Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) addressed which constitutional power?

• A. Federal consent for treaties
• B. Federal taxing authority
• C. Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce
• D. Presidential veto power

Answer: (C)

The main concept tested is the scope of Congress’s power under the Commerce Clause to regulate interstate trade, including navigation. In Gibbons v. Ogden, the Supreme Court held that Congress has broad authority to regulate commerce between states, and that this includes the transportation of people and goods across state lines. The conflict between a federal license for Gibbons to operate steamboats and a state-granted monopoly for Ogden was resolved in favor of the federal license because federal regulation of interstate commerce overrides conflicting state laws. This decision also established that federal law takes precedence under the Supremacy Clause when commerce between states is involved, laying the groundwork for widespread federal regulation of the economy. It isn’t about treaties, taxing authority, or presidential veto powers.