Opinion ID: 6968400
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: General Principles of Preemption.

Text: Under its constitutional authority, the federal government is empowered to preempt state or local laws to the extent it believes such action to be necessary. See DeHart v. Town of Austin, Ind., 39 F.3d 718, 721 (7th Cir.1994). This federal action is authorized by the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, which states that “the Laws of the United States ... shall be the supreme Law of the Land; ... any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.” U.S. Const. Art. VI, cl. 2. The phrase “Laws of the United States” of Article VI, Clause 2 includes both federal statutes and federal regulations properly adopted in accordance with statutory authorization. See, e.g., DeHart, 39 F.3d at 721. A preemption analysis commences with a determination of the Congressional intent in enacting the legislation. Id. at 722. Courts look to the very language used by Congress and assume that the ordinary meaning of the language accurately reflects the legislative purpose. Id. Where Congress’ command is explicitly stated in the i statute’s language or implicitly contained in its structure and purpose, preemption is compelled. See, e.g., Time Warner Cable v. Doyle, 66 F.3d 867, 875 (7th Cir.1995). However, courts do not lightly attribute to Congress or to a federal agency the intent to preempt state or local laws. See DeHart, 39 F.3d at 722. In fact, in fields traditionally occupied by the states, courts start with the presumption that the historic police powers of the states were not to be superseded by federal law unless Congress has enacted legislation enunciating that preemption was the “clear and manifest” purpose of Congress. Rice v. Santa Fe Elevator Corp., 331 U.S. 218, 230, 67 S.Ct. 1146, 1152, 91 L.Ed. 1447 (1947). Traditional areas occupied by the state include the authority to provide for the public health, safety, and morals. See De-Hart, 39 F.3d at 722.