{"argument_date":"2018-01-08T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2018-01-08T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2017","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","paragraphs":["The United States argues the compact creates a statutory duty to distribute water to Texas.","Texas and New Mexico argue the United States cannot raise compact claims in this matter.","Justice Sotomayor asked what specific federal interests the compact protects.","Justice Ginsburg asked how to distinguish when a party can sue under a compact."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 13-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 19-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 35-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 35-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 35-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 35-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 17-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 17-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 15-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 15-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 21-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 21-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 43-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 43-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-45"}]}],"caption":"Texas v. New Mexico","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:21.058737Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:21.088318Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The United States seeks to enforce water delivery duties. Texas and New Mexico dispute this legal authority.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 17-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 17-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 15-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 15-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 21-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 21-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 43-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 43-35"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2018-01-08T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2017","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/141%20ORIG..html","primary_docket":"141 ORIG.","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T18:25:08.385278Z","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 United States argues the Rio Grande Compact creates a statutory duty to deliver water to Texas. Texas and New Mexico argue the federal government lacks standing to raise these claims."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 17-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 17-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 15-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 15-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 21-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 21-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 43-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 43-35"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 8, 2018."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 37-39"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The United States wants the Court to allow it to enforce water delivery duties under the compact.","Texas and New Mexico want the Court to bar the United States from raising compact claims in this case."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 17-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 17-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 15-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 15-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 21-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 21-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 43-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 43-35"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The United States argues the compact creates a statutory duty to distribute water to Texas.","Texas and New Mexico argue the United States cannot raise compact claims in this matter."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 17-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 17-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 15-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 15-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 21-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 21-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 43-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 43-35"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked what specific federal interests the compact protects.","Justice Ginsburg asked how to distinguish when a party can sue under a compact."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 13-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 19-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 35-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 35-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 35-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 35-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 67, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 11-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-45"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the federal government's role in interstate water disputes. It clarifies whether the United States can sue to enforce compact duties. The outcome shapes future water rights litigation between states and the federal government."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 17-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 17-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 15-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 15-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 21-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 21-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 43-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 43-35"}]},{"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 13-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 13-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 19-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 35-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 35-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 35-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 35-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 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47-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-45"}]}],"slug":"2017-141-orig-texas-v-new-mexico","term":"2017","title":"Can the United States sue to enforce water rights under the Rio Grande Compact?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 17-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 17-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 15-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 33, lines 15-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 21-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 21-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 43-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/141-orig_b8dg.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 43-35"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}