What does the Tenth Amendment state about powers?

The Tenth Amendment is a fundamental part of the Bill of Rights that underscores the principle of federalism in the United States Constitution. It asserts that any powers that are not specifically granted to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people. This provision aims to limit the scope of federal authority and ensure a balance between national and state powers.

By stating that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved, the amendment bolsters the rights of states and reflects the framers' intention to emphasize the importance of state sovereignty within the federal system. It reinforces the concept that the federal government possesses only those powers that are expressly defined in the Constitution, thereby allowing states to exercise their powers in areas that are not preempted by federal law. This allocation of powers is central to maintaining a system of governance where authority is shared, rather than being concentrated solely at the national level.

The other options do not accurately reflect the intent and language of the Tenth Amendment. For instance, the notion of power being divided equally between states and the federal government misrepresents the nature of the division, and claiming that powers are solely granted to the federal government overlooks the crucial reservations made for state and individual powers that the Tenth Amendment explicitly protects.