Student Handout

Key Constitutional Issues of the Abortion Debate:
Discussion Questions

"The 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."
10th Amendment, United States Constitution

Why do you think the framers of the Constitution included this amendment in the Bill of Rights? What were their concerns?

In your own words, what does this amendment protect?

What powers do you know of that are solely delegated to the national government?

How do we know that these powers are delegated to the national government?

What powers do you know of that are "reserved" to the states?

What powers are shared between the federal and state governments?

Think about how much society has changed since the framers ratified the Constitution in the 18th century. What issues exist in our society today that the framers did not designate as a federal power, a state power or a shared power?