What US Supreme Court decision affirmed the federal government's power to regulate interstate commerce?

Answer 1

The Court first supported Congress' regulation of business under the Interstate Commerce Clause in Gibbons v. Ogden, (1824), and later upheld this authority in a number of other cases.

Another important landmark case involving the Interstate Commerce Clause and civil rights was Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States, (1964).

Case Citation:

Gibbons v. Ogden, 22 US 1 (1824)

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Answer 2

Gibbons v. Ogden, 22 US 1 (1824)

In Gibbons v. Ogden, 22 U.S. 1 (1824), the U.S. Supreme Court held that Congress had the power under the Commerce Clause to regulate interstate commerce , for the first time including navigation and shipping. The Court did not give to Congress this power, but found that it already existed in the U.S. Constitution.

The case had its roots in the 1800 New York State law that granted a monopoly to Robert Fulton and Robert Livingston to operate their steamboats on New York waterways. Aaron Ogden obtained a license from Fulton and Livingston to operate his own steamboats between New York and New Jersey. Then Thomas Gibbons opened his own steamboat line between New York and New Jersey, but without a license from the New York monopoly; Gibbons instead had a coastal trade license issued under a 1793 Congressional act. The State of New York blocked Gibbon's ships from New York ports because of his lack of a New York license, and a New York court agreed with this.

The case was rushed to the U.S. Supreme Court, where Gibbons argued that the power of Congress to license interstate shipping took precedence over the state's power to restrict licensing, while Ogden argued that shipping did not fall under the rights of Congress to regulate interstate commerce as expressed in the U.S. Constitution.

Politically, there was a great deal more to this case than a feud between two obscure steamboat competitors. Gibbons was really a front for the State of New Jersey and the powerful shipping magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt. Similarly Ogden was a front for the State of New York and its powerful shipping monopoly.

Also, in its way, Gibbons v. Ogden edged the U.S. one step closer to secession and Civil War years later by once again affirming the supremacy of the Federal Government over States Rights.

Answer 3

The Supreme Court case Gibbons vs. Ogden effectively established the ability of the National Government in all matters affecting interstate and foreign commerce.

Circumstances of the Case

The New York legislature granted an exclusive long-term contract to operate and license all steam-powered vessels in the waters of New York to Robert Fulton and Robert Livingston. Aaron Ogden obtained a license from Livingston to operate steam-powered ferry boats on the Hudson between New York and New Jersey. Thomas Gibbons, who operated under a coasting license granted by the Federal Government, made his living by carrying passengers from New Jersey to New York via steamboat. Because Gibbons had no New York license, Ogden asked the New York courts to issue an injunction forbidding him landing rights to the port of New York. When the New York courts issued the injunction, Gibbons appealed his case to the US Supreme Court arguing that his Federal license superseded any New York licensing requirement.

Part of Constitution Debated

The major debate involved the meaning of Article I, Section 8-specifically, the Commerce Clause.

Decision and Reasoning

By a unanimous vote of six to zero, the Court delivered its decision that rejected the New York and sided with Gibbons. On the definition of Commerce, the Court broadly declared that commerce describes the commercial intercourse between nations and parts of nations, in all its branches, and is regulated by the National Government. The decision stated that Gibbons license was a legitimate exercise of the power of the National Government to regulate commerce. The New York license conflicts with the regulatory powers of the Federal Government and hence Gibbons must be allowed to operate in New York waters. Marshall asserted the supremacy of the National Government over the States. The Gibbons decision established for all time the supremacy of the National Government in all matters affecting interstate and foreign commerce.

Judicial Philosophy

This case exemplifies both judicial restraint and activism. The Supreme Court exercised judicial restraint in this case by interpreting the case as the founding fathers would have initially intended. They intended for the National Government to have power to regulate commerce as given to Congress in Article I, Section 8. Therefore they deemed that the New York licensing requirement was unconstitutional because it clashed with the power granted to the Federal Government. Also, this case involved a strict interpretation of the Supremacy Clause providing that the National Government superseded the State governments. However, they also exemplified judicial activism in this case by interpreting the Commerce Clause in very broad terms to include passengers and any form of commercial intercourse between nations and the States. This broad reading allowed them to come to their decision in favor of Gibbons.

Court Citation:

Gibbons v. Ogden, 22 US 1 (1824)

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Answer 4

In order to determine which of the following Supreme Court decisions upheld the congressional power of regulating interstate commerce, you would need to provide a list. More information would be needed.

Answer 5

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824

Answer 6

Gibbons v. Ogden

Answer 7

Obamacare