{"argument_date":"2008-10-08T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2008-10-08T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2008","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Kneedler argued the lower court's nationwide ban violated Article III standing principles.","Mr. Kenna argued a facial challenge is valid if the rule applies to plaintiffs.","Justice Souter questioned the standard for showing a specific threatened injury.","Justice Breyer asked if Congress can authorize general challenges to agency rules."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 13-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 35-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 35-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 37-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 15-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 19-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 19-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 25-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 45-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 45-5"}]}],"caption":"Summers v. Earth Island Institute","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:27.037777Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case argue a single local injury cannot support a nationwide ban on a federal rule.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 35-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 35-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 37-37"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2008-10-08T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2008","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/07-463.html","primary_docket":"07-463","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T21:30:48.280652Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests the limits of federal court power. the sides that brought the case seek to limit judicial reach. the opposing sides seek to preserve broad review rights."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 35-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 35-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 37-37"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 8, 2008."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the court to limit the ban to the specific local injury.","the opposing sides want the court to allow a nationwide ban based on the rule's existence."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 35-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 35-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 37-37"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue Article III standing requires a specific, concrete injury to support relief.","the opposing sides argue a general rule challenge is valid if the rule applies to them."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 35-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 35-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 37-37"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Souter asked if a specific threatened injury is required in this context.","Justice Breyer asked if Congress can authorize general challenges to rules."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 13-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 15-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 19-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 19-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 25-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 45-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 45-5"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute defines the scope of federal judicial power. It determines how broadly courts can block government rules. It affects the balance between local harm and national policy."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 35-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 35-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 37-37"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 13-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 15-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 19-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 19-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 25-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 45-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 45-5"}]}],"slug":"2008-07-463-summers-v-earth-island-institute","term":"2008","title":"Can a federal court block a nationwide rule based on one local injury?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 35-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 35-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-463.pdf","page_label":"file page 41, lines 37-37"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}