Question

the federal congress can manage international relations, but the pennsylvania legislature cannot. why does the pennsylvania legislature not have this power? select all that apply. a the pennsylvania legislature is not a sovereign nations central government. b the constitution grants this power to congress and denies it to the states. c states only have the power to declare war on other u.s. states. d pennsylvania does not have representation in the federal congress.

Explanation:

• Option A: The U.S. is a federal system. States like Pennsylvania are not sovereign nations. Only the federal government (Congress as part of it) has the authority over international relations as it represents the whole nation.
• Option B: The U.S. Constitution clearly outlines the powers. It gives the power to manage international relations (which includes aspects like treaties, diplomatic relations etc.) to Congress (Article I, Section 8) and restricts states from having such powers (e.g., Article I, Section 10 which prohibits states from entering into treaties, alliances, or confederations).
• Option C: States do not have the power to declare war on other U.S. states. The Constitution gives the power to declare war to Congress (Article I, Section 8). Also, this option is not relevant to why Pennsylvania legislature can't manage international relations.
• Option D: Pennsylvania does have representation in the federal Congress (both in the House of Representatives and the Senate). So this statement is factually incorrect.

Answer:

A. The Pennsylvania legislature is not a sovereign nation's central government.
B. The Constitution grants this power to Congress and denies it to the states.