morrison et argued january decided may petitioner brzonkala filed suit alleging inter alia raped respondents three students virginia polytechnic institute attack violated provides federal civil remedy victims violence respondents moved dismiss grounds complaint failed state claim civil remedy unconstitutional petitioner intervened defend section constitutionality dismissing complaint district held stated claim respondents congress lacked authority enact either commerce clause fourteenth amendment congress explicitly identified sources federal authority en banc fourth circuit affirmed held section sustained commerce clause fourteenth amendment pp commerce clause provide congress authority enact federal civil remedy congressional enactment invalidated upon plain showing congress exceeded constitutional bounds see lopez petitioners assert sustained congress commerce power regulation activity substantially affects interstate commerce proper framework analyzing claim provided principles set lopez first lopez noneconomic criminal nature possessing firearm school zone central conclusion congress lacks authority regulate possession similarly crimes violence sense economic activity second like statute issue lopez contains jurisdictional element establishing federal cause action pursuance congress regulation interstate commerce although lopez makes clear jurisdictional element lend support argument sufficiently tied interstate commerce come within congress authority congress elected cast remedy wider purely intrastate body violent crime third although unlike lopez statute supported numerous findings regarding serious impact violence victims families findings substantially weakened fact rely reasoning rejected namely causal chain initial occurrence violent crime every attenuated effect upon interstate commerce accepted reasoning allow congress regulate crime whose nationwide aggregated impact substantial effects employment production transit consumption moreover reasoning limit congress regulating violence may applied equally well family law areas state regulation since aggregate effect marriage divorce childrearing national economy undoubtedly significant constitution requires distinction truly national truly local better example police power founders undeniably left reposed denied central government suppression violent crime vindication victims congress therefore may regulate noneconomic violent criminal conduct based solely conduct aggregate effect interstate commerce pp section fourteenth amendment permits congress enforce appropriate legislation constitutional guarantee state shall deprive person life liberty property without due process deny person equal protection laws city boerne flores also give congress authority enact petitioners assertion pervasive bias various state justice systems victims violence supported voluminous congressional record however fourteenth amendment places limitations manner congress may attack discriminatory conduct foremost among principle amendment prohibits state action private conduct conclusion reached harris civil rights cases decided shortly amendment adoption force doctrine stare decisis behind decisions stems length time books also insight attributable members time intimate knowledge familiarity events surrounding amendment adoption neither guest district columbia carter casts doubt enduring vitality civil rights cases harris assuming disparate treatment state authorities case enough save civil remedy directed state state actor individuals committed criminal acts motivated gender bias section visits consequence virginia public official involved investigating prosecuting brzonkala assault thus unlike remedies previously upheld see south carolina katzenbach section also different previously upheld remedies applies uniformly throughout nation even though congress findings indicate problem addressed exist even contrast remedy katzenbach directed congress found discrimination pp affirmed rehnquist delivered opinion scalia kennedy thomas joined thomas filed concurring opinion souter filed dissenting opinion stevens ginsburg breyer joined breyer filed dissenting opinion stevens joined souter ginsburg joined part petitioner antonio morrison et al christy brzonkala petitioner antonio morrison et al writs certiorari appeals fourth circuit may chief justice rehnquist delivered opinion cases consider constitutionality provides federal civil remedy victims violence appeals fourth circuit sitting en banc struck concluded congress lacked constitutional authority enact section civil remedy believing cases controlled decisions lopez harris civil rights cases affirm petitioner christy brzonkala enrolled virginia polytechnic institute virginia tech fall september year brzonkala met respondents antonio morrison james crawford students virginia tech members varsity football team brzonkala alleges within minutes meeting morrison crawford assaulted repeatedly raped attack morrison allegedly told brzonkala better diseases complaint months following rape morrison also allegedly announced dormitory dining room like get girls drunk omitted portions quoted verbatim briefs file consist boasting debased remarks morrison women vulgar remarks fail shock offend brzonkala alleges attack caused become severely emotionally disturbed depressed sought assistance university psychiatrist prescribed antidepressant medication shortly rape brzonkala stopped attending classes withdrew university early brzonkala filed complaint respondents virginia tech sexual assault policy hearing complaint morrison admitted sexual contact despite fact twice told hearing virginia tech judicial committee found insufficient evidence punish crawford found morrison guilty sexual assault sentenced immediate suspension two semesters virginia tech dean students upheld judicial committee sentence however july virginia tech informed brzonkala morrison intended initiate challenge conviction sexual assault policy university officials told second hearing necessary remedy school error prosecuting complaint policy widely circulated students university therefore conducted second hearing abusive conduct policy force prior dissemination sexual assault policy following second hearing judicial committee found morrison guilty sentenced identical suspension time however description morrison offense without explanation changed sexual assault using abusive language morrison appealed second conviction university administrative system august virginia tech senior vice president provost set aside morrison punishment concluded excessive compared cases finding violation abusive conduct policy virginia tech inform brzonkala decision learning newspaper morrison returning virginia tech fall semester dropped university december brzonkala sued morrison crawford virginia tech district western district virginia complaint alleged morrison crawford attack violated virginia tech handling complaint violated title ix education amendments stat morrison crawford moved dismiss complaint grounds failed state claim civil remedy unconstitutional petitioner intervened defend constitutionality district dismissed brzonkala title ix claims virginia tech failure state claim upon relief granted see brzonkala virginia polytechnic state supp wd held brzonkala complaint stated claim morrison crawford dismissed complaint concluded congress lacked authority enact section either commerce clause fourteenth amendment brzonkala virginia polytechnic state supp wd divided panel appeals reversed district reinstating brzonkala claim title ix hostile environment brzonkala virginia polytechnic state full appeals vacated panel opinion reheard case en banc en banc issued opinion affirming district conclusion brzonkala stated claim complaint alleged crime violence allegations morrison crude derogatory statements regarding treatment women sufficiently indicated crime motivated gender nevertheless divided vote affirmed district conclusion congress lacked constitutional authority enact civil remedy brzonkala virginia polytechnic state appeals invalidated federal statute constitutional grounds granted certiorari section part violence women act stat persons within shall right free crimes violence motivated gender enforce right subsection declares person including person acts color statute ordinance regulation custom usage state commits crime violence motivated gender thus deprives another right declared subsection section shall liable party injured action recovery compensatory punitive damages injunctive declaratory relief relief may deem appropriate section defines crim violence motivated gender crime violence committed gender basis gender due least part animus based victim gender also provides term crime violence includes act series acts constitute felony person constitute felony property conduct presents serious risk physical injury another come within meaning state federal offenses described section title whether acts actually resulted criminal charges prosecution conviction whether acts committed special maritime territorial prison jurisdiction includes act series acts constitute felony described subparagraph relationship person takes action individual action taken clarifying broad scope civil remedy subsection othing section requires prior criminal complaint prosecution conviction establish elements cause action subsection section subsection provides litigant choice forums federal state courts shall concurrent jurisdiction complaints brought section although foregoing language covers wide swath criminal conduct congress placed limitations section federal civil remedy subsection othing section entitles person cause action subsection section random acts violence unrelated gender acts demonstrated preponderance evidence motivated gender subsection shall construed confer courts jurisdiction state law claim seeking establishment divorce alimony equitable distribution marital property child custody decree every law enacted congress must based one powers enumerated constitution powers legislature defined limited limits may mistaken forgotten constitution written marbury madison cranch marshall congress explicitly identified sources federal authority relied enacting said federal civil rights cause action established ursuant affirmative power congress section fourteenth amendment constitution well section article constitution address congress authority enact remedy constitutional provisions turn ii due respect decisions coordinate branch government demands invalidate congressional enactment upon plain showing congress exceeded constitutional bounds see lopez kennedy concurring harris presumption constitutionality mind turn question whether falls within congress power article constitution brzonkala rely upon third clause article gives congress power regulate commerce foreign nations among several indian tribes discussed length lopez interpretation commerce clause