How does the U.S constitution affect what states can do?

The U.S. Constitution establishes a framework for federalism, delineating the powers of the federal government and reserving certain powers for the states. The Tenth Amendment specifies that any powers not delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to the states are reserved for the states. Additionally, the Constitution includes the Supremacy Clause, which asserts that federal law takes precedence over state law when there is a conflict. This balance ensures that while states have significant authority to govern themselves, they must operate within the bounds set by the Constitution.