Abstract
The current system of federalism in the United States is the most complex one in the world. It stands in sharp contrast to the relatively simple system during the early decades following the American inauguration of federalism in 1789 when interactions between the national government and the states mainly comprised the election of two U.S. Senators and members of the Electoral College by each State Legislature and state conduct of elections for members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The theory of dual federalism adequately explains this early phase of the system.
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Notes
1 Stat. 54 (1789); Copyright Act of 1790, 1 Stat. 124, 17 U.S.C.§101; and Pcttent Act of 1790, 1 Stat. 109, 35 U.S.C.§1.
Bankruptcy Act of 1843, 5 Stat. 440; Interstate Communiccttions Act of 1866, 14 Stat. 66, 45 U.S.C. §84.
U. S. Constitution, Art. I, §4; Art. II, §1; Art. V; Twenty-First Amendment.
Joseph F. Zimmerman, Interstate Cooperation: Compacts and Administrative Agreements (Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, 2002).
For additional details, consult Colin Pickington, Devolution in Britain Today (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2002); and Vernon Bogdanor, Devolution in the United Kingdom, new ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001).
1 Stat. 54 (1789).
Shipping Statute of 1983, 97 Stat. 553, 46 U.S.C. §8501.
Port and Tanker Safety Act of 1978, 92 Stat. 1475–476, 33 U.S.C. §1226.
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1984, 98 Stat. 2862, 46 U.S.C. §2302(c).
“Adoption of State Blood Alcohol Concentration Levels,” 33 CFR §95.025 (1987). For an explanation of the standards, consult the Federal Register, December 4, 1987, 47526–47532.
Paul v. Virginia, 75 U.S. 168, 8 Wall 168 (1868).
United States v. South-Eastern Underwriters Association, 322 U.S. 533, 64 S.Ct. 533 (1944).
McCarran-Ferguson Act of 1945, 59 Stat. 33, 15 U.S.C. §1011.
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act of 1999, 113 Stat. 1353, 11422, 15 U.S.C. §§6701(d)(2)(A), 6751.
Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, 116 Stat. 2322, 15 U.S.C. §6701.
Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2005, 119 Stat. 2660, 15 U.S.C. §6701.
“Members Certify GLBA Reciprocity Requirement Met,” a news release issued by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, September 11, 2002.
Joseph F. Zimmerman, “Achieving State Insurance Uniformity: The Interstate Compact,” a paper presented at an Interstate Compact Symposium: Strengthening State Regulation of Insurance, San Diego, California, December 7, 2002.
Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, 98 Stat. 2792, 47 U.S.C. §546.
Ibid.
State and Local Enforcement of Federal Communications Commission Regulations on Use of Citizens Band Radio Equipment Act of 2000, 114 Stat. 2438, 47 U.S.C. §302(a)(f)(1).
National Firearms Act of 1934, 48 Stat. 1236.
Sonzinsky v. United States, 300 U.S. 506 at 513–14, 57 S.Ct. 554 at 556.
Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 108 Stat. 2012–013, 26 U.S.C. §5802, 18 U.S.C. §923(d)(1)(F).
Johnson Act of 1951, 64 Stat. 1134 (1951), 15 U.S.C. §1172.
Revenue Act of 1951, 65 Stat. 452, 26 U.S.C. §3285.
United States v. Kahriger, 345 U.S. 22 at 28, 32, 73 S.Ct. 510 at 513, 515.
Marchetti v. United States 390 U.S. 39 at 49, 83 S.Ct. 697 at 703 (1968).
Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978, 92 Stat. 1813, 15 U.S.C. §3004.
Kentucky Division, Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, Incorporated v. Turfway Park RacingAssociation, 832 F. Supp.1097 (E.D. KY, 1993).
Kentucky Division, Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, Incorporated v. Turfway Park Racing Association, 20 F.3d 1406 at 1416–417 (6th Cir. 1994).
Cabazon Band of Mission Indians v. California, 480 U.S. 202, 107 S.Ct. 1083 (1987).
Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, 102 Stat. 2467, 25 U.S.C. §2710.
Seminole Tribe of Florida v. Florida, 517 U.S. 44 at 76, 116 S.Ct. 1114 at 1133 (1996).
Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, 106 Stat. 4228, 28 U.S.C. §3702.