changed nation developed see lopez congress considerably greater latitude regulating conduct transactions commerce clause previous case law permitted see lopez kennedy concurring lopez emphasized however even modern expansive interpretation commerce clause congress regulatory authority without effective bounds ven precedents expanded congressional power commerce clause confirm power subject outer limits jones laughlin steel warned scope interstate commerce power must considered light dual system government may extended embrace effects upon interstate commerce indirect remote embrace view complex society effectually obliterate distinction national local create completely centralized government quoting jones laughlin steel supra observed lopez modern commerce clause jurisprudence identified three broad categories activity congress may regulate commerce power perez first congress may regulate use channels interstate commerce darby second congress empowered regulate protect instrumentalities interstate commerce persons things interstate commerce even though threat may come intrastate activities southern perez supra finally congress commerce authority includes power regulate activities substantial relation interstate commerce activities substantially affect interstate commerce citing jones laughlin steel supra petitioners contend cases fall within either first two categories commerce clause regulation seek sustain regulation activity substantially affects interstate commerce given focus violence wherever occurs rather violence directed instrumentalities interstate commerce interstate markets things persons interstate commerce agree proper inquiry since lopez recently canvassed clarified case law governing third category commerce clause regulation provides proper framework conducting required analysis lopez held school zones act made federal crime knowingly possess firearm school zone exceeded congress authority commerce clause see several significant considerations contributed decision first observed criminal statute terms nothing commerce sort economic enterprise however broadly one might define terms reviewing case law noted upheld wide variety congressional acts regulating intrastate economic activity concluded activity substantially affected interstate commerce although cited examples including wickard filburn hodel supra perez supra katzenbach mcclung heart atlanta motel supra stated pattern analysis clear lopez economic activity substantially affects interstate commerce legislation regulating activity sustained petitioners justice souter dissent downplay role economic nature regulated activity plays commerce clause analysis fair reading lopez shows noneconomic criminal nature conduct issue central decision case see act regulat commercial activity even wickard perhaps far reaching example commerce clause authority intrastate activity involved economic activity way possession gun school zone section essential part larger regulation economic activity admittedly determination whether intrastate activity commercial noncommercial may cases result legal uncertainty long congress authority limited powers enumerated constitution long enumerated powers interpreted judicially enforceable outer limits congressional legislation commerce clause always engender legal possession gun local school zone sense economic activity might repetition elsewhere substantially affect sort interstate commerce see also kennedy concurring stating lopez alter practical conception commercial regulation congress may regulate commercial sphere assumption single market fied purpose build stable national economy federal government take ion entire areas traditional state concern areas nothing regulation commercial activities boundaries spheres federal state authority blur nlike earlier cases come neither actors conduct commercial character neither purposes design statute evident commercial nexus statute makes simple sion gun within feet grounds school criminal offense sense conduct interdependent world ultimate commercial origin consequence yet said commerce power may reach far citation omitted lopez view commerce clause case law demonstrates cases sustained federal regulation intrastate activity based upon activity substantial effects interstate commerce activity question sort economic endeavor see second consideration found important analyzing statute contained express jurisdictional element might limit reach discrete set firearm possessions additionally explicit connection effect interstate commerce jurisdictional element may establish enactment pursuance congress regulation interstate commerce third noted neither legislative history contain express congressional findings regarding effects upon interstate commerce gun possession school zone ibid quoting brief pp congress normally required make formal findings substantial burdens activity interstate commerce citing mcclung perez existence findings may enable us evaluate legislative judgment activity question substantially affect interstate commerce even though substantial effect visible naked eye finally decision lopez rested part fact link gun possession substantial effect interstate commerce attenuated argued possession guns may lead violent crime violent crime expected affect functioning national economy two ways first costs violent crime substantial mechanism insurance costs spread throughout population second violent crime reduces willingness individuals travel areas within country perceived unsafe citation omitted government also argued presence guns schools poses threat educational process turn threatens produce less efficient productive workforce negatively affect national productivity thus interstate commerce ibid rejected costs crime national productivity arguments permit congress regulate violent crime activities might lead violent crime regardless tenuously relate interstate commerce noted reasoning congress regulate activity found related economic productivity individual citizens family law including marriage divorce child custody example se theories difficult perceive limitation federal power even areas criminal law enforcement education historically sovereign thus accept government arguments hard pressed posit activity individual congress without power regulate ibid principles underlying commerce clause jurisprudence reference points proper resolution present cases clear crimes violence sense phrase economic activity need adopt categorical rule aggregating effects noneconomic activity order decide cases thus far nation history cases upheld commerce clause regulation intrastate activity activity economic nature see cases cited therein like school zones act issue lopez contains jurisdictional element establishing federal cause action pursuance congress power regulate interstate commerce although lopez makes clear jurisdictional element lend support argument sufficiently tied interstate commerce congress elected cast remedy wider purely intrastate body violent contrast lack congressional findings faced lopez supported numerous findings regarding serious impact violence victims families see conf existence congressional findings sufficient sustain constitutionality commerce clause legislation stated lopez imply congress may conclude particular activity substantially affects interstate commerce necessarily make quoting hodel rehnquist concurring judgment rather hether particular operations affect interstate commerce sufficiently come constitutional power congress regulate ultimately judicial rather legislative question settled finally quoting heart atlanta motel black concurring cases congress findings substantially weakened fact rely heavily method reasoning already rejected unworkable maintain constitution enumeration powers congress found violence affects interstate commerce deterring potential victims traveling interstate engaging employment interstate business transacting business places involved interstate commerce diminishing national productivity increasing medical costs decreasing supply demand interstate products conf accord given findings petitioners arguments concern expressed lopez congress might use commerce clause completely obliterate constitution distinction national local authority seems well founded see lopez supra reasoning petitioners advance seeks follow causal chain initial occurrence violent crime suppression always prime object police power every attenuated effect upon interstate commerce accepted petitioners reasoning allow congress regulate crime long nationwide aggregated impact crime substantial effects employment production transit consumption indeed congress may regulate violence able regulate murder type violence since violence subset violent crime certain lesser economic impacts larger class part petitioners reasoning moreover limit congress regulating violence may suggested lopez applied equally well family law areas traditional state regulation since aggregate effect marriage divorce childrearing national omy undoubtedly significant congress may recognized specter expressly precluded used family law see written constitution however limitation congressional authority solely matter legislative see lopez supra kennedy concurring marbury cranch accordingly reject argument congress may regulate noneconomic violent criminal conduct based solely conduct aggregate effect interstate commerce constitution requires distinction truly national truly local lopez citing jones laughlin steel recognizing fact preserve one principles consistent since clause adopted regulation punishment intrastate violence directed instrumentalities channels goods involved interstate commerce always province see cohens virginia wheat marshall stating congress general right punish murder committed within clear congress punish felonies generally indeed think better example police power founders denied national government reposed suppression violent crime vindication see lopez constitution withhold congress plenary police power thomas concurring always rejected readings commerce clause scope federal power permit congress exercise police power noting first congresses enact nationwide punishments criminal conduct commerce clause iii conclude commerce clause provide congress authority enact address petitioners alternative argument section civil remedy upheld exercise congress remedial power fourteenth amendment noted congress expressly invoked fourteenth amendment source authority enact principles governing analysis congressional legislation well settled section congress may enforce appropriate legislation constitutional guarantee state shall deprive person life liberty property without due process law deny person equal protection laws city boerne flores section positive grant legislative power katzenbach morgan includes authority prohibit conduct unconstitutional intrud legislative spheres autonomy previously reserved flores supra quoting