Supreme Court Overturns Chevron Decision, Shifting Power Away From Federal Agencies
The 40-year-old decision faced opposition from conservative and business interests, while environmental groups argued in its favor
June 28, 2024
Image: Jim Glab / stock.adobe.com
The Supreme Court voted to overturn the 40-year-old Chevron decision Friday.
In a decision that could have larger implications for the environment, public health, and the workplace, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1984 Chevron decision, according to the Associated Press. The 6-3 ruling, backed by conservative justices, flips the balance of power between the executive and judicial branches. The core of the Chevron decision says federal agencies should be allowed to fill in the details on ambiguous laws. However, opponents of the decision argued that it gave power that should be wielded by judges to the government.
The court ruled in cases brought by Atlantic herring fishermen in New Jersey and Rhode Island who challenged a fee requirement. Lower courts used the Chevron decision to uphold a 2020 National Marine Fisheries Service rule that herring fishermen pay for government-mandated observers who track their fish intake.
Conservative and business interests strongly backed the fishermen’s appeals, betting that a court that was remade during Republican Donald Trump’s presidency would strike another blow at the regulatory state.
