U.S. v. Lopez
Definition
U.S. v Lopez (1995) was a landmark Supreme Court case that limited the use of the Commerce Clause. The (5-4) verdict ruled that the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was unconstitutional because the U.S. Congress, in enacting the legislation, had exceeded its authority under the commerce clause. When the Gun-Free School Zone Act was passed in 1990, there were few limits on the Congress’s use of the Commerce Clause as the constitutional basis for regulation. The U.S. v. Lopez ruling set limits on the use of the Commerce Clause by the U.S. Congress.
Example
Questions
What constitutional clause does U.S. v Lopez involve?
What institution does U.S. v Lopez limit?
What constitutional principal was at the heart of U.S. v Lopez ?
Had you been on the Supreme Court how would you have ruled in U.S. v Lopez ?
Turn U.S. v Lopez into an emoji or a meme?
What would change if U.S. v Lopez were overturned by the current Supreme Court?
How did U.S. v Lopez alter federalism?
List some other significant Supreme Court cases that deal with the powers of the Commerce Clause.
In what was has the ruling in U.S. v Lopez impacted your and your education?
Do you agree with the ruling in U.S. v Lopez ?