What does Amendment 10 address?

Amendment 10 of the United States Constitution addresses the powers and rights of the states. It asserts that any powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved for the states or the people. This is significant as it reinforces the principle of federalism, indicating that the federal government has only the powers that are specifically granted to it, while all other powers and rights are reserved for the states and the citizens. This amendment promotes the idea that states have their own sovereignty and authority to legislate on matters that are not expressly covered by federal law, thus ensuring a balance between state and federal power.

Understanding the scope of this amendment is essential for comprehending the framework of governance in the United States, particularly how it delineates the boundaries of authority between state and national entities.