Which is an example of a concurrent power in the U.S. system?

Which is an example of a concurrent power in the U.S. system?

• A. Printing Money
• B. Conducting Foreign Policy
• C. Taxation
• D. Issuing Driver's Licenses

Answer: (C)

Concurrent powers are the ones that both the national government and the states can use at the same time within the same territory. They share the ability to act and raise revenue, among other things, though each level can legislate within its own sphere. Printing money and conducting foreign policy are reserved for the national government, so they’re not concurrent. Issuing driver’s licenses is a state function, not shared. Taxation, however, is exercised by both levels—federal taxes and state taxes—making it the example of a concurrent power. If federal and state rules ever clash, federal law generally prevails under the Supremacy Clause, but both levels have authority to tax.

Concurrent powers are the ones that both the national government and the states can use at the same time within the same territory. They share the ability to act and raise revenue, among other things, though each level can legislate within its own sphere. Printing money and conducting foreign policy are reserved for the national government, so they’re not concurrent. Issuing driver’s licenses is a state function, not shared. Taxation, however, is exercised by both levels—federal taxes and state taxes—making it the example of a concurrent power. If federal and state rules ever clash, federal law generally prevails under the Supremacy Clause, but both levels have authority to tax.