Stay ConnectedThe C. Boyden Gray Center for the Administrative State, at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School, supports research and debate on the modern administrative state, and the constitutional issues surrounding it. In this podcast, we’ll discuss some of the questions being debated around modern administration — some new questions, some timeless ones. And you can also get the audio from Gray Center events.
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Copyright: © The C. Boyden Gray Center for the Administrative State
Jace Lington and Bennett Nuss chat with Caroline Cecot about how recent changes in the EPA's analytical methods affect transparency and environmental protection. She discusses the evolution of cost-benefit analysis from a deregulatory tool to a framework for safeguarding health and the environment, and how recent administrative moves might revert it to "arbitrary and capricious" territory. The conversation delves into critical questions about regulatory decision-making, the role of Congress, and the impact of transparency on public trust.
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Jace Lington and Bennett Nuss chat with Adam White about the recent Supreme Court case, exploring the nuances of statutory interpretation, the major questions doctrine, and the implications for executive and legislative powers. The Gray Center team analyzes the court's opinions, historical context, and future legal debates.
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Jace Lington and Bennett Nuss chat with Patrick A. McLaughlin about The Nondelegation Project at the Pacific Legal Foundation, which analyzes compliance with the nondelegation doctrine using AI and machine learning. He highlights the significant number of regulatory restrictions in the CFR, the role of vague statutes, and the importance of judicial doctrines like the intelligible principle test. The discussion also touches on the project's implications for legislative reform, state-level applications, and the challenges of data collection.
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Jace Lington chats with Reeve Bull about his experiences running Virginia’s Office of Regulatory Management. Bull discusses Virginia's recent regulatory reform efforts, highlighting the successful streamlining of regulations and the significant savings achieved. He emphasizes the importance of transparency in the permitting process and the need to balance regulation with economic growth. Bull addresses criticisms of deregulation, particularly concerning health and safety, and explains how Virginia's approach has focused on maintaining essential protections while reducing unnecessary burdens. The conversation also explores the integration of AI in regulatory processes and the importance of considering the impacts on local governments and small businesses.
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Jace Lington and Bennett Nuss chat with Hillsdale College Professor Ronald J. Pestritto about his recent article tracing the rise of the administrative state and the revolution it wrought in the federal government. Pestritto explores the evolution of the administrative state, tracing its roots back to the Progressive Era and the shift from a government based on consent to one grounded in expertise. He argues that this transformation has led to a significant disconnect between elected officials and the bureaucratic agencies that wield substantial power without direct accountability to the electorate. The conversation delves into the implications of this shift, particularly in the context of the Trump administration's attempts to rein in the administrative state and the ongoing debates surrounding judicial oversight and legislative responsibility.
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Jace Lington and Bennett Nuss chat with Notre Dame Law Professor Jeffery Pojanowski about his forthcoming paper, “Faces of Formalism.” The paper explores the complexities of formalism in legal interpretation, discussing its two faces: authority and method. They delve into concrete examples, such as Gorsuch's application of textualism in the Bostock case, and examine the tensions that arise between these two aspects. Pojanowski offers some ideas about how to look for authoritative answers while respecting rules meant to limit judicial discretion.
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Adam White, Jace Lington, and Bennett Nuss reflect on the significant regulatory developments of 2025, focusing on under-reported stories in the administrative state. They discuss the future of the Federal Reserve, the evolving relationships between public and private entities, the impact of repealing disparate impact laws, and the diminishing role of Congress.
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Jace Lington and Bennett Nuss discuss the implications of the Loper Bright decision on administrative law with guest Eli Nachmany. Eli’s forthcoming paper, “Deference Undisturbed,” examines the effects of theLoper Bright decision on prior cases decided under the Chevron framework. They discuss the open legal questions that remain after the end of Chevron, the role of Congress in shaping administrative law, and the future of various deference doctrines.
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Jace Lington chats with Vulcan Technologies CEO Tanner Jones about how his company uses AI to help agencies, lawmakers, and businesses navigate the complex world of administrative law. They discuss whether AI systems will replace the industry and government consultants who usually guide people through the layers of law, regulation, and court precedent that affect our world.
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Bennett Nuss chats with New Civil Liberties Alliance Senior Litigation Counsel John Vecchione about the tariff case pending before the Supreme Court, Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump. They discuss the main arguments about the extent of the president’s power over tariff policy and what the court might decide.
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