Also known as: rational relation review · rational-relation scrutiny · rational basis review · rational basis scrutiny
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A standard of judicial review under which a law is upheld if it is rationally related to a legitimate governmental interest. The classification need not be the most precise or effective means of achieving the objective, and courts defer heavily to legislative judgments about the fit between means and ends.
Roger Ramirez, a physically fit 51-year-old officer, challenged a state statute requiring retirement at age 50. The statute survived review because the age limit was rationally related to the legitimate goal of maintaining a physically capable force, even though some older officers remained fit.
Rhea Reynolds, a national from a majority-Muslim country, challenged an executive order barring entry on national-security grounds. The order was upheld because its stated security purpose was legitimate and the restrictions were rationally related to that purpose despite earlier statements suggesting religious animus.
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Ravi Reddy was prosecuted under a federal statute banning firearms near schools. The law failed review because Congress lacked a rational basis to conclude that the possession of guns in school zones substantially affected interstate commerce.
Rosalind Reed sued her attacker under a federal statute creating a civil remedy for gender-motivated violence. The provision failed review because Congress lacked a rational basis to conclude that such violence substantially affected interstate commerce.
Ruby Rivera challenged a school district policy that assigned students to schools based on race to achieve integration. The policy failed review because racial classifications receive strict scrutiny rather than rational-relation review and the plan was not narrowly tailored.
Ralph Richardson, a 70-year-old state judge, challenged a constitutional provision requiring retirement at age 70. The provision survived review because the age classification was rationally related to the legitimate interest in ensuring a vigorous judiciary.
A classification receives rational-relation review when it does not involve a suspect or quasi-suspect class and does not burden a fundamental right. Age, disability, and most economic or social distinctions fall into this category.
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No. A law may be underinclusive or overinclusive and still survive rational-relation review so long as it is rationally related to a legitimate purpose.
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Courts apply at most rational-relation review and accord substantial deference to the political branches. An order stating a legitimate national-security purpose that is rationally related to that purpose will ordinarily be upheld.
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No. When the underlying classification receives only rational-relation review, Congress must identify a pattern of unconstitutional state conduct and enact a congruent and proportional remedy. Otherwise the abrogation exceeds Section 5 power.
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…the ground that "[t]he crafting and safeguarding of public morality . . . indisputably is a legitimate government interest under rational basis scrutiny"); Milner v. Apfel , 148 F. 3d 812, 814 (CA7 1998) (citing Bowers for the proposition that "[l]egislatures are permitted to legislate with regard to morality . . . rather than confined…