Federal vs. State Power: A Comparative Analysis of SCOTUS Cases

In the landmark Supreme Court case McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), the Court affirmed the supremacy of federal law over state law and the implied powers of Congress under the Necessary and Proper Clause. In contrast, the case United States v. Lopez (1995) emphasized the limits of federal power, ruling that the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause.

Evaluate the constitutional principles illustrated in each of these cases. Discuss how the rulings reflect differing interpretations of the balance of power between the federal government and the states, including references to necessary clauses in the Constitution and the implications of each decision on federalism.