Which statement best summarizes the U. S. Supreme Court's decision in McCulloch v Maryland?

A) Federal courts can declare laws and presidential acts unconstitutional.

B) Establishing a national bank is an implied power of the federal government.

C) Congress has the sole authority to regulate interstate commerce and trade.

D) The federal government has no authority to abolish slavery in new territories.

The response is Option B: Establishing a national bank is an implied power of the federal government.

Explanation:

Alexander Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury and he had encouraged Congress to pass a law establishing a national bank. This was, however, a controversial proposal as some states rejected the idea of having to compete with a national bank. The power to regulate commerce through an institution such as a national bank is implied on the part of the federal government, it is not a right or role specifically spelled out in the constitution. This ruling protected the rights of the federal government by not allowing states to do something like imposing a tax on national bank transactions.