What does the Commerce Clause allow Congress to regulate?

What does the Commerce Clause allow Congress to regulate?

• A. The power to regulate only local, intrastate commerce.
• B. Interstate and international commerce.
• C. The power to regulate the monetary system.
• D. The power to regulate speech and press.

Answer: (B)

The central idea is that Congress has power to regulate economic activity that involves more than one state or foreign nations. The Commerce Clause specifically authorizes Congress to regulate interstate and international commerce, so that option is the correct one. Local intrastate commerce isn’t what this clause targets, the monetary system is handled under separate powers related to currency, and regulation of speech and press falls under First Amendment protections, not the Commerce Clause.

The central idea is that Congress has power to regulate economic activity that involves more than one state or foreign nations. The Commerce Clause specifically authorizes Congress to regulate interstate and international commerce, so that option is the correct one. Local intrastate commerce isn’t what this clause targets, the monetary system is handled under separate powers related to currency, and regulation of speech and press falls under First Amendment protections, not the Commerce Clause.