October Term 2023 · Docket 22-451
Should courts defer to agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes?
the sides that brought the case seek to end judicial deference to agency statutory interpretations. the opposing sides defend the existing framework.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion 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
General Prelogar argued the case tests Article III power.
Mr. Clement highlighted real-world costs for small businesses.
Justice Kagan stated Chevron reflects congressional intent.
Justice Sotomayor observed that technology changes implementation over time.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 47-37 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 47-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 41-53 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 41-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 13-25 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 13-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 53-49 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 53-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 17-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 13-31
- 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 23-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 51-15 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 51-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 53-23 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 53-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 31-7 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 31-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-21 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-37 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 49-17
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of judicial power over agency rulemaking. The dispute centers on who interprets ambiguous laws.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 51-15 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 51-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 49-17
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 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 31-33
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want courts to interpret statutes independently.
the opposing sides want courts to defer to reasonable agency interpretations.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 51-15 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 51-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 49-17
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue deference violates separation of powers.
the opposing sides argue deference respects agency expertise.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 51-15 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 51-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 49-17
What the justices asked
Justice Kagan asked if Chevron recognizes congressional silence.
Justice Sotomayor noted tension in interpretive authority.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 47-37 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 47-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 41-53 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 41-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 13-25 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 13-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 53-49 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 53-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 17-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 53-23 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 53-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 31-7 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 31-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-21 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-37 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-37
Why it matters
The outcome defines the balance between judicial and executive power. It shapes how agencies regulate complex industries. It affects small businesses and individuals directly.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 51-15 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 51-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 49-17
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 31-41 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 47-37 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 47-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 41-53 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 41-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 13-25 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 13-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 53-49 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 53-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 17-47 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 17-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 13-31
- 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 29-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 53-23 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 53-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 31-7 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 31-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-21 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-37 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-37
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 51-15 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 51-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 49-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 51-15 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 51-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 49-17
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.