Which government body was responsible for overseeing interstate commerce before its abolition in 1995?

The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was the government body responsible for overseeing interstate commerce from its establishment in 1887 until it was abolished in 1995. The ICC was created to regulate the railroad industry and later expanded its authority to include trucking and other modes of transportation. Its main role was to ensure fair rates, eliminate rate discrimination, and oversee various practices in the transportation sector to protect both the industry and consumers.

The ICC played a crucial role in the development of transportation regulations, setting a precedent for subsequent transportation authorities. Its responsibilities included the regulation of interstate carriers, assessing the impacts of companies merging or consolidating, and maintaining safe operating conditions. The ICC’s history and actions deeply influenced transportation policy and the structure of regulatory bodies that followed.

The other options represent agencies or departments that either succeeded the ICC or focus on specific aspects of transportation. For example, the Surface Transportation Board was established after the ICC's abolition to continue some of the ICC's regulatory functions, particularly concerning railroads and certain economic aspects of other transport modes. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversight is focused specifically on the safety of commercial motor vehicles, while the Department of Transportation encompasses all transportation modes but does not directly regulate interstate commerce in the same way the ICC