United States v. Carolene Products Company (1900)
- Docket
- 640
- Decided
- 1900-1940-
Summary
Question: Does the law violate the Commerce Power granted to Congress in Article Section 8 and the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment? Conclusion: In an opinion authored by Justice Harlan Fiske Stone, the Court upheld the act. The majority reasoned Congress may restrict shipments of certain milk substitutes without also restricting butter. Considering that Congress had held many hearings prior to passing this law, it was reasonable to conclude that Congress believed it was necessary for public welfare. Carolene Products failed to meet its burden of proving that no rational basis for the law existed. Justice Pierce Butler concurred, and Justice James McReynolds dissented.