Section Objective:� To Understand The National Government�s Obligations to the States

A. The Nation�s obligations to the States

1. Guarantee of a Republican form of Government � This Federal Guarantee that each State will have a representative government.

2. Protection of Invasion and Domestic Violence � This obligation guarantees federal involvement if any state is invaded by a foreign power, federal assistance (usually, but not necessary, at the invitation of a state�s governor) to quell internal conflicts, and federal aid in the case of natural disaster.�

B. Respect for Territorial Integrity

1. The National Government is bound to recognize the legal existence and physical boundaries of each state.

2. No State can be deprived of equal representation in the Senate without its consent.

C. Admitting New States

1���� The usual admission procedure consists of an area�s petitioning Congress for admission, the passage of an enabling act, the framing of a state�s constitution, the approval of new constitution by the area�s voters, and the congressional passage of an act of admission.

2. Congress may set conditions for admission.

D. Cooperative Federalism

1. Federal Grants-in-aid � These are grants of money or other resources from the National Government to states or local governments and may be categorical (meant to be used for specific purposes) and conditional (granted if certain conditions are met).

2. Block Grants � These are federal grants to States or Local governments with broadly defined purposes with a few conditions.

3. Revenue Sharing � This program was in place from 1972-1987. It had virtually no strings attached and was simply revenues shared with States or Local Governments.

4. Other Forms of Federal Aid � The Federal Governments aids the states in several other important ways.

5. State Aid To The National Government � These are instances where states help the National government, as when states or local law enforcement agencies hold prisoners wanted for violating national laws.