October Term 2023 · Docket 22-1219
Should courts defer to agency statutory interpretations?
Relentless argues Chevron deference violates the Constitution. The government defends the framework as essential to administrative law.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Relentless claims Chevron distorts the judicial process. It asserts the doctrine undermines statutory interpretation.
The government claims Chevron has deep roots in jurisprudence. It argues the sides that brought the case lack extraordinary justification to overrule it.
Justice Thomas questioned the line between deference and judicial duty. He referenced Skidmore deference in his inquiry.
Chief Justice Roberts explored fact-bound interstate commerce scenarios. He asked if agency policy judgment remains pertinent there.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 11-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 47-21 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 47-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 9-37 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 9-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 55-1 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 55-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 152, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 152, lines 31-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-35 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 23-53 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 23-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 39-33 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 39-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 11-35 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 11-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 51-1
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests the Chevron doctrine. This rule lets courts defer to agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes. the sides that brought the case seek to overrule it. the opposing sides seek to preserve it.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 9-37 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 9-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 152, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 152, lines 31-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-35 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 49-13
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 17, 2024.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 47-21 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 47-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 11-35 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 11-35
What each side wants
Relentless wants the Court to overrule Chevron. It seeks independent judicial interpretation of statutes.
The government wants the Court to preserve Chevron. It seeks continued deference to agency expertise.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 9-37 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 9-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 152, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 152, lines 31-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-35 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 49-13
What each side says
Relentless argues Chevron violates Article III. It claims judges must use independent judgment to interpret law.
The government argues Chevron is a bedrock principle. It claims overruling it requires extraordinary justification.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 9-37 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 9-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 152, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 152, lines 31-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-35 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 49-13
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked how much deference conflicts with the judicial role.
Chief Justice Roberts asked if fact-bound commerce issues warrant agency policy judgment.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 11-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 47-21 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 47-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 55-1 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 55-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 23-53 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 23-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 39-33 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 39-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 11-35 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 11-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 51-1
Why it matters
The outcome defines the balance between judicial power and agency expertise. It shapes how federal regulations gain legal force. It affects the stability of administrative law precedents.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 9-37 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 9-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 152, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 152, lines 31-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-35 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 49-13
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 11-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 47-21 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 47-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 55-1 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 55-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 23-53 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 23-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 39-33 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 39-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 11-35 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 11-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 51-1
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 9-37 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 9-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 152, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 152, lines 31-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-35 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 9-37 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 9-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 152, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 152, lines 31-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-35 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 49-13
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.