IA Bar Constitutional Law 2

Question 1

Which clause of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states?

Accepted Answer

Commerce Clause

Answer

The Commerce Clause in Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states, which has been broadly interpreted over time.

Question 2

In Iowa courts, what is the standard for determining whether a statute violates equal protection?

Accepted Answer

Whether the classification bears a rational relationship to a legitimate government purpose

Answer

Under rational basis review, the default standard, Iowa courts examine whether a statutory classification is rationally related to a legitimate government interest.

Question 3

What does the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibit?

Accepted Answer

Government establishment of or preference for a religion

Answer

The Establishment Clause prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or unduly favoring one religion over others or religion over non-religion.

Question 4

Under Iowa law, what is the doctrine of sovereign immunity?

Accepted Answer

The state cannot be sued without its consent

Answer

Sovereign immunity means the state government cannot be sued unless it has waived its immunity through legislation, such as the Iowa Tort Claims Act.

Question 5

Which level of scrutiny applies to gender-based classifications under equal protection analysis?

Accepted Answer

Intermediate scrutiny

Answer

Gender-based classifications receive intermediate scrutiny, requiring the government to show the classification serves an important governmental objective and is substantially related to achieving that objective.

(IA Bar) Iowa Bar Exam Practice Test

(IA Bar) Iowa Bar Exam Practice Test

IA Bar Constitutional Law 2