fitzpatrick bitzer see also kimel florida bd regents slip however broad congressional enforcement power unlimited oregon mitchell see also kimel supra slip fact discuss detail several limitations inherent text constitutional context recognized since fourteenth amendment adopted petitioners argument founded assertion pervasive bias various state justice systems victims violence assertion supported voluminous congressional record specifically congress received evidence many participants state justice systems perpetuating array erroneous stereotypes assumptions congress concluded discriminatory stereotypes often result insufficient investigation prosecution crime inappropriate focus behavior credibility victims crime unacceptably lenient punishments actually convicted violence see conf petitioners contend bias denies victims violence equal protection laws congress therefore acted appropriately enacting private civil remedy perpetrators violence remedy bias deter future instances discrimination state courts cases established gender discrimination violates equal protection unless serves important governmental objectives discriminatory means employed substantially related achievement objectives virginia quoting mississippi univ women hogan turn quoting wengler druggists mut ins see also craig boren however language purpose fourteenth amendment place certain limitations manner congress may attack discriminatory conduct limitations necessary prevent fourteenth amendment obliterating framers carefully crafted balance power national government see flores supra reviewing history fourteenth amendment enactment discussing contemporary belief amendment concentrate power general government purpose police government within quoting cooley constitutional limitations ed foremost among limitations principle fourteenth amendment terms prohibits state action principle become firmly embedded constitutional law action inhibited first section fourteenth amendment action may fairly said amendment erects shield merely private conduct however discriminatory wrongful shelley kraemer shortly fourteenth amendment adopted decided two cases interpreting amendment provisions harris civil rights cases harris considered challenge civil rights act section sought punish private persons conspiring deprive one equal protection laws enacted state provisions fourteenth amendment reference state action exclusively action private individuals harris supra misquotation harris reached similar conclusion civil rights cases consolidated cases held public accommodation provisions civil rights act applied purely private conduct beyond scope enforcement power settled early fourteenth amendment give congress general power prohibit discrimination public accommodations lugar edmondson oil careful adherence state action requirement preserves area individual freedom limiting reach federal law federal judicial power blum yaretsky moose lodge irvis adickes kress cruikshank fourteenth amendment prohibits state depriving person life liberty property without due process law adds nothing rights one citizen another simply furnishes additional guaranty encroachment upon fundamental rights belong every citizen member society force doctrine stare decisis behind decisions stems length time books also insight attributable members time every member appointed president lincoln grant hayes garfield arthur judicial appointees obviously intimate knowledge familiarity events surrounding adoption fourteenth amendment petitioners contend two recent decisions effect overruled longstanding limitation congress authority rely guest proposition rule laid civil rights cases longer good law guest reversed construction indictment saying course opinion deal issues statutory construction issues constitutional power three members separate opinion justice brennan expressed view civil rights cases wrongly decided congress prohibit actions private individuals opinion concurring part dissenting part three members joined opinion joined separate opinion justice clark two three sentences stated conclusion congress punis conspiracies without state action interfere fourteenth amendment rights concurring opinion justice harlan another separate opinion commented respect statement justices action three justices joined opinion nonetheless cursorily pronouncing constitutional questions deliberately reached part ii seems say least extraordinary opinion concurring part dissenting part though three justices saw fit opine matters guest occasion revisit civil rights cases harris determined indictment charging private individuals conspiring deprive blacks equal access state facilities fact contain ed express allegation state involvement concluded implicit allegation active connivance agents state eliminated need decide threshold level state action must attain order create rights equal protection clause ibid justice clark explicitly acknowledged see concurring opinion interpretation indictment clearly avoids question whether congress appropriate legislation power punish private conspiracies interfere fourteenth amendment rights right utilize public facilities accept petitioners argument moreover one must add three justices joining justice brennan reasoned explanation belief civil rights cases wrongly decided three justices joining justice clark opinion gave explanation whatever similar view simply way reasoned constitutional adjudication proceeds accordingly hesitation saying take naked dicta contained justice clark opinion added justice brennan opinion cast doubt upon enduring vitality civil rights cases harris petitioners also rely district columbia carter carter case addressing question whether district columbia state within meaning rev stat section terms requires state action may employed opinion recites litany respecting guest petitioners rely litany course entirely dicta event rise source believe description power contained civil rights cases correct subject submitted general legislative power congress submitted thereto purpose rendering effective prohibition particular tate legislation tate action reference subject power given limited object legislation congress matter must necessarily corrective character adapted counteract redress operation prohibited state laws proceedings tate officers petitioners alternatively argue unlike situation civil rights cases disparate treatment state authorities whereas cases indication state action abundant evidence however show congresses enacted civil rights acts purpose similar congress enacting state laws books bespeaking equality treatment administration laws discrimination newly freed slaves statement representative garfield house senator sumner senate representative chief complaint laws state unequal even laws equal face yet systematic maladministration neglect refusal enforce provisions portion people denied equal protection cong globe app statement garfield legislature south carolina passed law giving precisely rights contained supplementary civil rights bill law remains dead letter state courts comprised largely senator wishes obtain amnesty refuse enforce cong globe statement sumner see also cong globe statement osborn statement coburn app statement perry cong rec statement butler cong rec statement lynch even distinction valid believe save civil remedy remedy simply corrective character adapted counteract redress operation prohibited tate laws proceedings tate officers civil rights cases flores section aimed proscribing discrimination officials fourteenth amendment might proscribe directed state state actor individuals committed criminal acts motivated gender bias present cases example visits consequence whatever virginia public official involved investigating prosecuting brzonkala assault section therefore unlike remedies previously upheld example katzenbach morgan congress prohibited new york imposing literacy tests prerequisite voting found requirement disenfranchised thousands puerto rican immigrants educated spanish language home territory law upheld directed new york officials administered state election law prohibited using provision law south carolina katzenbach congress imposed voting rights requirements congress found history discriminating blacks voting remedy also directed state officials similarly ex parte virginia congress criminally punished state officials intentionally discriminated jury selection remedy directed culpable state official section also different previously upheld remedies applies uniformly throughout nation congress findings indicate problem discrimination victims crimes exist even contrast remedy upheld katzenbach morgan supra directed state evil found congress existed south carolina katzenbach supra remedy directed congress found discrimination reasons conclude congress power extend enactment iv petitioner brzonkala complaint alleges victim brutal assault congress effort provide federal civil remedy sustained neither commerce clause fourteenth amendment allegations true civilized system justice fail provide remedy conduct respondent morrison federal system remedy must provided commonwealth virginia judgment appeals affirmed petitioner antonio morrison et al christy brzonkala petitioner antonio morrison et al writs certiorari appeals fourth circuit may justice thomas concurring majority opinion correctly applies decision lopez join full write separately express view notion substantial effects test commerce clause inconsistent original understanding congress powers early commerce clause cases continuing apply rootless malleable standard however circumscribed encouraged federal government persist view commerce clause virtually limits replaces existing commerce clause jurisprudence standard consistent original understanding continue see congress appropriating state police powers guise regulating commerce petitioner antonio morrison et al christy brzonkala petitioner antonio morrison et al writs certiorari appeals fourth circuit may justice souter justice stevens justice ginsburg justice breyer join dissenting says leaves commerce clause precedent undisturbed civil rights remedy violence women act exceeds congress power clause find claims irreconcilable respectfully cases remain least nominally undisturbed stand following propositions congress power legislate regard activity aggregate substantial effect interstate commerce see wickard filburn hodel virginia surface mining reclamation fact substantial effect issue courts first instance congress whose institutional capacity gathering evidence taking testimony far exceeds passing legislation congress indicates conclusion whether explicitly facts support exercise commerce power business courts review congressional assessment soundness simply rationality concluding jurisdictional basis exists fact see ibid explicit findings congress chooses make though dispositive question rationality may advance judicial review identifying factual authority