The courts
major questions doctrine
The rule that an agency needs clear congressional authorization before deciding a question of vast economic or political significance.
In full
Applied in West Virginia v. EPA (2022) and elsewhere, the doctrine treats a claim of sweeping new authority found in an old or general statute with skepticism. Supporters call it a separation-of-powers check that keeps big policy choices with Congress; critics say major is undefined, which lets courts pick which programs get the extra scrutiny.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.