How did the Wickard v. Filburn case expand Congress's authority?

The case of Wickard v. Filburn significantly expanded Congress's authority by establishing that it could regulate not just interstate commerce but also local activities that, when aggregated, have a substantial effect on interstate commerce. In this landmark decision, the Supreme Court ruled that a farmer's decisions about how much wheat to grow for personal use could impact the national market for wheat. Since the farmer's actions could collectively influence interstate commerce when considered alongside others' similar choices, the federal government had the right to exercise regulatory power over local economic activities. This interpretation allowed Congress to broaden its regulatory reach into areas that were previously considered to fall outside federal jurisdiction, underscoring the interconnectedness of local and interstate commerce. The case set a precedent that local activities could be subject to federal oversight if they had significant implications on the national economy.