Using the Commerce Clause to Carry Out a Legislative Agenda

As methods of travel and shipping have improved, almost any action within a state has ripple effects on interstate commerce. Accordingly, the Commerce Clause has been used to justify many of Congress’ actions since the early 20th century. A legislative agenda, a government’s legislative plans for a session of congress stated at the start of a session of congress, can be realized through various Constitutional provisions. In this assignment, you examine how the Commerce Clause can be used to execute Congress’ legislative agenda.

To prepare for this assignment:

• Review the interactive media piece, “Interstate Commerce Law.” Consider how even small actions can lead to ripple effects that impact interstate commerce.

   

• Use the website, “The Oyez Project,” to locate cases on interstate commerce and the Commerce Clause. 

• Select a case from “The Oyez Project” website to use for this assignment. Think about how this case exemplifies the federal government’s use of the Commerce Clause to carry out its legislative agenda.

   

  Due by Sunday January 31, 2016 a (1-2 page paper)

   

• Identify and briefly summarize the case you selected. Be sure to cite the case.

   

• Explain how the case exemplifies the federal government’s use of the Commerce Clause to carry out its legislative agenda. Be specific.

   

Support your work with specific citations from the Learning Resources. You are allowed to draw from additional sources to support your argument, but you must cite using APA standards. All quoted material must be identified, cited, and referenced per APA standards.