{"argument_date":"2012-02-27T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2012-02-27T00:00:00Z","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/2011/11-45.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Schwartz argued the Act does not clearly revoke district court jurisdiction for constitutional claims.","Mr. Feigin addressed why the scope of MSPB authority should not determine district court access.","justice_questions"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 52-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 52-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 14-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 14-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 32-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 32-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 44-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 44-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 4-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 4-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 34-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 14-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 14-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 30-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 30-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 4-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 4-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 44-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 44-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 46-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 48-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 48-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 14-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 28-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 28-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 6-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 6-14"}]}],"caption":"Elgin v. Department of Treasury","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.674272Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.683735Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case seek district court access for constitutional claims. The government argues the Civil Service Reform Act bars this path.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 52-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 52-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 34-8"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2012-02-27T00:00:00Z","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/11-45.html","primary_docket":"11-45","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T23:10:23.928729Z","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 scope of the Civil Service Reform Act. the sides that brought the case argue the Act does not strip district courts of jurisdiction over constitutional claims. The government contends the Act removes that power. The Court must decide if the statutory text clearly revokes this authority."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 52-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 52-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 34-8"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 27, 2012."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 14-16"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the Court to affirm district court jurisdiction for their constitutional claims.","The government wants the Court to uphold the dismissal of those claims."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 52-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 52-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 34-8"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue the Civil Service Reform Act does not clearly revoke district court jurisdiction for constitutional claims.","The government argues the Act strips district courts of jurisdiction over these specific employee claims."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 52-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 52-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 34-8"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kagan asked if the proposed scheme forces employees to choose between constitutional and statutory claims.","Justice Scalia asked if plaintiffs in similar cases also pursued nonconstitutional claims in the Federal Circuit."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 14-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 14-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 32-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 32-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 44-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 44-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 4-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 4-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 14-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 14-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 30-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 30-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 4-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 4-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 44-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 44-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 46-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 48-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 48-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 14-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 28-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 28-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 6-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 6-14"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute determines whether federal employees can access district courts for constitutional grievances. It defines the boundary between statutory and constitutional remedies for public servants. The outcome shapes the procedural path for challenging government actions."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 52-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 52-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 34-8"}]},{"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 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 14-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 14-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 32-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 32-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 44-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 44-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 4-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 4-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 14-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 14-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 30-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 30-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 4-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 4-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 44-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 44-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 46-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 46-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 48-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 48-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 14-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 28-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 28-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 6-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 6-14"}]}],"slug":"2011-11-45-elgin-v-department-of-treasury","term":"2011","title":"Can federal employees sue in district court for constitutional violations?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 52-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 52-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/11-45.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 34-8"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}