congress relied applying propositions cases lead one conclusion one obvious difference lopez mountain data assembled congress showing effects violence women interstate passage act preceded four years included testimony physicians law professors survivors rape domestic violence representatives state law enforcement private record includes reports gender bias task forces benefit specific factual findings eight separate reports issued congress committees long course leading compare hodel noting extended hearings vast amounts testimony documentary evidence years thorough legislative consideration respect domestic violence congress received evidence following findings three four american women victims violent crimes sometime life citing dept justice report nation crime justice ed violence leading cause injuries women ages citing surgeon general antonia novello surgeon general public health services jama many percent homeless women children fleeing domestic violence citing schneider legal reform efforts battered women past present future july since assault rate women outstripped rate men least twice age groups far others citing bureau justice statistics criminal victimization table attering single largest cause injury women quoting van hightower mcmanus limits state constitutional guarantees lessons efforts implement domestic violence policies pub admin rev estimated million american women battered year husbands partners citing council scientific affairs american medical violence women relevance medical practitioners jama million women seek medical assistance year injuries sustained husbands partners citing stark flitcraft medical therapy repression case battered woman health medicine women die every year domestic abuse citing schneider supra rrest rates may low every domestic assaults citing dutton profiling wife assaulters preliminary evidence trimodal analysis violence victims partial estimates show violent crime women costs country least billion million billion dollars year citing schneider supra stimates suggest spend billion year health care criminal justice social costs domestic violence citing biden domestic violence crime quarrel trial june evidence rape similarly extensive supporting conclusions incidence rape rose four times fast total national crime rate past years citing federal bureau investigation uniform crime reports according one study close half million girls high school raped graduate citing warshaw never called rape one hundred thousand college women expect raped year citing testimony mary koss senate judiciary committee women never go movies alone dark fear rape nearly percent use public transit alone dark reason citing gordon riger female fear percent judges surveyed believed juries give sexual assault victims less credibility crime victims citing colorado task force gender bias courts gender justice colorado courts less percent rape victims collected damages citing report jury verdict research individual commits rape chances arrested prosecuted found guilty offense quoting feild bienen jurors rape study psychology law almost convicted rapists never go prison another quarter received sentences local jails average sentence months citing majority staff report senate committee judiciary response rape detours road equal justice comm print lmost percent rape victims lose jobs forced quit crime severity citing ellis atkeson calhoun assessment reaction rape abnormal based data thus partially summarized congress found crimes violence motivated gender substantial adverse effect interstate commerce deterring potential victims traveling interstate engaging employment interstate business transacting business places involved interstate commerce diminishing national productivity increasing medical costs decreasing supply demand interstate products conf congress thereby explicitly stated predicate exercise commerce clause power conclusion irrational view data amassed true methodology particular studies may challenged figures arrived may disputed sufficiency evidence congress provide rational basis finding seriously questioned cf turner broadcasting system fcc constitution gives congress role weighing conflicting evidence legislative process indeed legislative record far voluminous record compiled congress found sufficient two prior cases upholding title ii civil rights act commerce clause challenges heart atlanta motel katzenbach mcclung referred evidence showing consequences racial discrimination motels restaurants interstate commerce congress relied compelling anecdotal reports individual instances segregation cost thousands millions dollars see civil rights public accommodations hearings senate committee commerce app pp congress also evidence average black family spent substantially less average white family income range public accommodations discrimination accounted much difference pt pp table ii additional views hon william mcculloch hon john lindsay hon william cahill hon garner shriver hon clark macgregor hon charles mcc mathias hon james bromwell congress knowledge calculate aggregate dollar values nationwide effects racial discrimination rely evidence harms caused domestic violence sexual assault citing annual costs billion see billion see equally important though violence shown operate manner similar racial discrimination reducing mobility employees production consumption goods shipped interstate commerce like racial discrimination violence bars likely targets women full partic ipation national economy analogy civil rights act plain enough one always look back bit wickard upheld application agricultural adjustment act planting consumption homegrown wheat effect interstate commerce case followed possibility wheat grown home personal consumption either drawn market rising prices relieve grower need purchase wheat market see commerce clause predicate simply effect production wheat home consumption supply demand interstate commerce supply demand goods interstate commerce also affected deaths women annually hands domestic abusers see reduction work force rape victims lose jobs year forced quit see violence women may found affect interstate commerce affect ii act passed muster time wickard lopez period law enjoyed stable understanding congressional power commerce clause complemented authority necessary proper clause art cl extended activity aggregated substantial effect interstate commerce already noted understanding secure even turmoil passage civil rights act aftermath reaffirmed cumulative effects rational basis features substantial effects test see heart atlanta supra mcclung supra declined limit commerce power formal distinction legislation focused commerce statutes addressing moral social wrong heart atlanta supra fact act pass muster today therefore proof degree lopez nominal adherence substantial effects test merely although new jurisprudence emerged distinctness clear congressional conclusions obviously substantial cumulative effects commerce assigned lesser values doctrine assign devaluations accomplished express repudiation substantial effects test application aggregation individual conduct supplanting rational basis scrutiny new criterion review thus elusive heart majority analysis cases statement congress findings fact weakened presence disfavored method reasoning ante seems suggest substantial effects analysis factual enquiry congress first instance subsequent judicial review looking rationality congressional conclusion one rather different sort dependent upon uniquely judicial competence new characterization substantial effects support cases prophecies lopez aside least majority cites perhaps explains majority content rest cited precedent claims textual justification moving toward new system congressional deference subject selective discounts thus purports rely sensible traditional understanding listing constitution powers implies exclusion others unmentioned see gibbons ogden wheat ante federalist cooke ed madison majority stresses art enumerates powers congress including commerce power enumeration implying exclusion powers enumerated follows majority must limits commerce particular subjects arguably within commerce power identified advance excluded basis characteristics commercial effects exclusions come sight activity regulated commercial traditionally addressed exercise general police power conferred state constitutions never extended congress constitution nation see lopez ante premise enumeration powers implies powers withheld sound conclusion particular categories subject matter therefore presumptively beyond reach commerce power however non sequitur fact art cl grants authority limited regulating commerce follows congress may claim authority section address subject affect commerce follow activity affecting commerce nonetheless falls outside commerce power depending specific character activity authority state regulate along disagreement majority however confined logic history shown categorical exclusions proven unworkable practice unsupportable theory obviously inconsistent text commerce clause declare noncommercial primary activity beyond presumptively beyond scope commerce power variant categorical approach however sole textually permissible way defining scope commerce clause neat limitation least suspect light final sentence article authorizing congress make laws necessary proper give effect enumerated powers commerce see darby power congress extends activities intrastate affect interstate commerce exercise power congress make regulation appropriate means attainment legitimate end exercise granted power congress regulate interstate commerce accordingly significant periods history defined commerce power plenary unsusceptible categorical exclusions view expressed throughout latter part century substantial effects test two conceptions commerce power plenary categorically limited fact old rivals today revival competition summons familiar history brief reprise may helpful posing take key question going legitimacy majority decision breathe new life approach categorical limitation chief justice marshall seminal opinion gibbons ogden supra construed commerce power start breadth never yet exceeded wickard filburn lottery case minnesota rate cases california darby heart atlanta motel quoting katzenbach mcclung justice harlan spoke benefit hindsight seen result rejecting plenary view today attempt distinguish primary activities affecting commerce terms relatively commercial noncommercial character primary conduct proscribed comes pedigree outlined lopez supra dissenting opinion half century following modern activation commerce power passage interstate commerce act time time created categorical enclaves beyond congressional reach declaring activities mining production manufacturing union membership outside definition commerce limiting application effects test direct rather indirect commercial consequences see knight narrowly construing sherman