Supreme Court agrees to review a Reconstruction-era ban on distilling spirits in private homes

The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to review the constitutionality of a Reconstruction-era federal ban prohibiting the distilling of spirits in private homes. Plaintiffs challenging the restriction argue that Congress lacked the constitutional authority to enact the prohibition when it was established more than 150 years ago, in 1868.

The case brings under judicial scrutiny a long-standing federal restriction on home-based liquor production. The high court's decision to hear the challenge will determine whether the historical legislation falls within Congress's legitimate constitutional powers.