July 16, 2024
D.C. News | Tea Leaves
  • The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Chevron doctrine, which allowed federal agencies leeway in interpreting ambiguous laws, is expected to severely hinder the government’s ability to enforce public health regulations and could lead to a surge in litigation challenging such rules. Experts and health organizations, including the American Public Health Association and the American Cancer Society, warn that this ruling will create uncertainty and slow down regulatory responses to emergencies like climate change and pandemics. Critics argue that transferring decision-making power from agencies to courts and Congress will result in regulatory paralysis and favor corporate interests over public health. The ruling reflects a broader trend of judicial constraints on agency expertise and discretion, prompting concerns about the future of effective, science-driven public health policy in the United States. (Articles here and here)