antitrust act light distinction commerce manufacture heff stating congress regulate intrastate sale liquor employers liability cases invalidating law governing tort liability common carriers operating interstate commerce effects commerce indirect adair holding labor union membership fell outside commerce hammer dagenhart invalidating law prohibiting interstate shipment goods manufactured child labor regulation manufacture schechter poultry invalidating regulation activities indirectly affected commerce railroad retirement bd alton invalidating pension law railroad workers grounds conditions employment indirectly linked commerce carter carter coal holding regulation unfair labor practices mining regulated production commerce since adherence formalistically contrived confines commerce power large measure provoked judicial crisis one might reasonably doubted members ever toy return days nlrb jones laughlin steel brought earlier nearly disastrous experiment end yet today decision seen step toward recapturing prior mistakes revival distinction commercial noncommercial conduct odds wickard repudiated analysis enquiry commercial purpose first intimated lopez concurrence see lopez supra opinion kennedy cousin analysis employed hammer supra rejected commerce clause purposes heart atlanta supra darby supra majority tempted reject lesson painfully learned answer emerges contrasting wickard one predecessor cases superseded obvious wickard growing wheat consumption right farm commerce common matter constitutionally long aggregated activity domestic wheat growing affected commerce substantially years wickard however certainly less obvious mining practices substantially affect commerce even though carter coal supra held mining regulation beyond national commerce power try fathom difference two cases clear go different directions carter coal understand causal connection wickard grasp difference rather turned fact carter coal reason trying maintain categorical formalistic distinction reason abandoned time wickard decided reason economics point keep government interference minimum see lopez supra souter dissenting carter coal still trying create world economy formalistic commercial distinctions thought useful instruments achieving object wickard knew thing aftermath new deal long since stopped attempting impossible without animating economic theory point contriving formalisms war chief justice marshall conception commerce power ask formalistic distinction might matter today rejection wickard answer majority fails see causal connections integrated economic world answer minds majority new animating theory makes categorical formalism seem useful old formalism value service economic conception new one useful serving conception federalism instrument assertions national power limited favor preserving supposedly discernible proper sphere state autonomy legislate refrain legislating individual see fit legitimacy current emphasis noncommercial nature regulated activity turn logic serving text commerce clause realism majority view national economy essential issue rather strength majority claim constitutional warrant current conception federal relationship enforceable limits otherwise plenary commerce power conception subject majority second categorical discount applied today facts bearing substantial effects test finds relevant statute addresses conduct traditionally subject state prohibition domestic criminal law fact said heightened significance violent conduct question aimed directly interstate commerce instrumentalities ante history seems recycling theory traditional state concern grounding limiting principle rejected previously disapproved darby recognition general doctrine implied federal constitution two governments national state exercise powers interfere free full exercise powers internal quotation marks omitted held clear federal government acting within delegated power may override countervailing state interests whether described governmental proprietary character ibid wirtz later overruled national league cities usery case repudiated garcia san antonio metropolitan transit authority held concept traditional governmental function element immunity doctrine hodel incoherent explanation make sense multifarious decisions placing functions one side line effort carve inviolable state spheres within spectrum activities substantially affecting commerce course irreconcilable gibbons explanation national commerce power absolut single government objection reviving traditional state spheres action consideration commerce analysis however rests portent incoherence compounded defect fundamental defect essence majority rejection founders considered judgment politics judicial review mediate state national interests strength legislative jurisdiction national government inevitably increased expected growth national whereas today majority takes leaf book old judicial economists saying somehow draw line keep federal relationship proper balance madison wilson marshall understood constitution differently although madison emphasized conception national government discrete powers conception number ratifying conventions thought indeterminate protect civil liberties madison must sensed potential scope powers granted authority regulate commerce took care federalist hedge argument limited power explaining importance national politics protecting interests national government partake sufficiently spirit disinclined invade rights individual prerogatives governments federalist james wilson likewise noted favorite object convention secure sovereignty achieved structure federal government elliot debates framers bill rights turn may well sensed madison wilson right politics determinant federal balance within broad limits power like commerce formulated tenth amendment without provision comparable specific guarantees proposed individual case recognized political component federalism seminal gibbons opinion declaring plenary character congressional power within sphere activity affecting commerce chief justice spoke explaining one restraint valid exercise wisdom discretion congress identity people influence constituents possess elections many instances example declaring war sole restraints relied secure abuse restraints people must often rely solely representative governments gibbons supra politics moderator congressional employment commerce power theme many years later wickard acknowledged breadth gibbons formulation invoked chief justice marshall yet adding made emphatic embracing penetrating nature power warning effective restraints exercise must proceed political rather judicial processes wickard citation omitted hence conflicts economic interest wisely left system resolution congress flexible responsible legislative process conflicts rarely lend judicial determination wisdom workability fairness plan regulation nothing omitted conflicts economic interest supposed conflicts sovereign political interests implicated commerce clause constitution remits politics point put clearly put last time repudiated notion state activities categorically defied commerce power understood accordance generally accepted concepts confirming madison wilson views recitation sources state influence structure national constitution garcia disposed possibility identifying principled constitutional limitations scope congress commerce clause powers merely relying priori definitions state sovereignty concluded framers chose rely federal system special restraints federal power inhered principally workings national government rather discrete limitations objects federal authority state sovereign interests properly protected procedural safeguards inherent structure federal system judicially created limitations federal power garcia rejection judicially created limitations favor intended reliance national politics powerful owing explicit recognition centuries since framing relative powers two sovereign systems markedly changed nationwide economic integration norm national political power augmented vast revenues power drawn seventeenth amendment eliminating selection senators state legislature favor direct election garcia majority recognized economic growth burgeoning federal revenue amended constitution contains circuit breaker preclude political consequences developments justification attempts nullify natural political impact particular amendment adopted significance state political power ending state legislative selection senators secret amendment approved despite public comment issue representative franklin bartlett quoting madison federalist well remarks george mason john dickinson constitutional convention concluded follows therefore framers constitution present house inevitably regard resolution direct blow doctrine state rights integrity state sovereignties deprive state collective organism share general government annihilate federative importance cong rec massachusetts senator george hoar likewise defended indirect election senate great security rights doc elihu root warned selection senators taken state legislatures tide sets toward federal government swell volume power cong rec time come continued government driven exercise arbitrary unconsidered power driven greater concentration driven extend functions internal affairs ibid warnings kill proposal amendment ratified today ratification predictions legitimately amendments alter balance power national state governments like fourteenth change way represented within federal government like seventeenth rips fabric framers constitution inviting judicial repairs seventeenth amendment may indeed lessened enthusiasm senate represent discrete sovereignties amendment convert judiciary alternate shield commerce power choice invoke considerations traditional state regulation cases especially odd light distinction recognized opinion usery explaining inconsistency declaring immune commerce power exercised fair labor standards act subject economic stabilization act decided fry spoke latter statute dealing serious threat affecting political components federal system collective action national government might forestall usery today majority however finds significance whatever state support act based upon acknowledged failure deal adequately violence state courts belief law enforcement agencies national action national association attorneys general supported act unanimously see violence women victims system hearing senate committee judiciary attorneys general urged congress enact civil rights remedy representing current system dealing violence women inadequate see crimes violence motivated gender hearing subcommittee civil constitutional rights house committee judiciary record failure state level act passed provide choice federal forum place systems found inadequate stop violence see women violence hearing senate committee judiciary statement biden noting importance federal forum act accordingly offers