Allied-Bruce Terminix v. Dobson

In Allied-Bruce Terminix Cos. v. Dobson, 513 U.S. 265, 115 S. Ct. 834 (1995), the U.S. Supreme Court decided the scope of § 2 of the Federal Arbitration Act. Justice Breyer wrote for the Court:

That section makes enforceable a written arbitration provision in "a contract evidencing a transaction involving commerce." 9 U.S.C. § 2 (emphasis added). Should we read this phrase broadly, extending the Act's reach to the limits of Congress' Commerce Clause power? Or, do the two italicized words -- "involving" and "evidencing" -- significantly restrict the Act's application? We conclude that the broader [****8] reading of the Act is the correct one, and we reverse a State Supreme Court judgment to the contrary.

513 U.S. at 268.