Columbia News

Senator Eric Schmitt has used his social media platform to comment on recent changes in U.S. administrative law and to outline legislative proposals aimed at curbing the power of federal agencies.

On August 7, 2025, Schmitt referenced a major Supreme Court decision, stating, "Last year, in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, the Supreme Court overturned Chevron U.S.A. v. Natural Resources Defense Council—the 1984 ruling that gave the administrative state power to interpret the law however it wanted. It was a seismic win for our constitution."

In another post on the same day, Schmitt criticized the doctrine known as "Chevron deference," writing, "For 40 years, 'Chevron deference' let unelected bureaucrats interpret laws however they wanted, leading to overregulation. But Chevron is dead—and it's time for Congress to do its job again. I crafted a 150-page blueprint for clawing power back from the administrative state."

He further detailed his legislative agenda in a third tweet posted on August 7, 2025: "Next: Medium-term projects.

• SOPRA: Codifies de novo judicial review of agency actions

• ERASER Act: Codifies the current Trump EO requiring agencies to repeal multiple rules for each one one issued

• REINS Act: No $100M+ rule goes into effect without vote from Congress"

The Supreme Court's decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo marked a significant shift by overturning Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., which had established that courts should defer to reasonable interpretations of ambiguous statutes by federal agencies—a principle known as Chevron deference. For four decades prior to this ruling, this doctrine played a central role in shaping how regulatory agencies interpreted and enforced federal law.

Senator Schmitt’s reference to medium-term legislative projects points toward ongoing efforts within Congress to reshape administrative oversight following the end of Chevron deference.