Under what conditions does Chevron deference apply to a statute interpreted by an agency?

Under what conditions does Chevron deference apply to a statute interpreted by an agency?

• A. When the statute is ambiguous and the agency's interpretation is reasonable.
• B. When the statute is unambiguous and the agency's interpretation is obvious.
• C. Chevron always applies regardless of ambiguity.
• D. Chevron never applies if there is a constitutional issue.

Answer: (A)

Chevron deference kicks in only when the statute at issue is ambiguous and the agency’s interpretation of that statute is a reasonable one. The court first asks whether the statutory language is clear about the matter; if it is clear, the court uses that meaning and does not defer to the agency. If the statute is found to be ambiguous, the court then considers whether the agency’s interpretation is a reasonable construction of the statute. If it is reasonable, the agency’s interpretation controls. That explains why the best choice is that the deference applies only when there is ambiguity and the agency’s reading is reasonable. If the statute is unambiguous, deference does not apply because the court must give effect to the clear statutory meaning. Chevron is not universal or unconditional and does not govern purely constitutional questions; those are resolved on different grounds rather than through agency deference.

Chevron deference kicks in only when the statute at issue is ambiguous and the agency’s interpretation of that statute is a reasonable one. The court first asks whether the statutory language is clear about the matter; if it is clear, the court uses that meaning and does not defer to the agency. If the statute is found to be ambiguous, the court then considers whether the agency’s interpretation is a reasonable construction of the statute. If it is reasonable, the agency’s interpretation controls.

That explains why the best choice is that the deference applies only when there is ambiguity and the agency’s reading is reasonable. If the statute is unambiguous, deference does not apply because the court must give effect to the clear statutory meaning. Chevron is not universal or unconditional and does not govern purely constitutional questions; those are resolved on different grounds rather than through agency deference.