Limiting Federal Agency Preemption: Recommendations for a New Federalism Executive Order

Authors

William Funk, Lewis & Clark Law SchoolFollow
Thomas McGarity, University of Texas, AustinFollow
Nina A. Mendelson, University of MichiganFollow
Sidney Shapiro, Wake Forest University School of LawFollow
David Vladeck, Georgetown University Law CenterFollow
Matthew Shudtz, Center for Progressive ReformFollow
James Goodwin, Center for Progressive Reform

Document Type

White Paper

Publication Date

2008

Abstract

The structure of the U.S. Constitution reflects a profound respect for the principles of federalism and state sovereignty. These principles require the federal government to recognize and encourage opportunities for state and local governments to exercise their authority, especially in areas of traditional state concern such as the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens. However, over the last six years there has been a coordinated Executive Branch effortto use the regulatory process to shield certain product manufacturers from state tort liability. The Food and Drug Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and Consumer Product Safety Commission, among others, have attempted to use the doctrine of preemption to block consumers’ access to state courts. During the Bush Administration, executive agencies have included assertions of preemption in regulatory preambles, filed amicus briefs in litigation in which other litigants have argued that federal statutes preempt state law, and submitted to Congress draft legislation that would preempt state and local authority to protect public health, safety, and the environment.

The Obama administration should replace Executive Order 13132, which instructs administrative agencies to consider the federalism implications of their actions, with an Executive Order that is more protective of the legitimate interests of state governments in maintaining their traditional role in protecting the health, safety and welfare of their citizens. While the current order has some desirable features, it is inadequate to prompt the type of deliberations in which agencies should engage when they are considering whether to support the preemption of state law.

Creative Commons License

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Recommended Citation

Mendelson, Nina A. Limiting Federal Agency Preemption: Recommendations for a New Federalism Executive Order. W.Funk et al., co-authors. Washington, D.C.: Center for Progressive Reform, 2008. (white paper)