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cover of episode 13 much ado about everything: Chevron, overruled

13 much ado about everything: Chevron, overruled

2024/10/7
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播客主持人
播客主持人,专注于英语学习和金融话题讨论,组织了英语学习营,并深入探讨了比特币和美元的关系。
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播客主持人:美国最高法院推翻Chevron原则,这在行政法学界引发巨大震动,并可能暗示着美国真正的宪政危机。Chevron原则赋予行政机构在法律解释上的很大权力,基于对机构专业能力的认可。然而,这一原则也受到诸多批评,包括宪法角度和实践角度的质疑,以及对行政机构权力扩张的担忧。Loper Bright案的事实背景是行政机构对渔民收取吃住费的规定被认为荒谬,最高法院本可以通过其他途径解决此案,无需推翻Chevron原则。推翻Chevron原则更多的是一种象征性的权力展示,而非实际权力的大幅增加。Loper Bright案的决定被赋予了过多的党派色彩和象征意义,这是一种危险的叙事方式。结构性变革不应带有党派色彩,将Loper Bright案的决定与特定党派利益挂钩是错误的。Loper Bright案的现实影响包括:诉讼数量增加,行政机构规章制定程序可能简化,下级法院负担加重,最高法院合法性受挑战。在理想状态下,推翻Chevron原则与否对行政机构的权力影响不大,法院会根据合理性进行审查。行政法案件的尴尬之处在于个案判决对整体法律具有约束力,这使得诉讼策略对结果影响巨大。美国政治制度的脆弱性:任何一个部门职权行使不当都可能导致系统性问题。从宪法角度来看,国会将立法权委托给行政机构本身就是违宪的。行政机构的作用在于填补法律空白,而非完全取代国会的立法权。重大问题原则(Major Question Doctrine)的适用。法院在行政法案件中的作用:法院可以界定国会可以委托给行政机构的技术问题范围。法院的角色:划定界限比直接做决定更有效率。对权力扩张的警惕:任何部门权力过大都应引起警惕。行政部门与其他部门的区别:行政部门更倾向于积极主动地行使权力。法律条文制定中的模糊性:为了更容易通过立法,条文往往写得比较笼统。行政部门官员的动机:追求权力和利益最大化。国会和法院在制度设计上难以形成利益共同体。总统对行政部门的权力应有直接影响。最高法院推翻Chevron原则的方式显得过于激进和不必要。最高法院法官在判决中对遵循先例的解释过于随意。最高法院的保守派法官行为可能导致日后反噬。保守派和自由派法官之间的相互报复。行政机构的存在并非没有理由,其必要性有待考量。下级法院可能采取与行政机构类似的决策方式。Jarkesy案的影响有限,其直接影响很小。Jarkesy案并非禁止所有案件在行政法院审理,而是对某些案件的审理地点做出限制。SEC在2018年之后减少了在其内部行政法院审理可以在法院审理的案件。研究表明,SEC在不同法院的胜诉率没有显著差异。对SEC胜诉率研究的质疑:研究方法存在缺陷,对“胜诉”的定义模糊。SEC利用内部行政法院对被调查者施压,这是一种不公平的做法。Jarkesy案的局限性:对某些案件的审理地点限制。行政机构的权力可能无限扩张。行政机构需要改革,特别是行政法官的任命和独立性问题。行政法官的任命和独立性问题:行政法官的任命应与行政机构分离。即使案件最终在法院审理,行政机构的决定仍然可能受到一定程度的审查。行政机构内部的法院与行政机构本身存在张力,难以完全独立。行政法官应避免受行政机构首脑的影响。行政法官的任命和保障措施应类似于联邦法官。缺乏诉讼时效可能导致诉讼无限期进行。“全国禁令”的含义:法律的效力范围是全国性的,而非针对个案。Loper Bright案的现实影响:诉讼速度变慢。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

What is the Chevron Deference and why was it significant in U.S. administrative law?

The Chevron Deference, established in the 1984 case Chevron v. NRDC, allowed federal agencies to interpret ambiguous statutes as long as their interpretations were reasonable. It was significant because it gave agencies substantial power to shape regulations without judicial interference, effectively deferring to their expertise in technical and complex matters.

Why did the Supreme Court overturn the Chevron Deference in the Loper Bright case?

In Loper Bright v. Raimondo (2024), the Supreme Court overturned Chevron Deference, arguing that agencies should not have unchecked power to interpret ambiguous statutes. The Court chose a radical approach, rejecting the idea that agencies should automatically receive deference, and instead emphasized judicial oversight in interpreting laws.

What are the potential implications of overturning Chevron Deference?

Overturning Chevron Deference could lead to a surge in litigation challenging existing regulations, as agencies lose their automatic deference. It may also reduce agencies' incentive to create formal regulations through processes like notice and comment, potentially leading to more ad hoc enforcement. Additionally, lower courts may face increased burdens in interpreting complex policies without deferring to agencies.