Coast Guard Authorization act of 1996,110 Stat. 3901, 15 U.S.C. §§1175(b) (1)(C), 1175(b)(1)(c)(A). See also the Johnson Act of 1951, 64 Stat. 1134, 15 U.S.C. §1172.
Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 108 Stat. 2126, 18 U.S.C. §1301.
Low Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act of 1980, 94 Stat. 3347, 42 U.S.C. §2021d.
Consult Joseph F. Zimmerman, Congressional Preemption: Regulatory Federalism (Albany: State University of New York Press, 2005), 108–115, 151, 187–188, 190.
Water Quality Act of 1965, 79 Stat. 903, 33 U.S.C. §1151; Air Quality Act of 1967 81 Stat. 485, 42 U.S.C. §1857; Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, 88 Stat. 1665, 42 U.S.C. §201; and Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, 91 Stat. 445, 30 U.S.C. §1201.
National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, 80 Stat. 719, 15 U.S.C. §1392(d).
Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970, 84 Stat. 971, 45 U.S.C. §431.
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 84 Stat. 1608, 29 U.S.C. §607.
Toxic Substances Control Act of 1978, 90 Stat. 2038, 15 U.S.C. §2617.
Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, 92 Stat. 3409, 15 U.S.C. §3431.
Port and Tanker Safety Act of 1978, 92 Stat. 1475, 33 U.S.C. §1225.
Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, 105 Stat. 2400, 47 U.S.C. §227(e).
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993,107 Stat. 26, 29 U.S.C. §2651.
Armored Car Industry Reciprocity Act of 1993, 107 Stat. 276. 15 U.S.C. §5901.
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act of 1999, 113 Stat. 1442, 15 U.S.C. §6807.
Do-Not-Call Implementation Act of 2003, 117 Stat. 557, 15 U.S.C. §6101.
Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety and Security Reauthorization Act of 2005, 119 Stat. 1895, 49 U.S.C. §5103a(g)(2).
Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005, 119 Stat. 427, 42 U.S.C. §299b-22.
1 Stat. 474 (1796).
1 Stat. 619 (1799).
1 Stat. 474 (1796), 1 Stat. 619 (1797).
20 Stat. 37 (1878).
Louisiana v. Texas et al.,176 U.S. 1 at 22–23, 20 S.Ct. 251 at 258–59 (1900). See also Joseph F. Zimmerman, Interstate Disputes: The Supreme Court’s Original Jurisdiction (Albany: State University of New York Press, 2006).
Plant Quarantine Act of 1912, 37 Stat. 315, 7 U.S.C. §151.
Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 268, 2 U.S.C. §206.
Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act of 1972, 86 Stat. 996–97, 7 U.S.C. §§136u–136v.
Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, 106 Stat. 4228, 28 U.S.C. §3704.
Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act of 1996, 110 Stat. 2937, 29 U.S.C. §1185.
Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act of 2000, 114 Stat. 467, 15 U.S.C. §7002.
Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000, 114 Stat. 2763A-436, 15 U.S.C. §28(a)(2).
Help America Vote Act of 2002, 116 Stat. 1728, 42 U.S.C. §1973gg-6(b)(2).
Real Interstate Driver Equity Act of 2002, 116 Stat. 2342, 49 U.S.C. §14501(d)(3).
Captive Wild life Safety Act of 2003, 117 Stat. 2872,16 U.S.C. §3372((2)(B).
Department of Transportation Appropriations Act of 1990, 104 Stat. 2185, 23 U.S.C. §105.
Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 108 Stat. 2352, 12 U.S.C. §215.
Voting Rights Act of 1965, 79 Stat. 437, 42 U.S.C. §1973.
Voting Rights Act of 1965, 79 Stat. 437, 42 U.S.C. §1973c. See also Joseph F. Zimmerman, “Election Systems and Representative Democracy: Reflections on the Voting Rights Act of 1965,” National Civic Review 84 (Fall/Winter 1995): 288–309.
Transportation Safety Act of 1974, 88 Stat. 2156, 49 U.S.C. §1801. See also 49 CFR §170–79.
Coastal Zone ManagementAct of 1972, 86 Stat. 1282, 16 U.S.C. §1454.
Ibid., 86 Stat. 1286, 16 U.S.C. §1456(d).
Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act of 1972, 86 Stat. 983, 7 U.S.C. §136b(2). Consult also the Emergency Energy Conservation Act of 1979, 93 Stat. 759, 42 U.S.C. §8512.
