When the federal government expresses a concern over regulating an industry, how does this affect a state's power to regulate that industry?

When the federal government expresses a concern over regulating an industry, the principle of preemption applies. Preemption occurs when federal law takes precedence over state law. This is rooted in the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which establishes that federal laws and treaties take priority over state laws when there is a conflict.

The Preemption Clause allows the federal government to limit or eliminate state regulation in areas where it has chosen to exercise its regulatory power. If Congress has enacted legislation that reflects a comprehensive regulatory scheme or demonstrates a clear intent to occupy a particular field, then state laws that conflict with federal regulations may be deemed preempted, meaning states cannot regulate in that area.

Therefore, when the federal government clearly indicates a concern and intervenes in an industry, it signals that states may not have the power to impose their regulations on that same industry if those regulations conflict with federal intentions. This aligns with the notion that comprehensive federal regulation can limit the states' ability to regulate, ensuring consistency in the law across the country.

This context clarifies why the correct choice highlights that the Preemption Clause indeed restricts state regulation when the federal government has acted decisively regarding an industry.