SCOTUS Comparison: Marbury v. Madison and United States v. Lopez

In the landmark Supreme Court cases Marbury v. Madison (1803) and United States v. Lopez (1995), the Court addressed critical aspects of federal power and the balance between federal and state authority. Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review, fundamentally altering the relationship between the judiciary and the other branches of government. In contrast, United States v. Lopez limited the scope of Congress's power under the Commerce Clause, emphasizing the importance of state sovereignty.

With these cases in mind, analyze how the principles established in Marbury v. Madison and United States v. Lopez inform the role of the Supreme Court in American federalism. In your response, make sure to include:

• A clear explanation of judicial review and its significance as established in Marbury v. Madison.
• An analysis of the Commerce Clause as applied in United States v. Lopez.
• A discussion of the implications each ruling has on the balance of power between the federal government and state governments.