Question

Which of these statements best describes the 9th and 10th amendments

Answer 1

Answer: They protect rights not specifically mentioned in the Constitution and allow the states to make laws on issues not addressed by the federal government.  

Explanation: The Ninth Amendment says, "The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people", the Ninth Amendment basicallly states that even if a certain right is not enumerated in the Constitution, it should not be denied to people. Thus, they protect rights not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

The Tenth Amendment says, "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States...", so the Tenth Amendment basically states that the states have the right to issue laws that the federal government can't or didn't. Thus, it allows the states to make laws on issues not addressed by the federal government.