{"argument_date":"2020-11-02T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2020-11-02T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2020","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","paragraphs":["Ms. Harris argued that Section 355(f) requires judicial review of all final Board decisions.","Mr. Raynor argued that statutory text limits review to specific rights and liabilities, excluding reopening denials.","chief_justice_roberts_noted that statutory violations are not automatically constitutional violations.","Justice Alito asked if the Court could decide the case by looking only at Section 231g language."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 14-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 14-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 16-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 16-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 30-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 30-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 36-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 36-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 16-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 16-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 16-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 16-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 10-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 37, lines 10-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 10-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 10-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 10-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 48-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 48-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 8-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 8-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 36-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 36-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 18-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 18-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 44-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 44-54"}]}],"caption":"Salinas v. Railroad Retirement Bd.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:18.880826Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case seek judicial review of a Board denial to reopen benefits. The government argues such denials lack statutory reviewability.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 10-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 37, lines 10-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-8"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2020-11-02T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2020","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/19-199.html","primary_docket":"19-199","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T17:24:49.292072Z","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 dispute centers on whether federal courts can review a Railroad Retirement Board decision refusing to reopen a prior benefits determination. the sides that brought the case argue the statute mandates review of all final Board decisions. The government contends the statute limits review to specific rights and liabilities, excluding procedural reopening denials."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 10-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 37, lines 10-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-8"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 2, 2020."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 10-20"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the Court to allow judicial review of the Board's denial to reopen benefits.","The government wants the Court to bar judicial review of the Board's denial to reopen benefits."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 10-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 37, lines 10-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-8"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue Section 355(f) subjects all final Board decisions to judicial review, including reopening denials.","The government argues the statute limits review to specific rights and liabilities, excluding procedural reopening denials."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 10-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 37, lines 10-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-8"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Breyer asked how the statutory language of rights and liabilities applies to this case.","Justice Thomas asked how the argument applies if the case involved state law issues instead of federal law."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 14-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 14-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 16-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 16-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 30-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 30-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 36-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 36-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 16-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 16-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 16-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 16-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 10-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 10-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 48-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 48-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 8-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 8-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 36-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 36-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 18-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 18-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 44-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 44-54"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case determines whether federal courts can correct errors in Railroad Retirement Board procedures. It defines the scope of judicial oversight over federal benefits agencies. It affects the ability of beneficiaries to challenge agency decisions in court."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 10-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 37, lines 10-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-8"}]},{"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 11, lines 14-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 14-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 16-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 16-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 30-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 30-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 36-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 36-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 16-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 16-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 16-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 16-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 10-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 10-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 10-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 48-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 48-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 8-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 8-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 36-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 36-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 18-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 18-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 44-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 44-54"}]}],"slug":"2020-19-199-salinas-v-railroad-retirement-bd","term":"2020","title":"Can courts review Railroad Retirement Board denials to reopen benefits?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 10-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 37, lines 10-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-199_m6hn.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-8"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}