In what year was the National Industrial Recovery Act declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court?

In what year was the National Industrial Recovery Act declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court?

• A. 1933
• B. 1935
• C. 1934
• D. 1936

Answer: (B)

This question tests understanding of why the National Industrial Recovery Act faced a constitutional setback, reflecting limits on federal power during the New Deal. The act aimed to regulate industry broadly by letting the federal government set codes of fair competition and enforce them through the National Recovery Administration. The Supreme Court ruled that this approach went beyond what Congress could regulate under the Commerce Clause and that it effectively delegated legislative authority to the executive branch and to a private administrative body without clear standards. Because some industries and activities were intrastate and not truly interstate commerce, applying nationwide codes over them was unconstitutional. This decision occurred in 1935, in Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States, leading to the striking down of key NIRA provisions.

This question tests understanding of why the National Industrial Recovery Act faced a constitutional setback, reflecting limits on federal power during the New Deal. The act aimed to regulate industry broadly by letting the federal government set codes of fair competition and enforce them through the National Recovery Administration.

The Supreme Court ruled that this approach went beyond what Congress could regulate under the Commerce Clause and that it effectively delegated legislative authority to the executive branch and to a private administrative body without clear standards. Because some industries and activities were intrastate and not truly interstate commerce, applying nationwide codes over them was unconstitutional. This decision occurred in 1935, in Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States, leading to the striking down of key NIRA provisions.