In the case of EEOC v. Wyoming (460 U.S. 226 (1983)) the US Supreme Court reversed the similar case of National League of Cities v. Usery (426 U.S. 833 (1976)). In both cases, the Federal government was attempting to force States to pay their workers more (minimum wage vs. keeping older expensive employees). In this case, the Court found that it was ok to do that, even though it would result in draining State treasuries and thereby reducing the amount of money available to the general public.