Congress has the authority to regulate an activity that does not itself involve interstate commerce if the activity does have an effect on interstate commerce.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is known as the "effects doctrine" and was established in the landmark Supreme Court case Wickard v. Filburn in 1942. The Court held that even though a farmer growing wheat for personal use would not be directly involved in interstate commerce, the cumulative effect of many such farmers could have a substantial impact on the interstate wheat market, giving Congress the authority to regulate such activity under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution.

Congress Has the Authority to Regulate an Activity That Does