South Dakota v. Dole
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| South Dakota v. Dole | |
| Court | U.S. Supreme Court |
|---|---|
| Citation | 483 U.S. 203 (1987) |
| Date decided | 1987 |
Facts
Congress decided to withhold federal funds from states where they allowed people less than 21 to consume alcohol.
Issues
Whether Congress can place conditions on monies to be received by states when the issue is a state issue.
Arguments
Congress can't impose a national drinking age of 21.
Holding
Congress hasn't violated the spending provision of the "tax and power clause".
Rule
If Congress desires to condition the States’ receipt of federal funds, it must do so unambiguously enabling the states to exercise their choice knowingly, cognizant of their participation.
They may be illegitimate if they are unrelated to the federal interest in particular national projects or programs.
