Under the Commerce Clause, which statement correctly describes the regulation of interstate commerce?

Under the Commerce Clause, which statement correctly describes the regulation of interstate commerce?

• A. The states regulate interstate commerce
• B. The local governments regulate interstate commerce
• C. The federal government regulates intrastate commerce
• D. The federal government regulates interstate commerce

Answer: (D)

Interstate commerce involves trade that crosses state lines, and the Constitution’s Commerce Clause grants Congress the power to regulate that cross-border activity, creating a single national policy. Because this authority over commerce between the states rests with the federal government, it is the federal government that regulates interstate commerce. States handle commerce that occurs entirely within their borders (intrastate commerce), and local governments do not regulate interstate commerce. In short, the federal government regulates interstate commerce.

Interstate commerce involves trade that crosses state lines, and the Constitution’s Commerce Clause grants Congress the power to regulate that cross-border activity, creating a single national policy. Because this authority over commerce between the states rests with the federal government, it is the federal government that regulates interstate commerce. States handle commerce that occurs entirely within their borders (intrastate commerce), and local governments do not regulate interstate commerce. In short, the federal government regulates interstate commerce.