{"argument_date":"2011-11-09T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2011-11-09T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2011","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Wells argued federal rules govern all slaughterhouse operations and sales.","Ms. Smith argued state laws must target specific premises to be preempted.","Mr. Horwich noted no one disputes states cannot control animal handling at gates."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 19-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 11-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 27-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 49-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 49-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 15-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 47-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 5-11"}]}],"caption":"National Meat Assn. v. Harris","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:35.658163Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether federal meat safety laws prevent states from banning the slaughter of horses.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 19-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 11-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2011-11-09T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2011","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/10-224.html","primary_docket":"10-224","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T23:39:55.099866Z","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 reach of federal preemption over state animal welfare laws."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 19-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 11-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 9, 2011."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The industry wants the federal law to block state bans on horse slaughter.","The state wants to keep its ban on horse slaughter in effect."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 19-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 11-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The industry argues federal rules cover all slaughterhouse operations and sales.","The state argues federal law only covers specific premises and facilities."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 19-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 11-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked if federal law bans selling cats or dogs for slaughter.","Justice Scalia asked if states can ban buying nonambulatory animals off-site."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 27-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 49-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 49-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 15-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 47-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 5-11"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the boundary between federal meat safety and state animal welfare laws."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 19-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 11-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"}]},{"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 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 27-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 49-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 49-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 15-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 47-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 5-11"}]}],"slug":"2011-10-224-national-meat-assn-v-harris","term":"2011","title":"Does federal law block state bans on horse slaughter?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 19-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 11-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 11-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-224.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}