Heart of Atlanta Motel Inc. V. United States

379 U.S. 241 (1964), the issue was whether the owner of the motel could discriminate against black customers wanting a room at the Heart of Atlanta Hotel.  The Fourteenth Amendment prohibited discrimination by the states but it did not say anything about discrimination by private businesses.  But the Commerce Clause states that Congress shall have power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes.  Since 75% of the Heart of Atlanta Motel’s clientele came from out-of-state, and that it was strategically located near Interstates 75 and 85, the Court found that the business clearly affected interstate commerce.  With this affect on interstate commerce congress was able to rule in favor of the United States.