Which landmark decision upheld Congress’s authority to regulate interstate commerce?

The landmark decision that upheld Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce is significant because it established a broad interpretation of the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. In Gibbons v. Ogden, the Supreme Court ruled that federal law takes precedence over state law in matters of interstate commerce. This case involved a dispute over steamboat navigation rights on the Hudson River, where the Court found that Congress had the power to regulate interstate trade, thus clarifying the extent of federal regulatory power.

Gibbons v. Ogden set a precedent that reinforced the role of the federal government in regulating economic activity that crosses state lines. This ruling was essential in promoting a more unified national economy and demonstrated how federal authority could limit state power when it comes to commerce that affects multiple states. The decision is a foundational moment in U.S. legal history, shaping the balance of power between state and federal governments.