Under what condition has the Supreme Court allowed Congress to remove a state's 11th Amendment immunity from suit?

The correct answer centers on the enforcement of the 14th Amendment, particularly through the Congressional power outlined in Section 5 of the Amendment. The Supreme Court has established that Congress can indeed remove a state's immunity under the 11th Amendment in cases where the suit involves the enforcement of rights guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. For example, if a plaintiff is alleging violations of their rights such as due process or equal protection under the law, Congress has the power to legislate against states that violate these constitutional protections.

This permissive action is grounded in the premise that the 14th Amendment was enacted to address and rectify the injustices that were prevalent before its ratification, particularly towards formerly enslaved individuals. Therefore, to maintain the efficacy of these protections and to ensure that state actors are held accountable for infringing upon individuals’ rights, Congress can legislate to permit suits against states.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately align with the parameters established by the Supreme Court regarding the 11th Amendment. Protecting state sovereignty and promoting federal supremacy involves different legal principles and considerations that do not directly connect to the ability of Congress to remove state immunity in specific cases related to the 14th Amendment. Similarly, while Congress has powers concerning commerce