Hammer v. Dagenhart

Brief Fact Summary.

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Synopsis of Rule of Law.

The power of Congress to regulate commerce does not include the power to regulate the production of goods intended for commerce

Facts.

Congress passed law prohibiting interstate transportation of products from factories that used child labor. Plaintiff brought suit, arguing that Congress exceeded its constitutional authority.

Issue.

Did Congress act properly within its Commerce Clause powers when it passed the law prohibiting interstate transportation of products from factories that used child labor?

Held.

No.

Discussion.

The federal law at issue does not regulate transportation among the states, but rather aims to standardize the ages at which children may be employed in mining and manufacturing within the states. The shipped goods are harmless in and of themselves. Before transportation begins, the labor of their production is over, and the mere fact that they were intended for interstate commerce transportation does not make their production subject to federal control. The production of articles intended for interstate commerce is a matter of local regulation.