When is the plain meaning rule applied?

When is the plain meaning rule applied?

• A. If the language is clear, apply its ordinary meaning.
• B. Always look to legislative history before interpreting the text.
• C. Always apply canons regardless of clarity.
• D. Ignore the text if it seems odd.

Answer: (A)

The plain meaning rule applies when the language is clear on its face; courts interpret the words by their ordinary, everyday meaning and give effect to the text as written without resorting to legislative history or other interpretive aids. This is why the answer is the best: it states that when the language is clear, you apply its ordinary meaning. Extrinsic sources like legislative history or canons are used only if the text is ambiguous or would lead to an absurd result. The other approaches—always consulting legislative history, always applying canons regardless of clarity, or ignoring the text because it seems odd—don’t align with the plain meaning rule.

The plain meaning rule applies when the language is clear on its face; courts interpret the words by their ordinary, everyday meaning and give effect to the text as written without resorting to legislative history or other interpretive aids. This is why the answer is the best: it states that when the language is clear, you apply its ordinary meaning. Extrinsic sources like legislative history or canons are used only if the text is ambiguous or would lead to an absurd result. The other approaches—always consulting legislative history, always applying canons regardless of clarity, or ignoring the text because it seems odd—don’t align with the plain meaning rule.