What powers does the Constitution deny to the federal government?
Asked by: Creola Renner | Last update: February 12, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (2 votes)
The U.S. Constitution denies the federal government powers like suspending habeas corpus (except in emergencies), passing bills of attainder or ex post facto laws, granting titles of nobility, taxing exports, keeping standing armies without consent, and interfering with state powers not delegated to it (Tenth Amendment), ensuring rights like free speech, press, and due process (First-Fourth Amendments) are protected from federal overreach.
What are some powers that the Constitution denies to the federal government?
Section 9 Powers Denied Congress
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed. No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken. No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
What power does not belong to the federal government?
Reserved Powers
States hold any power that the Constitution has not assigned to the federal government or disallowed. Examples include: Creating local governments. Regulating intrastate commerce (within a state)
Where in the Constitution are powers specifically denied to the state governments?
Amendment Ten to the Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1791. It makes clear that any powers that are not specifically given to the federal government, nor withheld from the states, are reserved to those respective states, or to the people at large.
What are three ways the Constitution limits the power of the federal government?
Checks and Balances. The Constitution divided the Government into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. That was an important decision because it gave specific powers to each branch and set up something called checks and balances.
What powers does the Constitution grant to the national government to protect civil rights?
What are the 5 limits on government?
Five key limits on government power are the Constitution, Rule of Law, Separation of Powers, Consent of the Governed, and Rights of the Minority, all designed to prevent abuse by establishing rules, dividing authority, ensuring public approval, and protecting individual freedoms from majority rule. These principles ensure government is accountable and serves its people, rather than ruling over them.
What are the limited powers of the federal government?
Federal power is limited. If there is no interstate commerce involved and the matter does not involve individual rights under the Constitution, the states have the right to control their affairs. The federal government also has very limited authority to commandeer state personnel to enforce federal law.
Which power does the Constitution specifically deny to state governments?
No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title ...
What does article 7 of the US Constitution say?
Article VII of the U.S. Constitution is about the ratification process, stating that nine of the thirteen states needed to approve it through special state conventions for the Constitution to become the law of the land, replacing the Articles of Confederation. It established the conditions for the new government to take effect and included the date the Constitution was signed (September 17, 1787).
What gives states powers that are not specifically given to the federal government?
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
What is a power that the federal government has but the States do not?
Only the federal government can coin money, regulate the mail, declare war, or conduct foreign affairs.
Which of the following are powers given only to states, not the federal government?
The Tenth Amendment reserves powers to the states, as long as those powers are not delegated to the federal government. Among other powers, this includes creating school systems, overseeing state courts, creating public safety systems, managing business and trade within the state, and managing local government.
What does the 8th Amendment protect against?
The Eighth Amendment protects against excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments, ensuring that penalties are not unduly harsh or disproportionate to the crime, and that basic human dignity is maintained in the justice system, applying to both pretrial conditions and post-conviction sentences.
Which power does not belong to the federal government?
The power that does not belong to the federal government is reserved power. These powers, defined by the Tenth Amendment, are left for the states or the people. Therefore, the answer is D. reserved.
What are three rights not listed in the Constitution?
The Supreme Court has found that unenumerated rights include such important rights as the right to travel, the right to vote, and the right to keep personal matters private. State constitutions have also been interpreted to protect unenumerated rights.
What are the 4 types of constitutional powers?
The four main types of constitutional powers in the U.S. system, dividing authority between federal and state governments, are Enumerated (Expressed) (specifically listed, like taxing), Implied (not listed but necessary, via the Necessary & Proper Clause, like national bank), Concurrent (shared by federal/state, like taxing), and Reserved (held by states, 10th Amendment, like education), alongside Denied Powers (forbidden to government).
Is God mentioned in the US Constitution?
No, the U.S. Constitution does not explicitly mention God, Jesus, or Christianity; its framework is secular, focusing on governmental structure, though it mentions "religion" in the First Amendment to protect religious freedom and prohibit an established religion. The only divine reference is in the signing date, "in the Year of our Lord," a common phrase of the era, not a theological statement, notes TCU Magazine.
What does the 14th Amendment say?
The 14th Amendment defines U.S. citizenship (birthright citizenship), guarantees all citizens "equal protection of the laws," and ensures states can't deprive anyone of "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law," incorporating fundamental rights against states, and also disqualifies rebels from office. It was crucial for civil rights, extending federal protections to formerly enslaved people and ensuring equality under the law.
What is the Article 1 Section 2 Clause 3?
Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, ...
What are some powers denied to the federal and state governments?
Powers Denied to Both the National and State Governments
Issue bills of attainder. Pass ex post facto laws. Levy export taxes. Deny the writ of habeas corpus.
What power is given only to the federal government?
They include the authority to levy and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises; to pay debts; to provide for the common defense and general welfare; to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states; to establish lower federal courts; to coin money; to raise and support armed forces; to declare war; ...
Which two states rejected the Constitution?
The two states that initially voted against ratifying the U.S. Constitution were North Carolina and Rhode Island, both holding out until after the new government was established, with Rhode Island refusing to send delegates and North Carolina delaying ratification until a Bill of Rights was promised.
What are three ways the Constitution limits power?
The Constitution of the United States divides the federal government into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. This ensures that no individual or group will have too much power.
What does article 1 section 8 of the Constitution say?
Section 8: Powers of Congress
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
What does Article 3 Section 2 Clause 3 mean?
Article III, Section 2, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution guarantees a jury trial for all federal criminal cases, except impeachment, ensuring the trial occurs in the state where the crime was committed, or as Congress directs if outside a state, protecting citizens from being tried far from home for federal crimes.