Court Cases

Question 1

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Answer 1

Court strikes down a federal law prohibiting possession of firearms near public schools. First time since World War II that Court placed limits on Congress’s powers under the interstate commerce clause.

Question 2

Seminole Tribe of Florida v. Florida (1996)

Answer 2

Court rules Congress cannot allow citizens to sue states in a federal court except for civil rights violations. State claim upheld.

Question 3

Printz v. United States (1997)

Answer 3

Court strikes down a federal law requiring mandatory background checks for firearms purchases. State claim upheld.

Question 4

Alden v. Maine (1999)

Answer 4

Court rules that Congress does not have the power to authorize citizens to sue in state court on the basis of federal claims. State claim upheld.

Question 5

United States v. Morrison (2000)

Answer 5

Court strikes down the federal Violence Against Women Act. State claim upheld.

Question 6

Reno v. Condon (2000)

Answer 6

Court upholds a federal law preventing states from selling driver’s license information. State claim overturned.

Question 7

Bush v. Gore (2000)

Answer 7

Court overrules a Florida Supreme Court action allowing hand recounts of contested election ballots. State claim overturned

Question 8

Alabama v. Garrett (2001)

Answer 8

Court rules that state employees cannot sue their employers in federal court to recover monetary damages under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. State claim upheld.

Question 9

Lorillard Tobacco Co. v. Reilly (2001)

Answer 9

Court strikes down Massachusetts laws regulating the advertising of tobacco products. State claim overturned.

Question 10

Kelo v. City of New London (2005)

Answer 10

Court rules that government can seize private property for public purposes, including economic development. State claim upheld.

Question 11

Gonzales v. Raich (2005)

Answer 11

Court rules that federal laws outlawing marijuana possession can be upheld by federal law enforcement officers in states where medical marijuana has been legalized. State law enforcement groups, however, do not have to participate in federal efforts to seize marijuana.

Question 12

Gonzales v. Oregon (2006)

Answer 12

Court rules that the U.S. attorney general overstepped his authority by threatening to eliminate prescription-writing privileges for doctors who follow state law allowing physician-assisted suicide. State claim upheld.

Question 13

Arizona v. United States (2012)

Answer 13

Court rules that states do not have the authority to enact and enforce immigration laws; however, it allows states to implement “show me your papers” regulations that require law enforcement officers to determine the immigration status of anyone they stop or detain.

Question 14

National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius (2012)

Answer 14

Court rules that the federal government can require individuals to purchase health insurance and that doing so does not violate powers reserved to the states under the Tenth Amendment.

Question 15

Environmental Protection Agency v. EME Homer City Generation (2014)

Answer 15

Court rules that the Environmental Protection Agency can regulate greenhouse gas emissions over the opposition of state governments.

Question 16

Rucho v. Common Cause (2019)

Answer 16

Court rules that federal courts cannot review challenges to partisan gerrymandering by states.

Question 17

Dobbs v. Jackson (2022)

Answer 17

Court overturns constitutional right to abortion access, effectively making the right to choose a matter of state law rather than a constitutionally protected right.