{"argument_date":"2012-10-02T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2012-10-02T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2012","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor questioned why the Court addressed Tucker Act jurisdiction.","Justice Sotomayor asked if the FLSA has its own remedial scheme.","Justice Sotomayor asked if the Tucker Act would ever apply to a statute.","The government advocate stated Congress must unequivocally express intent to waive immunity."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 9-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 3-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 3-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 29-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 29-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 43-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-43"}]}],"caption":"United States v. Bormes","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:35.114355Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether the FLSA allows workers to sue the government for back pay under the Tucker Act.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 21-25"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2012-10-02T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2012","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/11-192.html","primary_docket":"11-192","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T22:53:52.345922Z","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":["The case tests if the FLSA waives sovereign immunity for Tucker Act claims. The government argues the FLSA has its own remedial scheme. The worker argues the FLSA waives immunity for Tucker Act suits. Courts are split on this interpretation. The outcome affects federal workers' access to courts."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 21-25"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 2, 2012."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The government wants the Court to reject the worker's Tucker Act claim.","The worker wants the Court to allow the Tucker Act claim to proceed."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 21-25"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The government argues the FLSA contains its own specific remedial scheme.","The worker argues the FLSA waives sovereign immunity for Tucker Act claims."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 21-25"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kagan questioned if the argument was truly textual.","Justice Scalia asked if the specific governs the general principle applied here."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 9-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 3-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 3-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 29-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 29-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 43-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-43"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["Federal workers need clear access to courts for back pay claims. The FLSA defines the scope of government liability. This case clarifies the relationship between the FLSA and the Tucker Act. It determines how workers seek compensation from the federal government."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 21-25"}]},{"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 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 9-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 3-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 3-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 29-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 29-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 43-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-43"}]}],"slug":"2012-11-192-united-states-v-bormes","term":"2012","title":"Does the Fair Labor Standards Act waive sovereign immunity for Tucker Act claims?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-192.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 21-25"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}