{"argument_date":"2020-11-09T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2020-11-09T00:00:00Z","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/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Huston argued the judgment bar resolves the case completely.","Mr. Jaicomo argued the bar does not apply to single actions.","chief_justice_roberts_noted the statute speaks of actions, not claims."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 47-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 47-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 49-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 49-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 53-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 53-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 19-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 13-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 23-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 23-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 19-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 19-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 51-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 51-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 39-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 15-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 15-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 47-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 7-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 7-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-13"}]}],"caption":"Brownback v. King","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:18.967556Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:18.973354Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T23:56:30.382336Z","explanation":"An official Court opinion was verified.","status":"decided"}],"case_status":"decided","dek":"the sides that brought the case argue a federal judgment ends all related claims. the opposing sides argue it only ends claims against the government.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 15-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 15-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 47-55"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2020-11-09T00:00:00Z","maturity":"post_opinion","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2020","official_disposition_urls":["https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/592us2r16_1971.pdf"],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/19-546.html","primary_docket":"19-546","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T17:23:38.771105Z","maturity":"post_opinion","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"post_opinion","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests the scope of the Federal Tort Claims Act judgment bar. the sides that brought the case seek a final end to litigation. the opposing sides seek to pursue individual employees."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 15-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 15-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 47-55"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 9, 2020."],"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/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 7-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 7-9"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the judgment bar to end all related claims against employees.","the opposing sides want to sue individual employees after the government judgment."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 15-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 15-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 47-55"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue the statute bars any action against involved employees.","the opposing sides argue the statute only bars claims against the government."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 15-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 15-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 47-55"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Alito asked about the line between non-cognizable and failed claims.","Chief Justice Roberts asked if the statute bars claims or actions against employees."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 47-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 47-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 49-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 49-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 53-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 53-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 19-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 13-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 23-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 23-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 19-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 19-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 51-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 51-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 39-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 7-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 7-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-13"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute defines the finality of federal tort judgments. It determines whether individuals face endless litigation after government judgments. It shapes the balance between employee liability and judicial efficiency."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 15-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 15-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 47-55"}]},{"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 47-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 47-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 49-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 49-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 53-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 53-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 19-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 19-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 13-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 23-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 23-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 19-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 19-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 51-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 51-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 39-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 7-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 7-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 27-13"}]}],"slug":"2020-19-546-brownback-v-king","term":"2020","title":"Does a federal court judgment bar later suits against individual employees?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 15-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 15-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-546_2d9g.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 47-55"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":"latest_argument_date","updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}