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Constitutional Law I
Federal Power
(States Rights I)
Feb. 8, 2006
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Theories of Federalism
Political Theory - Decentralized Govt More sensitive to heterogeneous society
More diffused & responsive; more democratic
Historical Basis - Evolution ofU.S. Govt States -> Articles of Confed. -> Constitution
The Framers splitthe atom of sovereignty
Compromises overState sovereignty
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Federal Convention of 1787
New Jersey Plan (per William Paterson):Amend the Articles to retain state sovereignty,
butto give Congress control overtrade & taxes Congress would actthroughthe States
Virginia Plan (per Edmund Randolph):
Discard the Articles; create a new constitution Congress would legislate directly, bypassingthe states
ConnecticutPlan (per RogerSherman):Modified Virginia plan w/ bicameral legislature Equal state representationinSenate; proportional in
House
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Why an Enumeration?
State jealousies (loyalties) disfavoredindefinite powers innational govt
Framers thoughtthatsome matters reqd
national attention Commoninterests ofthe Union (national power)
Where states were incompetent
Defense, safety, liberty, commerce, banking, intl relations
Separate interests ofthe States (state power)
Internal (police)
Necessary & Properclause
Madison: to provide ample means w/in stated powers
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Questions re. Divided Powers
Whatis the scope of federal power? Narrow vs. broad reading of federal power
So as to include/exclude the thing beingregulated
Whatresidual powers do the states enjoy?
Is grantofpowerto cong. exclusive/concurrent
Can fed govtregulate the states? Vice versa?
Are states proper objects ofregn, like persons?
Are states subjectto suit forviolating fed law?
Does the historical practice of state sovereignimmunity survive the constitutions ratification?
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A little bankinghistory
Pre-constitution State banks issued coin & currency
Constitution (1787)
States prohibited to issue currency (ArtI, 10) Pre-constl war debts remainvalid (Art. VI, 1)
FirstBank ofthe United States (1791)
Established by Congress to pay war debtandcreate standard form ofcurrency
Charter lapses in 1811
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Spring, 2005 Con Law I - Manheim 8First Bank of the United States, Phil.
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A little bankinghistory
Second Bank ofthe United States (1816) Congress had difficulty financing war of 1812
2d Bankchartered in 1816
Upheld in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) andagainin Osborne v. Bank ofUS (1824)
States claimed itwas aninstrumentof federalcontrol & easterncommercial interests
Andrew Jackson vetoes bankrenewal in 1832;removes federal deposits
Fed charter lapses in 1836; chartered by Penn.
Bank fails in 1841
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2nd Bankof theUnitedStatesPhil. PA
tickets
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A little bankinghistory
Late 19th Century No central bank free banking era
National Bank Act(1863) attemptedto create uniformnational currency& banking system
State banks issuedstate & federal currency (greenbacks)
Federal Reserve System formed in 1913
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Federal Power - Themes
Federalism Federal governmenthas limited power
enumerated inthe constitution
All governmentpowernotdelegated to thefederal governmentremains with states
Unionists (supporters ofstrongcentral
government) argue forbroad federal power
States-rights advocatesargue fornarrow federal
power
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Quick Aside - Preemption
Underthe Supremacy Clause Art. 6, 2 federal law preemptspreempts (displaces) state law
Broad federal powergives congress moreopportunityto displace state law
Narrow federal powermeans less federaldisplacementof state law
Sovereigntyis a zero-sum equation
States' Rights (and its corollary federalpower) is the oldestand most litigated ofall constitutional issues
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Subjects of Federal Power
Examine the 17 clauses in Art. I, 8Administrative items (relatingto functioning of
federal govt)
National sovereignty
foreignrelationsmilitary
Commerce & Finance taxes, banking, bankruptcy, mail, intellectl property
interstate/foreign/indiancommerce clauseThese are the greatpowers
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McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Can Marylandimpose a tax
onthe Bank ofthe UnitedStates? Maydependupon whetherthe act
establishingthe bankis constitutional
v.
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Nicholas Biddle, lastpresidentof 2nd Bank ofUS
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McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Has congress powerto incorporate abank? (2nd Bank ofthe UnitedStates)
Notamongthe 17 grants ofpowerin 8
Theories ofinterpretation Textualism (strictly construed)
OriginalIntent
Dynamic
Non-interpretivism
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McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Where is the locus of sovereigntyinthe US The States
Supreme dominion fedlgovtis subordinate
If so, delegation ofpowers construednarrowly
In favor ofthe true sovereign the States
The People
PopularSovereignty over both state & fedlgovts
If so, no preference givento state power over fedl
Notdelegation ofpower from states, butgrant frompeople
Constructionin favor of state poweris notappropriate
Is Marshalls conclusion supportedbyhistory?
THIS IS THE SINGLE
MOST
CONTE
NT
IOUSCONSTITUTIONALLAW QUESTIONTHROUGHOUT
AMERICAN HISTORY
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Doctrine of Enumerated Powers
Fed'l gov'tcan exercise "onlythe powersgranted to it"
"Butthe questionrespectingthe extentofthepowers actuallygranted, is perpetually arising,
and will probablycontinue to arise, so long asour system shall exist."