federal civil rights remedy aimed exactly violence women alternative generic state tort causes action found poor tools action state task forces see noting difficulty fitting crimes categories senate report put violence women act intended respond underlying attitude violence somehow less serious crime resulting failure criminal justice system address violence goals symbolic practical collective opinion state officials act needed continues virtually unchanged civil rights remedy challenged came defense commonwealth puerto rico filed amicus brief support petitioners cases one state taken respondents side least irony cases forced enjoy new federalism whether want decision today antonio morrison like carter coal james carter rights plea jackson struggle judicial supremacy iii convinces today ebb commerce power rests error time leads doubt majority view prove enduring law yet one reason doubt although sense presence carter coal schechter usery majority embraces decisions stood rules today opinion points considerations substantial effects discounted cases standing sufficiency substantial effects overruled cases overruled since quite revived thinking betokens less clearly return conceptual straitjackets schechter carter coal usery something like unsteady state obscenity law redrup new york per curiam miller california period failure provide workable definition left review case ad hoc see interstate circuit dallas harlan dissenting predecessors learned practice ad hoc review preserve distinction judicial legislative event lacks institutional capacity maintain regime long one end majority realizes conception commerce power entertains hopes inevitably fail test expressed justice holmes statement first call theory law fit facts holmes common law howe ed facts ignored today facts integrated national commerce political relationship nation much affected respective treasuries constitutional modifications adopted people federalism earlier time adequate account facts today theory able govern national economy years ago petitioner antonio morrison et al christy brzonkala petitioner antonio morrison et al writs certiorari appeals fourth circuit may justice breyer justice stevens joins justice souter justice ginsburg join part dissenting one denies importance constitution federalist principles division authority protects liberty restricting burdens government impose distance facilitating citizen participation government closer home question judiciary best implement original federalist understanding commerce clause issue majority holds federal commerce power extend noneconomic activities noneconomic violent criminal conduct significantly affects interstate commerce aggregate interstate effect individual instances ante justice souter explains history precedent legal logic militate majority approach agree join opinion add majority holding illustrates difficulty finding workable judicial commerce clause touchstone set comprehensible interpretive rules courts might use impose meaningful limit great limit upon scope legislative authority commerce clause delegates congress consider problems distinction easy apply local street corner mugger engage economic activity noneconomic activity mugs money see perez aggregating local loan sharking instances lopez loan sharking economic consists intrastate extortionate credit transactions ante evidence desire economic domination underlies many brutal crimes women save present statute see general accounting office health education human services division domestic violence prevalence implications employment among welfare recipients brief equal rights advocates et al amicus curiae line becomes yet harder draw given need exceptions permit congress aggregate hence regulate noneconomic activity taking place economic establishments see heart atlanta motel upholding civil rights laws forbidding discrimination local motels katzenbach mcclung restaurants lopez supra recognizing congressional power aggregate hence forbid noneconomically motivated discrimination public accommodations ante permit congress regulate regulation essential part larger regulation economic activity regulatory scheme undercut unless intrastate activity regulated lopez supra cf controlled substances act et seq regulating drugs produced home consumption given former exception congress simply rewrite present law limit application restaurants hotels perhaps universities places public accommodation given latter exception congress save present law including much broader safe transport workplace safety act important give critical constitutional importance economic noneconomic nature cause chemical emanations indirect environmental change cause identical severe commercial harm outside state matter whether local factories home fireplaces release constitution refers congress power regulate commerce among several make laws necessary proper implement power art cls language says nothing either local nature economic nature cause long held interstate commercial effects local nature cause constitutionally relevant see nlrb jones laughlin steel focusing upon interstate effects wickard filburn aggregating interstate effects wheat grown home consumption heart atlanta motel supra interstate commerce feels pinch matter local operation applies quoting women sportswear mfrs nothing constitution language earlier cases prior lopez explains ignore one highly relevant characteristic cause local placing critical constitutional weight upon different less obviously relevant feature economic important complex rules seem unlikely help secure object seek namely protection areas traditional state regulation federal intrusion ante rules even broadly interpreted underinclusive local pickpocket less traditional subject state regulation local assault regardless reaffirms congress frequently exercised power enact laws satisfy jurisdictional prerequisite example item relevant federally regulated activity time crossed state line ante lopez supra heart atlanta motel supra authority congress keep channels interstate commerce free immoral injurious uses frequently sustained longer open quoting caminetti see also bass saving ambiguous statute requiring gun crossed state line scarborough interpreting statute require gun passed interstate commerce time without questioning constitutionality making federal crime person cross state lines commit crime violence spouse intimate partner federal crime commit robbery extortion physical violence threat thereof article commodity commerce affected obstructed delayed making unlawful knowing receipt possession certain stolen items crossed state boundary prohibiting felons shipping transporting receiving possessing firearms interstate commerce world everyday products component parts cross interstate boundaries congress frequently find possible redraft statute using language ties regulation interstate movement relevant object thereby regulating local criminal activity matter family affairs see child support recovery act although possibility give federal government power regulate everything means substantive limitation apply randomly terms interests majority seeks protect much gained example congress reenact present law form act forbidding violence women perpetrated public accommodations moved use items moved interstate commerce complex commerce clause rules creating fine distinctions achieve random results little important federalist interests called modern case law rejected see wickard supra darby jones laughlin steel supra majority aware difficulties nonetheless concerned sees important contrary consideration determine lawfulness statutes simply asking whether congress reasonably found aggregated local instances significantly affect interstate commerce allow congress regulate almost anything virtually local activity instances aggregated substantial effects employment production transit consumption hence congress regulate crime perhaps marriage divorce childrearing well obliterating constitution distinction national local authority ante lopez need distinction direct indirect effects lest virtually limit federal power hammer dagenhart similar observation consideration however serious reflect jurisprudential defect much reflects practical reality live nation knit together two centuries scientific technological commercial environmental change changes taken together mean virtually every kind activity matter local genuinely affect commerce conditions outside state least considered aggregate heart atlanta motel fact makes close impossible courts develop meaningful categories exclude kinds local activities ordinary commerce clause aggregation rules without time depriving congress power regulate activities genuine important effect upon interstate commerce since judges change world defect means within bounds rational congress courts must remain primarily responsible striking appropriate balance garcia san antonio metropolitan transit authority ante souter dissenting kimel florida bd regents slip stevens dissenting framers designed important structural safeguards ensure congress legislates normal operation legislative process adequately defend state interests undue infringement see also kramer putting politics back political safeguards federalism colum rev focusing role political process political parties protecting state interests congress institutionally motivated members represent state local district interests consider views state local officials legislate even developed formal procedures ensure consideration takes place see unfunded mandates reform act pub stat codified scattered sections moreover congress often better reflect state concerns autonomy details sophisticated statutory schemes judiciary easily gather relevant facts must apply general legal rules categories see clean air act et seq clean water act see also new york collecting examples cooperative federalism surprisingly bulk american law still state law overwhelmingly also note congress enacted statute followed procedures help protect federalism values stake provided adequate notice intent legislate traditional state regulation ante response attorneys general overwhelming majority supported congressional legislation telling congress ur experience attorneys general strengthens belief problem violence women national one requiring federal attention federal leadership federal funds see also violence women victims system hearing senate committee judiciary unanimous resolution national association attorneys general cf crimes violence motivated gender hearing subcommittee civil constitutional rights house committee judiciary conference chief justices opposing legislation moreover justice souter pointed congress compiled mountain data explicitly documenting interstate commercial effects crimes violence ante dissenting opinion considering alternatives focused federal law upon documented deficiencies state legal systems tailored law prevent use