How does the Loper Bright case reflect broader trends in the Supreme Court's approach to administrative law?

The Loper Bright case is part of a broader trend where the Supreme Court has been increasingly skeptical of the administrative state. Recent cases, such as SEC v. Jarkesy and Corner Post v. Board of Governors of FRS, have also limited agency powers, signaling a shift away from deference to agencies and toward greater judicial control over regulatory interpretation.

What criticisms have been raised against the Chevron Deference over the years?

Critics of Chevron Deference argue that it violates the separation of powers by delegating legislative and judicial authority to unelected agencies. Others contend that it has contributed to the growth of an unaccountable administrative state, where agencies wield significant power over daily life without direct democratic oversight. Additionally, some believe it has led to inconsistent and overly broad regulatory interpretations.

What is the Major Questions Doctrine and how does it relate to Chevron Deference?

The Major Questions Doctrine holds that courts should not defer to agency interpretations of statutes when the issues involve significant economic or political consequences. It has been used in cases like WV v. EPA (2022) to limit agency power, and it contrasts with Chevron Deference by emphasizing judicial scrutiny over agency decisions in major policy areas.

How does the SEC v. Jarkesy case impact administrative courts?

In SEC v. Jarkesy (2024), the Supreme Court ruled that certain cases involving securities fraud must be tried in federal courts rather than administrative courts, as they fall under the protection of the 7th Amendment. This limits the SEC's ability to use its internal courts for certain cases, though it does not eliminate administrative courts entirely.

What are the concerns about the SEC's internal administrative courts?

Concerns about the SEC's internal administrative courts include their lack of independence, as judges are appointed by the SEC commissioners, and the absence of strict evidentiary rules. Critics argue that this creates a biased system where the SEC has an unfair advantage, potentially undermining due process and fairness for defendants.

How does the Supreme Court's approach to precedent in Loper Bright raise concerns?

The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Chevron Deference in Loper Bright raises concerns about the stability of legal precedent. By rejecting a long-standing doctrine, the Court has signaled a willingness to disregard established principles, which could lead to unpredictability and undermine the legitimacy of judicial decisions.

What is the role of Congress in the context of agency regulations and Chevron Deference?

Congress plays a critical role in delegating authority to agencies through statutes. However, the overturning of Chevron Deference shifts the responsibility of interpreting ambiguous laws from agencies to the courts. This raises questions about whether Congress can effectively delegate regulatory authority without judicial deference, potentially leading to more detailed and prescriptive legislation.

Chapters
本期节目深入探讨了美国最高法院在Loper Bright v. Raimondo案中推翻Chevron原则的重大意义。Chevron原则长期以来赋予行政机构在法律解释上的广泛权力,而Loper Bright案则对其提出了挑战,引发了关于宪法、行政权力和三权分立的广泛讨论。
  • 最高法院推翻了Chevron原则
  • Loper Bright案的事实背景
  • 法院有多种方式避免推翻Chevron原则
  • 推翻Chevron原则的实际影响

Shownotes Transcript

Don't cry over spilled technocracy. 我们聊了今年6月美国最高院通过Loper Bright案推翻了称霸行政法多年的Chevron原则这件事:与本term的abortion, immunity等众多要案相比,此案或才暗示着美国真正的宪政危机。本期录音分为两部分,第一部分可以作为第二部分的companion服用。

(1:15) I Disclaimer, context*, Loper Bright as a structural change

(13:23) II Reflections/debate thereupon 短视的党争叙事,与行政效率的致命诱惑,请回答1787

*勘误:federal monitors是监视器不是真的监管人住在船上;Jarkesy重音在ke;但我真的不想重录了

References:

(1:29) Chevron v. NRDC (1984) (the OG case)

(5:13) Loper Bright v. Raimondo (2024) (the kingslayer case)

(4:18), (30:51) SEC v. Jarkesy (2024) (the SEC 7th Amendment case)

(4:30), (44:05) Corner Post v. Board of Governors of FRS (2024) (the statute of limitations case)

(6:17) FDA v. Brown & Williamson (2000)

(6:29) WV v. EPA (2022); Biden v. NB (2023) (Major Question Doctrine cases)

(6:44) US v. Mead (2000) (agencies need procedures to get Chevron)

(28:52) Bork’s nomination, McConnell’s revenge, and the reshaping of the modern supreme court www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/supreme-revenge/)

(34:10) Empirical studies on SEC’s in-court and in-house winning rates www.wsj.com/articles/sec-wins-with-in-house-judges-1430965803?); papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2920940)

(36:14) 南山真的必胜客吗?www.legal-theory.org/?mod=info&act=view&id=27582)

p.s. One ironically great example on institutional expertise: OH v. EPA (2023) (where Justice Gorsuch mistook nitrous oxide for nitrogen oxide)

BGM credit to Suno AI

Cover pic credit to ourselves in Wyoming!