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977, 91 Stat. 722, 42 U.S.C. §7424.
Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, 86 Stat. 841, 33 U.S.C. §1151.
Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act of 1974, 88 Stat. 1046, 23 U.S.C. §154. See also 23 C.F.R. §658.6.
Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, 88 Stat. 1676, 42 U.S.C. §300h.
Wholesome Meat Act of 1967, 81 Stat. 596, 21 U.S.C. §71, and Poultry Products Inspection Act of 1968, 82 Stat. 797, 21 U.S.C. §451.
National Health Planning and Resources Development Act of 1974, 88 Stat. 2242, 42 U.S.C. §300m.
National Health Planning and Resources Development Act of 1974, 88 Stat. 2247, 42 U.S.C. §300m-3.
Highway Safety Act of 1966, 80 Stat. 731, 23 U.S.C. §402(b)(1).
“Executive Order 12140 of May 29, 1979,” Federal Register, May 3, 1979, 31159. This delegation of authority is based upon the power vested in the President by the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 [87 Stat. 627, 15 U.S.C. §751] and his inherent powers.
Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, 96 Stat. 2217, 42 U.S.C. §10125.
Yucca Mountain, Nevada, High Level Radioactive Waste Repository Act of 2002, 116 Stat. 735, 42 U.S.C. §10125.
Tandem Truck Safety Act of 1984, 98 Stat. 2384, 42 U.S.C. §2312.
Sierra Club v. Ruckelshaus, 344 F. Supp. 253 (D.D.C. 1972), and Fri v. Sierra Club, 412 U.S. 541, 93 S.Ct. 2770 (1973).
Federal Register, December 5, 1977, 61543. Consult also New York State Air Quality Implementation Plan: The Moynihan/Holtzman Amendment Submission: Transit Improvements in the New York City Metropolitan Area (Albany: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and State Department of Transportation, 1979).
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977, 91 Stat. 731, 42 U.S.C. §7470.
Federal Register, December 5, 1977, 61543. Consult also the New York State Air Quality Implementation Plan.
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, 104 Stat. 2400, 42 U.S.C. §7407(d)(1) (B)(iii).
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977, 91 Stat. 723, 42 U.S.C. §7425.
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, 104 Stat. 2419, 42 U.S.C. §7506a.
John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal year 2007, 120 Stat. 2196, 32 U.S.C. §328.
Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act of 1972, 86 Stat. 996–97, 7 U.S.C. §§136u-1336v.
Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, 105 Stat. 2400, 47 U.S.C. §227(f).
Telephone Disclosure and Disputes Resolution Act of 1992, 106 Stat. 4190, 15 U.S.C. §5712.
Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act of 1994, 108 Stat. 1548, 15 U.S.C. §6103.
111. Consumer Credit Report Reform Act of 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–451 to 3009– 453, 15 U.S.C. §1681s(2)(b–c).
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–733, 15 U.S.C. §6504.
Controlling the Assault of Non-solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003, 117 Stat. 2712, 15 U.S.C. §7706.
Junk Fax Prevention Act of2005, 119 Stat. 359, 49 U.S.0 §609.
Atomic Energy Act of 1946, 60 Stat. 755, 42 U.S.C. §2011; Atomic Energy Act of 1959, 73 Stat. 688, 42 U.S.C. §2021.
United States Grain Standards Act of 1968, 82 Stat. 769, 7 U.S.C. §71.
Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970, 84 Stat. 971, 45 U.S.C. §431.
Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, 98 Stat. 3256, 42 U.S.C. §§6297–928, 6901–991; Hazardous Materials Transportation Act Amendments of 1976, 90 Stat. 2068, 49 U.S.C. Appendix §1805c.
Age Discrimination in Employment Amendments Act of 1986, 100 Stat. 3342, 29 U.S.C. §623.
Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 104 Stat. 506, 33 U.S.C. §2719.
Anti Car Theft Act of 1992, 106 Stat. 3384, 18 U.S.C. §2119.
Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, 110 Stat. 1276, 8 U.S.C. Q1252c.
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004, 118 Stat. 1078, 46 U.S.C. §70119(a).
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© 2008 Iwan W. Morgan and Philip J. Davies
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Zimmerman, J.F. (2008). Congressional Devolution of Power. In: Morgan, I.W., Davies, P.J. (eds) The Federal Nation. Studies of the Americas. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230617254_7
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