certain areas traditional state concern divorce alimony child custody consequently law us seems represent instance conflict efforts cooperate order help solve mutually acknowledged national problem cf providing federal moneys encourage state local initiatives combat violence call attention legislative process leading enactment statute majority recognizes ante far surpasses led enactment statute considered lopez even accept lopez accurate statement law distinction provides possible basis upholding law occasion pointed importance procedural limitations keeping power congress check see garcia supra substantive restraint exercise commerce clause powers must find justification procedural nature basic limitation must tailored compensate possible failings national political process rather dictate sacred province state quoting eeoc wyoming see also gregory ashcroft insisting upon plain statement congressional intent congress legislates areas traditionally regulated cf hampton mow sun wong fullilove klutznick stevens dissenting commentators also suggested thoroughness legislative procedures whether congress took hard look might sometimes make determinative difference commerce clause case say congress legislates area traditional state regulation see jackson federalism uses limits law printz principle harv rev gardbaum rethinking constitutional federalism texas rev lessig translating federalism lopez rev see also treaty establishing european community art bermann taking subsidiarity seriously federalism european community colum rev arguing similar limitation respect somewhat analogous principle subsidiarity european community gardbaum supra applying subsidiarity principles american federalism course judicial insistence congress follow particular procedures might intrude upon congressional prerogatives embody difficult definitional problems intrusion problems consequences seem less serious embodied majority approach see supra continue agree justice souter traditional rational basis approach sufficient ante dissenting opinion see also lopez souter dissenting breyer dissenting recognize law area unstable time experience may demonstrate unworkability majority rules superiority congress procedural approach case law may evolve towards rule certain difficult commerce clause cases takes account thoroughness congress considered federalism issue reasons well set forth justice souter statute falls well within congress commerce clause authority dissent contrary conclusion ii given conclusion commerce clause question need consider congress authority fourteenth amendment nonetheless doubt reasoning rejecting source authority points harris civil rights cases held authorize congress use fourteenth amendment source power remedy conduct private persons ante certainly federal government argument however congress used remedy actions state actors namely discriminatory design discriminatory conduct officials failed provide adequate state remedies women injured violence failure congress documented depth see ante souter dissenting collecting sources neither harris civil rights cases considered kind claim harris specifically said treated federal laws question directed exclusively action private persons without reference laws state administration officers emphasis added see also civil rights cases observing statute profess corrective constitutional wrong committed established rules conduct individuals society towards without referring manner supposed action state authorities responds directly relevant state actor claim finding present law lacks congruence state discrimination purports remedy ante see city boerne flores law unlike federal laws prohibiting literacy tests voting imposing voting rights requirements punishing state officials intentionally discriminated jury selection katzenbach morgan south carolina katzenbach ex parte virginia directed state state actor ante congress provide remedy private actors private actors course violate constitution held congress least sometimes enact remedial egislation prohibits conduct unconstitutional flores see also katzenbach morgan supra south carolina katzenbach supra statutory remedy sense purport determine constitutes constitutional violation flores supra intrudes little upon either private parties may lead state actors improve remedial systems primarily example restricts private actors imposing liability private conduct main already forbidden state law remedy disproportionate given relation remedy violation creation federal remedy substitute constitutionally inadequate state remedies lack congruence majority adds congress found problem inadequacy state remedies exist even ante congress task force reports least documenting constitutional violations made findings pervasive stereotypes hampering many state legal systems sometimes unconstitutionally see pp pp conf record nowhere reveals congressional finding problem exist elsewhere congress take evidence evidence national problem previously held congress must document existence problem every state prior proposing national solution deference gives congress chosen remedy flores supra suggests requirement inappropriate despite doubts majority reasoning need answer question leave thorough analysis necessary another occasion rather view commerce clause provides adequate basis statute us uphold constitutionality necessary proper exercise legislative power granted congress clause footnotes together brzonkala morrison et also certiorari footnotes panel affirmed dismissal brzonkala title ix disparate treatment claim see en banc appeals affirmed district conclusion brzonkala failed state claim alleging disparate treatment title ix vacated district dismissal hostile environment claim remanded instructions district hold claim abeyance pending decision davis monroe county bd brzonkala virginia polytechnic state grant certiorari encompass brzonkala title ix claims thus consider opinion justice souter dissent takes us task allegedly abandoning jones laughlin steel favor inadequate federalism earlier time post foregoing language jones laughlin steel makes clear however always recognized limit commerce power inherent dual system government dissent remarkable theory commerce power without judicially enforceable boundaries disregards caution jones laughlin steel allowing power effectually obliterate distinction national local ibid justice souter dissent reconcile analysis holding lopez apparently cast decision aside see post however dissent persuasively contradict lopez conclusion every case sustained federal regulation wickard aggregation principle regulated activity apparent commercial character see lopez title sole provision violence women act provide federal remedy crime section act creates federal criminal remedy punish interstate crimes abuse including crimes committed spouses intimate partners interstate travel crimes committed spouses intimate partners cross state lines continue abuse criminal provision codified person travels across state line enters leaves indian country intent injure harass intimidate person spouse intimate partner course result travel intentionally commits crime violence thereby causes bodily injury spouse intimate partner shall punished provided subsection courts appeals uniformly upheld criminal sanction appropriate exercise congress commerce clause authority reasoning provision properly falls within first lopez categories regulates use channels interstate commerce use interstate transportation routes persons goods move lankford collecting cases internal quotation marks omitted first recognize causal chain must limits commerce clause area lopez view causation obliterate distinction national local activities commerce motion outer rim communicated perceptibly though minutely recording instruments center society elastic medium transmits tremors throughout territory question size quoting schechter poultry hand concurring justice souter dissent theory gibbons ogden wheat garcia san antonio metropolitan transit authority seventeenth amendment provide answer cases see post remarkable undermines central principle constitutional system repeatedly noted framers crafted federal system government people rights secured division power see arizona evans ginsburg dissenting gregory ashcroft cataloging benefits federal design atascadero state hospital scanlon constitutionally mandated balance power federal government adopted framers ensure protection fundamental quoting garcia supra powell dissenting departing parliamentary past framers adopted written constitution divided authority federal level constitution provisions defined solely political branches scope legislative power limited public opinion legislature see marbury madison cranch marshall powers legislature defined limited limits may mistaken forgotten constitution written thus permanent indispensable feature constitutional federal judiciary exposition law constitution miller johnson quoting cooper aaron doubt political branches role interpreting applying constitution ever since marbury remained ultimate expositor constitutional text emphasized nixon performance assigned constitutional duties branch government must initially interpret constitution interpretation powers branch due great respect others many decisions however unequivocally reaffirmed holding marbury emphatically province duty judicial department say law citation omitted contrary justice souter suggestion see post gibbons exempt commerce power cardinal rule constitutional law assertion gibbons public opinion restraint congressional exercise commerce power true insofar contends political accountability limit congress exercise commerce power within power outer bounds language surrounding relied upon justice souter makes clear gibbons remove authority define boundary see gibbons supra intended say words comprehend commerce completely internal carried man man state different parts state extend affect comprehensive word among may properly restricted commerce concerns one phrase one probably selected indicate completely interior traffic state apt phrase purpose enumeration particular classes commerce power extended made intention extend power every description enumeration presupposes something enumerated something regard language subject sentence must exclusively internal commerce state justice souter disputes assertion constitution reserves general police power noting founders failed adopt several proposals additional guarantees federal encroachment state authority see post argument belied entire structure constitution careful enumeration federal powers explicit statement powers granted federal government reserved constitution realistically interpreted granting federal government unlimited license regulate see new york discussed constitution separation federal power creation judicial branch indicate disputes regarding extent congressional power largely subject judicial review see supra moreover