Which of the following is NOT a concurrent power?

Which of the following is NOT a concurrent power?

• A. Regulating interstate commerce
• B. Raising revenue through taxes
• C. Admitting new states
• D. Enforcing laws

Answer: (C)

Concurrent powers are those powers that are shared by both the national and state governments. These include the ability to raise revenue through taxes, enforce laws, and regulate interstate commerce. Each of these activities reflects areas where both levels of government can legislate and act in their respective jurisdictions. Admitting new states, however, is a power exclusively held by the national government. The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the authority to admit new states to the Union, a process that includes several specific requirements and is not a power that states can exercise independently. Therefore, this option correctly identifies a power that is not concurrent. Understanding the distinction between powers reserved to the states and those held solely by the federal government is crucial to grasping the structure of American federalism.

Concurrent powers are those powers that are shared by both the national and state governments. These include the ability to raise revenue through taxes, enforce laws, and regulate interstate commerce. Each of these activities reflects areas where both levels of government can legislate and act in their respective jurisdictions.

Admitting new states, however, is a power exclusively held by the national government. The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the authority to admit new states to the Union, a process that includes several specific requirements and is not a power that states can exercise independently. Therefore, this option correctly identifies a power that is not concurrent. Understanding the distinction between powers reserved to the states and those held solely by the federal government is crucial to grasping the structure of American federalism.