Chevron and Stare Decisis

23 Pages Posted: 3 Nov 2023 Last revised: 3 Apr 2024

See all articles by Kent H. Barnett

Kent H. Barnett

Ohio State University (OSU) - Michael E. Moritz College of Law; University of Georgia School of Law

Christopher J. Walker

University of Michigan Law School

Date Written: October 8, 2023

Abstract

In our contribution to this Chevron on Trial Symposium, we argue that the Supreme Court should not overrule Chevron in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and its companion case Relentless v. Department of Commerce. We based our argument largely on statutory stare decisis. In particular, Chevron deference is a bedrock precedent in administrative law, relied on by the Supreme Court and the lower federal courts thousands of times since Chevron was decided in 1984. Congress, federal agencies, and the regulated public have also structured their affairs around the precedent. Conversely, the constitutional arguments against Chevron are unpersuasive, and the debate about the original understanding of judicial deference in the Administrative Procedure Act is murky at best. The doctrine of stare decisis, we submit, should be at its high point with respect to this statutory precedent.

Chevron deference, moreover, advances important rule-of-law values in administrative law. Aside from the conventional values of agency expertise, enhanced deliberative process, and more politically accountable policymaking, our empirical scholarship sheds light on two less-appreciated values: national uniformity and predictability in federal law and less politics in judicial decisionmaking. Finally, we argue, the Court’s recent approach to Chevron has already addressed the concerns raised about the precedent—i.e., through more searching inquiries at Chevron steps one and two and the introduction of the major questions doctrine.

Keywords: administrative law, Chevron, judicial deference, stare decisis

Suggested Citation

Barnett, Kent Harris and Walker, Christopher J., Chevron and Stare Decisis (October 8, 2023). George Mason Law Review, Vol. 31, pp. 475-497, 2024, University of Georgia School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper , U of Michigan Public Law Research Paper No. 24-010, C. Boyden Gray Center for the Study of the Administrative State Research Paper No. Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4595773

Kent Harris Barnett

Ohio State University (OSU) - Michael E. Moritz College of Law ( email )

55 West 12th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
United States

University of Georgia School of Law ( email )

225 Herty Drive
Athens, GA 30602
United States

Christopher J. Walker (Contact Author)

University of Michigan Law School ( email )

625 South State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1215
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.chrisjwalker.com

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