📜Ninth and Tenth Amendments: Powers Reserved to the People and States

NINTH AMENDMENT

"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."

Ninth AmendmentLII / Legal Information Institute

The Unseen Shield of Liberty

The Ninth Amendment is a powerful affirmation of the people's rights, serving as an unseen shield against the overreach of federal power. It boldly states that just because a right isn't listed in the Constitution doesn't mean it doesn't exist. This amendment is a cornerstone for conservatives, emphasizing that our liberties are vast and not confined to government documents.

TENTH AMENDMENT

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."

Tenth AmendmentLII / Legal Information Institute

The Bedrock of Federalism

The Tenth Amendment is the bedrock of American federalism, ensuring that powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people. This principle is crucial in conservative philosophy, which champions state sovereignty and local governance over centralized authority. It underscores the belief in a limited federal government, ensuring a balance of power that protects individual freedoms and state rights.