Block Grant

Front 1

categorical grant

Back 1

Federal grants to states or local governments for specific programs or projects.

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commerce clause

Back 2

The section of the Constitution in which Congress is given the power to regulate trade among the states and with foreign countries.

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concurrent powers

Back 3

Powers held jointly by the national and state governments.

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confederal system

Back 4

A system consisting of a league of independent states, each having essentially sovereign powers. The central government created by such a league has only limited powers over the states.

Front 5

cooperative federalism

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A model of federalism in which the states and the national government cooperate in solving problems.

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devolution

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The transfer of powers from a national or central government to a state or local government.

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dual federalism

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A model of federalism that looks on national and state governments as co-equal sovereign powers. Neither the state government nor the national government should interfere in the other’s sphere.

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elastic clause, or necessary and proper clause

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The clause in Article I, Section 8, that grants Congress the power to do whatever is necessary to execute its specifically delegated powers.

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enumerated powers

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Powers specifically granted to the national government by the Constitution. The first seventeen clauses of Article I, Section 8, specify most of the enumerated powers of the national government.

Front 10

federal mandate

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A requirement in federal legislation that forces states and municipalities to comply with certain rules.