Jacob Sullum: How Far-Reaching is Congress's Regulatory Power?

From the early 20th century debates over opium regulation to the expansive reading of the Commerce Clause in modern times, we witness a dramatic transformation in how the government justifies its authority to address national concerns. Jacob Sullum from Reason emphasizes that our constitutional history reveals not only the ingenuity of lawmakers but also the malleability of foundational legal concepts in the face of changing circumstances. As we examine this progression, we each need to reflect on the delicate balance between effective governance and the preservation of constitutional limitations, a tension that continues to shape American democracy today.

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