Supreme Court Guts Chevron Deference

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council precedent, which required courts to defer to federal agencies’ interpretations of laws during rulemaking.

Friday's decision, made with a 6-3 vote along ideological lines, reduces the authority of executive agencies and raises questions about future regulatory actions across the administrative state..

Chevron, one of the most cited precedents in American law, facilitated specialized agencies in filling gaps in ambiguous statutes. Its supporters argued this allowed for uniform rules, while opponents contended that it was the role of courts, not agencies, to interpret statutes.

The court ruled on two cases, Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless v. Department of Commerce, both involving a 1976 law mandating herring boats to carry and pay for federal observers. Lower courts had ruled in favor of the government based on Chevron deference.

The decision reflects a longstanding conservative and business group objection to Chevron, rooted in opposition to extensive government regulation and a belief in limiting agency power to what Congress explicitly grants. This ruling signals a shift in the balance of power between courts and federal agencies.