"the governmentofthe Union, though limitedinits powers, is supreme withinits sphere ofaction"
Read non-delegated powers narrowlyRead delegated powers broadly
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Doctrine of Implied Powers
In additionto powers expresslygranted,fed govtmay exercise "incidental power"
Theoretical support for doctrine
Fed'l gov'tis supreme within sphere ofpower No exclusion ofimplied powers
Compare 10thAmd w/Articles of Confederation
The powers notdelegated to the
United States bythe Constitution,norprohbiited byitto the States,are reserved to the Statesrespectively, orto the people.
EachState retains its sovereignty,
freedom and independence, andeverypower, jurisdiction and right,whichis notbythis confederationexpressly delegated to the UnitedStates, in Congress assembled.
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Doctrine of Implied Powers
Theoretical support for doctrine Fed'l gov'tis supreme within sphere ofpower
No exclusion ofimplied powers
Compare 10thAmd w/ Articles of Confederation
Express limitation ofpower ( 9; Bill of Rights)
Greatpowers need ample means for execution
Source ofpower
"Itis a constitution we are expounding"
The Migration or Importation of[slaves] shall notbe prohibitedbythe Congress priorto 1808
Congress shall make nolaw respecting anestablishmentofreligion
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Doctrine of Implied Powers
Textual support for doctrine Necessary and Proper Clause
Art. I, 8, 18:
"To make all Laws which shallbe
necessaryand properforcarrying intoExecutionthe foregoing Powers"
Is this a term of
limitation orexpansion?
Mustbe?Could be?
Who decides?
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Doctrine of Implied Powers
Textual support for doctrine Necessary and Proper Clause
Art. I, 8, 18:
"To make allLawswhichshallbe
necessaryand properforcarrying intoExecutionthe foregoing Powers"
Thisclause isplaced in 8, not 9
Congressshallhave power ..
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McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Bank ofthe UnitedStates Incidentalto whichgreatpowers?
Lay & collecttaxes
Borrow money
Regulate commerce
Supportarmies andnavies
A "necessary andproper" means to anypower?
Ifthere is one andonly one necessarymean, whodecides whatitis?
Ifthe S.Ct, haventwe renderedcongress irrelevant?
If congress, haven'twe explodedthe N&P clause?
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McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Theories ofinterpretation
Textualism
OriginalIntent
Dynamic Non-
interpretivism
Marshall's Opinion N&P clause has flexible meaning
structure supports broadscope
Failure of Articles, avoidembarassment
Earlypractice (1stbank) andConst"intendedto endure forages to come [and]be adaptedto the various crises ofhuman
affairs" Theoretical justification for
broad federalpower
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Marshalls Test
Letthe endbe legitimate, letitbe withinthescope ofthe constitution, andall means whichare appropriate, which are plainly adaptedtothatend, which are notprohibited, butconsist
withthe letter andspiritofthe constitution, areconstitutional
ENDS mustbe enumerated
MEANS mustbe plainly adapted(reasonable) Cannottransgress prohibition intext
Rational Basis test
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Jacksons Veto Message (1832)A bank of the United States is in many
respects convenient for the Government and
for the people. [Yet] some of the powers and
privileges possessed by the existing bank are
unauthorized by the Constitution, subversive
of the rights of the States, and dangerous tothe liberties of the people. I sincerely regret
that in the act before me I can perceive none
of those modifications of the bank charter
which are necessary, in my opinion, to make it
compatible with justice, with sound policy, or
with the Constitution of our country.
How can he declare the bank unnecessary after McCulloch?
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Federal Power - Themes
Separation of Powers The powers ofthe federal governmentare
subdivided into three distinctbranches
Eachuniquelyconstituted, as to respond todifferentinterests & constituencies
Active use of judicialreview transfers power
fromthe politicalbranches to the courts
Restrained judicialreview keeps federalcourts frommeddling
into political affairs
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Separation of Powers
How does Courts interpretation ofNecessary and Properclause affecttheseparation ofpowers inthe federal govt? the degree of [the laws] necessity is to be
discussed inanother place.
Where the law is notprohibited, and is reallycalculatedto effectany ofthe objects entrusted to the govt, toundertake here to inquire into the degree ofits
necessity, would be to pass the line whichcircumscribes the judicial dept, and to tread onlegislative ground.
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Original Supreme Court basement of the Capitol
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Marylands Tax on Bank ofUS
Where do states getthe powerto tax?Does the const. explicitly withdraw this?
See Art. I Sec. 10, par. 2 & 3.
"No State shall, withoutthe ConsentoftheCongress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports orExports, exceptwhatmay be absolutelynecessaryfor executingits inspection laws "
Does the Tax conflictwith federal law? Express conflicts
Implied conflicts
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On JustTheory ...
Taxation of foreign objects Taxation withoutrepresentation
Non-discriminatorytaxes
virtual voice theory ofrepresentation
Modernrule
No state taxes on federal instrumentalities
Taxes permitted on employees/contractors
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Practice Questions
1. Congress enacts a law banningthe cloning ofhuman beings? Is the law constitutional?a. Whatenumerated powercould congress use?
b. Who decides ifthe law is necessary orproper?
c. Does the law infringe upon state power?d. Whichtheory ofinterpretation would most likely
uphold the law?
2. Same questions re. a federal law (notconstl
amendment) definingmarriage as a solemnunion betweenpersons ofthe opposite sex.