How has the Supreme Court interpreted the scope of federal power under the US Constitution?

The US Supreme Court plays an important role in interpreting the scope of federal power under the US Constitution. The Supreme Court has developed the idea of implied powers through its rulings, which means that the federal government can use its enumerated powers to address national issues. This concept is known as the elastic clause, which gives the federal government broad powers to pass laws that are "necessary and proper" to carry out its duties. The Supreme Court also looks at the structure and language of the Constitution to determine the limitations of federal power. For example, in the case McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), the Supreme Court determined that Congress had implied power to incorporate a bank, even though there was no specific power to do so named in the Constitution. This ruling established the precedent that the federal government had the authority to regulate commerce and businesses. Additionally, the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution establishes that all federal laws are superior to state laws. This means that when federal laws are in conflict with state laws, the federal law is the one that must be followed. The Supreme Court is tasked with protecting the rights of individuals from being infringed upon by the federal government. The Court has used the 14th Amendment to ensure that state and federal governments are not violating the rights of citizens. The Court has also interpreted the meaning of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to protect citizens from discrimination based on race, gender, or national origin. Overall, the US Supreme Court plays an important role in interpreting the scope of federal power under the US Constitution. By examining the language of the Constitution and enforcing the Supremacy Clause, the Court has established and clarified the limitations of federal power. This ensures that the federal government doesn’t exceed its authority and that individuals are protected from violations of their constitutional rights.

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How has the Supreme Court interpreted the scope of federal power under the US Constitution?

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