The Overturn of the Chevron Doctrine: An Empirical Review of 2025 and the Activity of the IRS
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Accounting
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Leigh Johnson
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Established in 1984, the Chevron Doctrine exerted a profound influence on administrative law by directing courts to defer to federal agencies’ reasonable interpretations of ambiguous statutory provisions. This framework significantly expanded agency authority, reflecting the assumption that Congress could not be expected to possess technical expertise across the full range of complex policy areas it regulates. In June 2024, the Supreme Court overturned the Chevron Doctrine in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, fundamentally reshaping the balance of interpretive authority by returning responsibility for resolving statutory ambiguities to the courts. This shift raises substantial questions about the future role of administrative agencies in regulatory interpretation. This thesis provides a brief overview of the Chevron Doctrine, the reasoning and implications of Loper Bright, and the case’s immediate and emerging effects on agency action and judicial review. This thesis also takes an empirical look at how lower federal courts applied Loper Bright in 2025, and specifically examines the trends that have surfaced based on these actions. This thesis also examines federal court rulings involving administrative interpretations taken by the Internal Revenue Service determine how Loper Bright may impact business-related regulations. With this information it examines how Loper Bright may continue to affect administrative law.
Spring Scholars Week 2026
Honors College Senior Thesis Presentations
The Overturn of the Chevron Doctrine: An Empirical Review of 2025 and the Activity of the IRS
Established in 1984, the Chevron Doctrine exerted a profound influence on administrative law by directing courts to defer to federal agencies’ reasonable interpretations of ambiguous statutory provisions. This framework significantly expanded agency authority, reflecting the assumption that Congress could not be expected to possess technical expertise across the full range of complex policy areas it regulates. In June 2024, the Supreme Court overturned the Chevron Doctrine in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, fundamentally reshaping the balance of interpretive authority by returning responsibility for resolving statutory ambiguities to the courts. This shift raises substantial questions about the future role of administrative agencies in regulatory interpretation. This thesis provides a brief overview of the Chevron Doctrine, the reasoning and implications of Loper Bright, and the case’s immediate and emerging effects on agency action and judicial review. This thesis also takes an empirical look at how lower federal courts applied Loper Bright in 2025, and specifically examines the trends that have surfaced based on these actions. This thesis also examines federal court rulings involving administrative interpretations taken by the Internal Revenue Service determine how Loper Bright may impact business-related regulations. With this information it examines how Loper Bright may continue to affect administrative law.