What does the Tenth Amendment state regarding powers not mentioned in the Constitution?

The Tenth Amendment is a crucial part of the Bill of Rights that emphasizes the principle of federalism in the United States. It states that powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states by it, are reserved for the states or the people. This clearly establishes that any authority not explicitly granted to the federal government remains with the individual states or the citizens themselves, thus protecting state sovereignty and individual rights. This provision serves to limit the reach of federal power and reinforces the idea that the federal government is one of limited, enumerated powers, while the states retain broader powers unless specifically restricted by the Constitution.

The other options misinterpret the Tenth Amendment’s principles. Powers are not retained by the federal government, nor do they automatically go to the Supreme Court, nor are they altogether prohibited to the states. The Tenth Amendment represents a balance between federal authority and state autonomy, ensuring that states have the right to exercise powers that the federal government does not claim.