{"argument_date":"2019-01-14T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2019-01-14T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2018","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","paragraphs":["Franklin Taylor Rouse argued Congress created the TVA as a corporation that can sue and be sued.","He cited the TVA Act, which states the corporation may sue and be sued in its corporate name.","Ms. O'Connell Adams argued the Court recognized in Burr that such clauses need not waive immunity for everything.","She noted Burr described categories of claims that might not be allowed despite a broad waiver."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 31-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 11-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 49-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 25-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 47-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 39-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 45-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 55-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 55-27"}]}],"caption":"Thacker v. TVA","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:20.269056Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case argue the clause waives immunity for all TVA actions. The agency argues it covers only specific activities.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 25-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-45"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2019-01-14T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2018","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/17-1201.html","primary_docket":"17-1201","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T18:00:49.838489Z","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 the scope of a sovereign immunity waiver. The Tennessee Valley Authority Act allows the agency to sue and be sued. the sides that brought the case claim this waives immunity for all agency conduct. The agency claims the waiver covers only specific activities. The Court must define the boundary of this waiver."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 25-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-45"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 14, 2019."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the Court to hold the waiver covers all agency actions.","The agency wants the Court to limit the waiver to specific activities."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 25-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-45"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue the statutory language creates a broad waiver of immunity.","The agency argues the waiver excludes core government activities."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 25-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-45"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Alito asked whether the Court applies the waiver case-by-case or categorically.","Justice Sotomayor asked if the agency denies immunity for core government activities like building dams."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 31-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 11-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 49-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 47-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 39-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 45-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 55-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 55-27"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute defines the scope of sovereign immunity waivers. It determines when citizens can sue federal agencies. It clarifies the legal boundary between public and private agency functions."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 25-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-45"}]},{"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 31-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 31-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 11-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 49-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 47-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 39-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 45-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 55-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 55-27"}]}],"slug":"2018-17-1201-thacker-v-tva","term":"2018","title":"Does a sue-and-be-sued clause waive sovereign immunity for all agency actions?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 25-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 25-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1201_3ebh.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-45"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}