From the accepted doctrine that the united states is a government of delegated powers, it follows that those not expressly granted, or reasonably to be implied from such as are conferred, are reserved to the states, or to the people. … none to regulate agricultural production is given, and therefore legislation by congress for that purpose is forbidden."—justice roberts, from the majority opinion in united states v. butler, 1936 how did conservatives in congress and the supreme court react to new deal policies? the supreme court upheld the new deal programs that congressional conservatives introduced and supported. congressional conservatives pushed for constitutional amendments that would prevent the court from blocking new deal programs. congressional conservatives and the supreme court both worked to limit the scope of new deal programs. congressional conservatives supported an increase the number of justices to stop new deal programs from being declared unconstitutional.