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No. 24-354October Term 2024Decided Jun 27, 2025

Docket 24-354October Term 2024 (2024–2025)

Federal Communications Commission, et al., Petitioners v. Consumers' Research, et al.

The Supreme Court ruled that Congress did not violate the nondelegation doctrine by authorizing the FCC to collect contributions for the Universal Service Fund, nor did the FCC violate the Constitution by using a private administrator to assist with those collections.

Case status

Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released Jun 27, 2025
Case AcceptedNov 22, 2024
Arguments HeardMar 26, 2025
Decision ReleasedJun 27, 2025
What it's about

The Supreme Court ruled that Congress did not violate the nondelegation doctrine by authorizing the FCC to collect contributions for the Universal Service Fund, nor did the FCC violate the Constitution by using a private administrator to assist with those collections. The Court found that the statutory scheme provided sufficient guidance to constrain the agency's discretion and that the FCC retained ultimate authority over the private administrator.

Question presented

Did Congress violate the Constitution in the way it delegated power to the FCC to collect Universal Service Fund money, and did the FCC violate the Constitution by letting a private, industry-controlled company make those collection decisions?

Case path

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit / Decision released Jun 27, 2025

Area

Administrative Law