principle constitution created federal government limited powers reserving generalized police power deeply ingrained constitutional history new york supra quoting gregory ashcroft supra see also lopez footnotes finding law valid exercise commerce clause power occasion reach question whether might also sustained exercise congress power enforce fourteenth amendment true data relate effects violence women generally civil rights remedy limits scope crimes violence motivated gender presumably somewhat narrower subset acts see meaning motivated gender elucidated lower courts much less one degree findings rely acts redressable civil rights remedy unclear appear however much data seems indicate behavior motivation event adopting cramped reading statutory text thereby increasing constitutional difficulties directly contradict one basic canons statutory interpretation see nlrb jones laughlin steel identified problem violence women congress may address sees threatening manifestation reform may take one step time williamson lee optical see domestic violence terrorism home hearing subcommittee children family drugs alcoholism senate committee labor human resources sess hearing women violence hearing senate committee judiciary sess violence women victims system hearing senate committee judiciary sess hearing violence women hearing subcommittee crime criminal justice house committee judiciary sess hearing domestic violence hearing senate committee judiciary sess hearing violent crimes women hearing senate committee judiciary sess hearing violence women fighting fear hearing senate committee judiciary sess hearing crimes violence motivated gender hearing subcommittee civil constitutional rights house committee judiciary sess domestic violence family matter hearing subcommittee crime criminal justice house committee judiciary sess see hearing testimony northeastern univ law school professor clare dalton hearing testimony univ chicago professor cass sunstein hearing testimony american medical assn robert mcafee see testimony lisa id testimony jennifer tescher see hearing testimony attorneys general iowa illinois testimony national federation business professional women hearing statement james hardeman manager counseling polaroid see judicial council california advisory committee gender bias courts achieving equal justice women men california courts july edited version report colorado task force gender bias courts gender justice colorado courts connecticut task force gender justice courts report chief justice report florida gender bias study commission mar georgia commission gender bias judicial system gender justice courts reprinted rev report illinois task force gender bias courts equality courts task force state iowa final report kentucky task force gender fairness courts equal justice women men louisiana task force women courts final report maryland special joint gender bias courts may massachusetts judicial gender bias study system massachusetts michigan task force gender issues courts final report minnesota task force gender fairness courts final report reprinted wm mitchell rev nevada gender bias task force justice women new jersey task force women courts report first year june report new york task force women courts mar final report rhode island committee women courts june utah task force gender justice report utah judicial council mar vermont vermont bar gender justice report vermont task force gender bias legal system washington state task force gender justice courts final report wisconsin equal justice task force final report see majority staff senate committee judiciary violence women increase rape america sess comm print majority staff senate committee judiciary violence women week life america sess comm print majority staff senate committee judiciary response rape detours road equal justice sess comm print conf cases accepted dramatically smaller figures see hodel indiana stating corn production value million surely insignificant amount commerce go without saying view limit congressional commerce power carries implication wisdom exercising limit members appearing congress repeatedly argued federalization traditional state crimes extension federal remedies problems historically taken responsibility may deal today see hearings subcommittee house committee appropriations pt pp testimony justice kennedy hearings subcommittee senate committee appropriations testimony justices kennedy souter judicial conference originally opposed act though original bill amended include animus requirement objection withdrawn reasons apparent see crimes violence motivated gender hearing subcommittee civil constitutional rights house committee judiciary claim powers granted withheld chief federalist argument necessity bill rights bills rights hamilton claimed application constitutions professedly founded upon power people executed immediate representatives servants strictness people surrender nothing retain every thing need particular reservations federalist james wilson went pennsylvania ratifying convention asserting enumeration rights positively dangerous suggested conversely every right reserved surrendered see elliot debates several state conventions adoption federal constitution ed hereinafter elliot debates federalists course prevail point voted constitution proposing amendments first congress speedily adopted bill rights see garcia san antonio metropolitan transit authority powell dissenting document protected range specific individual rights federal infringement possible exception second amendment offer similarly specific protections areas state sovereignty contrary always recognized federal commerce power may overlap reserved state police power cases federal authority see lake shore michigan southern ohio congress acts reference matter confided constitution statutes displace conflicting local regulations touching matter although regulations may established pursuance power surrendered general government california look activities traditionally engaged marking boundary restriction upon federal taxing power limitation upon plenary power regulate commerce contrary suggestion ante wickard applied substantial effects test domestic agricultural production domestic consumption activity fairly described commercial despite commercial consequences affecting affected demand agricultural products commercial market wickard admitted filburn activity may regarded commerce insisted may still whatever nature reached congress exerts substantial economic effect interstate commerce enterprise surely detrimental influence interstate foreign commerce without motives answer makes difference federalism legitimacy new judicially derived federalism crux disagreement see infra constitution fact forbid exercises commerce power article cl barred congress giving preference ports one state another strikingly framers protected slave trade federal interference see art cl confirmed power state guarantee chattel status slaves fled another state see art iv cl reservations demonstrate plenary nature federal power exceptions prove rule apart proposals carve islands state authority stream commerce power entirely unsuccessful roger sherman proposed definition federal legislative power excluding matters internal police met gouverneur morris response internal police infringed many cases voted eight two records federal convention pp farrand ed hereinafter farrand convention similarly rejected sherman attempt include article proviso state shall affected internal police elliot debates finally rufus king suggested explicit bill rights device might indeed set aside areas declares farrand fundamental rights individuals secured express provisions state constitutions may like security provided rights national constitution proposal came naught short suppose enumerated powers must limits sensible maintain exist judicially identifiable areas state regulation immune plenary congressional commerce power even though falling within limits defined substantial effects test deny constitutional history national economy national legislative power expand tandem recent discovery accepted prospect well years ago noting commerce powers confined instrumentalities commerce postal service known use constitution adopted keep pace progress country adapt new developments time circumstances pensacola telegraph western union telegraph see also farmers loan trust minnesota primitive conditions passed business transacted national scale mentioned supra many state conventions voted favor constitution proposing amendments see elliot debates massachusetts south carolina new hampshire virginia new york north carolina rhode island statements similar effect pervade ratification debates see massachusetts remarks samuel stillman new york remarks alexander hamilton north carolina remarks james iredell majority special solicitude areas traditional state regulation ante thus founded text constitution termed spirit tenth amendment garcia san antonio metropolitan transit authority increased recent years disregard admonition must consider country become deciding amendment reserved ibid majority tries deflect objection blocks intended political process explaining framers intended politics set federal balance within sphere permissible commerce legislation whereas looking politics define sphere derogation even marbury madison cranch ante accept view politics arbiter state interests within realm legitimate congressional action commerce power neither madison wilson marshall jones laughlin darby wickard garcia courts suggested politics defines commerce power even though recognize conditions contemporary world result vastly greater sphere influence politics framers envisioned politics legitimate authority us sides disagreement within legitimate compass commerce power majority claims merely engaging judicial task patrolling outer boundaries congressional authority see ante assertion reconciled statements substantial effects test drawn categorical distinctions majority favors see wickard darby majority attempt circumscribe commerce power defining terms categorical exceptions seen revival similar efforts led near tragedy incoherence law history lessons accepted guides commerce clause interpretation today accept subject matter act falls within commerce power choice legislate nationally subject except national legislation traditionally dealt political choice political choice see supra point take position incapable dealing adequately domestic violence political leaders simply congress evidence find national statute necessary passage obviously survives commerce clause scrutiny majority concerns accountability strike entirely misplaced individuals defendants action haled federal sued code quite aware dual sovereignties attempting regulate behavior congress chosen exercise powers fourteenth amendment proceed instead regulating rather private individuals accountability far less plain