American Constitutional Law provides a comprehensive account of the nations defining document. Based on the premise that the study of the Constitution and constitutional law is of fundamental importance to understanding the principles, prospects, and problems of America, this text puts current events in terms of what those who initially drafted and ratified the Constitution sought to accomplish. The authors examine the constitutional thought of the founders, as well as interpretations of the Constitution by the Supreme Court, Congress, the President, lower federal courts, and state judiciaries. Now fully updated, the eighth edition of this classic volume focuses on federal rights and powers and incorporates six new cases, including Boumediene v. Bush, Medellin v. Texas, Hein v. Freedom from Religion Foundation, and Plains Commerce Bank v. Long Family Land and Cattle Company.