Emily Curley

Background In 1984, the legal drinking age in the United States was raised to 21 for the entire nation. South Dakota did not want to follow this rule, so the government decided to withhold federal funding unless they changed their rules in accordance to federal law. The state of South Dakota sued Secretary of Transportation Elizabeth Dole because her office was enforcing the legislation.

Ruling Congress ruled in favor of Dole because they believed that Congress was not overstepping its powers because it was in the state’s best interest and safety. 5-7 ruling, Judge Rhenquist resided.

Connection to Federalism This case is very closely related to federalism as the federal government stepped in to take away the state’s right to make it’s own decision about the minimum drinking age in South Dakota. In this case, the state’s rights did not prevail