← Legal Glossary
Major Questions Doctrine
Definition
A legal principle that courts should not interpret vague or general statutory language as granting agencies or the executive extraordinary powers of vast economic and political significance unless Congress has clearly authorized that specific power. It requires clear congressional authorization for major policy decisions.
Examples
- •Challengers argued that reading IEEPA to authorize unlimited worldwide tariffs is exactly the kind of 'unheralded' major power that triggers this doctrine