FCC v. Consumers’ Research
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in FCC v. Consumers’ Research and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of FCC v. Consumers’ Research.
The Supreme Court addressed whether the FCC's universal-service contribution scheme violates the nondelegation doctrine. The Court found that the scheme does not violate the doctrine, as Congress provided an intelligible principle for the FCC to follow. The decision also clarified the permissible use of a private administrator under the FCC's oversight.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in FCC v. Consumers’ Research.
The Court held that the universal-service contribution scheme does not violate the nondelegation doctrine.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in FCC v. Consumers’ Research. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Nondelegation is relevant to FCC v. Consumers’ Research
The case primarily addresses whether the FCC's universal-service contribution scheme violates the nondelegation doctrine.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Held: The universal-service contribution scheme does not violate the nondelegation doctrine. Pp. 672–698.
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Why Administrative Law is relevant to FCC v. Consumers’ Research
The case involves constitutional limits on agency authority, focusing on the delegation of powers to the FCC and its subdelegation to a private entity.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)To calculate how much carriers must contribute to the Fund, the FCC has devised a formula, known as the 'contribution factor.'
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Why State–Federal Power is relevant to FCC v. Consumers’ Research
The case involves the allocation of authority between federal agencies and private entities, implicating federal power over telecommunications.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The Communications Act of 1934 established the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) and instructed it to make available to 'all the people of the United States' reliable communications services 'at reasonable charges.'
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in FCC v. Consumers’ Research that support the summary and concepts above.
The universal-service contribution scheme does not violate the nondelegation doctrine.
Congress must make clear both 'the general policy' the agency must pursue and 'the boundaries of [its] delegated authority.'
The Administrator is broadly subordinate to the Commission.