Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo
In brief
Courts, not agencies, must use their own judgment to interpret federal statutes in challenges to agency actions.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 6-2 · June 28, 2024 · Opinion by Chief Justice Roberts
- What it’s about
- Commercial fishing companies challenged a federal rule requiring them to help fund onboard monitoring, using the case to attack Chevron deference.
- Who it affects
- Federal agencies can no longer receive deference from courts simply because a law is ambiguous. Businesses, including fishing vessels facing monitoring costs, can press courts to independently review an agency’s reading of a statute.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Court overruled Chevron, held courts must exercise independent judgment on legal questions under the APA, and vacated the D.C. Circuit's judgment.
The decision ends a major legal framework that had guided how courts reviewed federal agencies’ interpretations of laws.
Question presented
1. Does the Magnuson-Stevens Act authorize the National Marine Fisheries Service to promulgate a rule that would require industry to pay for at-sea monitoring programs? 2. Should the Court overrule Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council or at least clarify whether statutory silence on controversial powers creates an ambiguity requiring deference to the agency?
What the Court decided
Holding
The Administrative Procedure Act requires courts to exercise their independent judgment in deciding whether an agency has acted within its statutory authority, and courts may not defer to an agency interpretation of the law simply because a statute is ambiguous; Chevron is overruled. No. 22–451, 45 F. 4th 359 &
- Result
- Vacated
The vote
- Joined the judgment
- Concurred in a separate opinion
- Dissented
- Wrote an opinion
From the opinions
“Courts may not defer to an agency interpretation of the law simply because a statute is ambiguous.”
What's next
The case returns to the D.C. Circuit for further proceedings under the Court’s new standard. Lower courts will apply independent review in agency cases, while agencies and regulated parties adjust to the end of Chevron deference.
Documents
Docket activity
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AI analysis generated: Impact Analysis
AI analysis generated: Opinion Summary
AI analysis generated: Decision Record
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AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
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Brief added: Questions Presented
More questions
- What did the Supreme Court rule in Loper Bright?
- The Court overruled Chevron and required courts to independently decide whether an agency acted within its legal authority. It vacated the D.C. Circuit’s judgment.
- How will Loper Bright affect federal agencies?
- Agencies cannot rely on statutory ambiguity alone to win deference in court. Regulated businesses can seek independent judicial review of agency interpretations.
- What happens next in Loper Bright?
- The D.C. Circuit will reconsider the dispute under the new rule. Courts nationwide will apply independent judgment in future agency cases.
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.