What are reserved powers in the context of U.S. government?

Reserved powers refer to the political powers that are not expressly delegated or prohibited by the Constitution to the federal government. Instead, these powers are retained by the states and the people. This concept is rooted in the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states that 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.

This principle is essential to understanding the balance of power within the U.S. federal system, where states have jurisdiction over a wide array of issues that can include education, transportation, and law enforcement, among others. This distinction is crucial in ensuring that states maintain autonomy and can govern local matters effectively.

The other choices do not fit the definition of reserved powers. For instance, powers granted only to the President are not reserved powers but are specific to the executive branch. Similarly, powers granted to foreign governments do not relate to the reserved authority of states within the domestic framework of U.S. governance. Lastly, the idea that reserved powers can never be changed contradicts the dynamic nature of law and governance, as laws and powers can evolve over time through amendments or legal interpretations.