Major Questions Doctrine. A canon of statutory interpretation holding that agencies need **clear congressional authorization** to decide issues of **vast economic or political significance**. Absent a clear statement, courts will not presume Congress delegated such power.
# Core commitments - Congress, not agencies, makes the **big moves** unless it clearly says otherwise. - Skepticism toward expansive readings of old, broad statutes for **transformative** policies.
# Methods & tools - Identify whether a case presents a **“major question.”** - Demand a **clear statement** in the statute for the asserted authority.
# Strengths claimed - **Separation of powers**: preserves legislative accountability. - **Democratic clarity**: major policies require clear votes.
# Common critiques - **Vagueness**: “major” is itself underdefined. - **Regulatory paralysis**: hampers agencies addressing new problems under old frameworks.
# Notes - West Virginia v. EPA (2022) is the leading modern articulation.