed a legislation that put additional waxes on top of the bank. James McCulloch, who was a cashier at the bank, refused to pay that tax

When did Gibbons v. Ogden occur?

1824

How did Gibbons v. Ogden make it to court?

Gibbons and Ogden, two rival steamboat operators, both worked the same route between New York and New Jersey. The two operated under two different permits, Gibbons from the federal government, and Ogden from the State government.

Constitution Question from Gibbons v. Ogden

Did the State of New York excessive authority in a realm reserved exclusively to congress, namely, the regulation of interstate commerce?

How did Gibbons v. Ogden rule?

The final ruling went to the federal government, and that Congress had the power to regulate interstate trade on both land and sea.

What did Gibbons v. Ogden help establish?

This case helps establish and define commerce, and stretches the commerce clause.

When did Bibb v. Navajo Freight Lines occur?

1959

What lead Bibb v. Navajo to go to court?

The state of Illinois’s government decided to require all truck drivers and trailer s to drive with protective mudguards on the highway. The government thought this would be protecting other motorists by using the guards to protect against debris.

Constitution question form Bibb v. Navajo

Did the law requiring a certain type of mudguard on all trucks traveling on Illinois state highways violate the Commerce Clause of the Constitution?

How did Bibb v. Navajo rule?

This cased ruled in favor of the federal government, stating that Illinois did not have the Constitutional right to regulate all trucks that drove through their state, because this would become a burden on truck drivers living outside of Illinois.

When did Heart of Atlanta Motel v. US occur?

1964

How did Heart of Atlanta Motel v. US get to court?

When Article 2 was passed, public accommodations were no longer able to discriminate against customers based off their race. The Heart of Atlanta Motel, however, chose to ignore this rule.

Constitutional question for Heart of Atlanta Motel vs. US

Did congress, in passing Title 2 of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, exceed its commerce clause powers by depriving motels, such as the Heart of Atlanta, of the right to choose their own customers?

How did the Heart of Atlanta v. US rule?

Ruled in favor of the federal government, stating that congress had not exceeded its powers with the Commerce Clause. Public accommodation locations do not have the right to choose their guests as they see fit.

(Congress can regulate the “flow of people”)

When did South Dakota v. Dole take place?

1987

How did South Dakota v. Dole get to court?

Congress made a law to prevent 5% of federal highway funds to states who did not raise the federal drinking age to 21. South Dakota challenged its constitutionality because they had a drinking age of 19

Constitutional question from South Dakota v. Dole

whether or not the federal government went against the constitution, specifically the 21st amendment, by placing limitations on states’ fundings to further agendas? 

How did South Dakota v. Dole rule?

Congress can act indirectly to influence states as long as it promotes general welfare. It also ruled that the 21st amendment does not stop congress from achieving federal goals indirectly as long as the funds being withheld are “unduly coercive” (a bearable amount of funds are withheld).

When did US v. Lopez occur?

1994-1995

How did US v. Lopez make it to court?

Alfonzo Lopez, a 12th grade high school student, carried a concealed weapon into his San Antonio, Texas high school. He was charged under Texas law, however, the state charges were dropped because he broke a federal policy, the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990.

Constitutional Question from US v. Lopez

Is the 1990 Gun-Free School Zones Act, stopping people from carrying guns in a school zone, unconstitutional because it exceeds the power of Congress to legislate under the Commerce Clause?

How did US v. Lopez rule?

The courts favored with the state. In this case the power of the federal government was reduced. The courts concluded that Congress does not have authority to forbid individuals from knowingly carrying a gun in a school zone. The rights on guns were left to the states, so the federal government did not have the right to infringe upon those rights. 

When did US Term Limits v. Thornton occur?

1994-1995

How did US Term Limits v. Thornton make it to court?

The 73rd amendment was added to limit the number of terms a House of Representative Rep or Senator can run for. No laws could be made to change the laws for term limits because the state reps elected represented the federal government. The federal government also could not add a law changing term limits because they represented the states.

Constitutional question for US term limits v. Thornton

Can states alter the qualifications for congress

How did US Term Limits v. Thornton rule?

A state can not add qualifications to run for congress that are stricter than the Constitution implies, as adding any qualifications is Unconstitutional due to affecting people of different classes

When did Printz v. US occur?

1996-97

How did Printz v. US make it to court?

The Brady Handgun Violence Act required the local law officers to perform background checks on people looking to buy handguns. Two different sheriffs challenged the authority of this ruling in Montana and Arizona concurrently.

Constitutional Question from Printz v. US

Can Congress temporarily require state CLEOs to regulate handgun purchases by performing background checks called for by the Brady Bill’s handgun applicant background-checks?

How did Pritz v. US rule?

The federal government is not permitted to require states to perform background checks for handgun applicants under the necessary and proper clause. Legislation does not have the power to regulate state authorIties

When did Reno v. Condon occur?

1999-2000

How did Reno v. Condon make it to court?

The state of South Carolina was selling the information of drivers, including names, phone numbers, social security numbers and pictures. This act violates the constitution as in the preamble it states that the constitution is in place to “protect the general welfare”. The court sided with the federal government

Constitutional Question from Reno v. Condon

Does the Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 violate the constitutional principles of federalism?

How did Reno v. Condon rule?

The Federal government overruled state jurisdiction in favor of the safety and security of the people.