What power is reserved to the states by the 10th Amendment?

The correct answer is rooted in the understanding of federalism and the design of the U.S. Constitution, particularly the 10th Amendment. This amendment clearly states 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 means that states have the authority to enact laws and govern in areas that do not fall under federal jurisdiction, as long as they are not in conflict with federal laws. This includes a wide range of issues such as education, local law enforcement, and health regulations, giving states the flexibility to address specific needs within their communities.

The other choices pertain to powers specifically assigned to either the federal government or certain established roles that do not fall under state authority. For instance, the power to collect taxes and the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations are explicitly granted to the federal government. Similarly, the power to print currency is a federal function, entrusted to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Therefore, the states’ ability to enact their own laws in the absence of federal focus illustrates the fundamental principle of state sovereignty as outlined in the 10th Amendment.