UNITED STATES v. BUTLER
Term:
- 1901-1939
Location:
Congress
Facts of the Case
As part of the 1933 Agricultural Adjustment Act, Congress implemented a processing tax on agricultural commodities, from which funds would be redistributed to farmers who promised to reduce their acreage. The Act intended to solve the crisis in agricultural commodity prices which was causing many farmers to go under.
Question
Did Congress exceed its constitutional taxing and spending powers with the Act?
Conclusion
Decision: 6 votes for Butler, 3 vote(s) against
Legal provision: US Const Amend 10; Agricultural Adjustment Act
Legal provision: US Const Amend 10; Agricultural Adjustment Act
The Court found the Act unconstitutional because it attempted to regulate and control agricultural production, an arena reserved to the states. Even though Congress does have the power to tax and appropriate funds, argued Justice Roberts, in this case those activities were "but means to an unconstitutional end," and violated the Tenth Amendment.
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Cite this Page
UNITED STATES v. BUTLER. The Oyez Project at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. 09 February 2012. <http://www.oyez.org/cases/1901-1939/1935/1935_401/>.
UNITED STATES v. BUTLER, The Oyez Project at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, http://www.oyez.org/cases/1901-1939/1935/1935_401/ (last visited February 9, 2012).
"UNITED STATES v. BUTLER," The Oyez Project at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, accessed February 9, 2012, http://www.oyez.org/cases/1901-1939/1935/1935_401/.