{"argument_date":"2020-10-06T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2020-10-06T00:00:00Z","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/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Kneedler argued RFRA does not create personal damages liability.","Mr. Kassem argued RFRA requires damages for specific religious harms.","questions_detail"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 26-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 26-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 32-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 32-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 28-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 28-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 20-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 20-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 20-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 20-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 32-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 32-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 48-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 48-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 34-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 34-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 22-52","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 22-52"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 20-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 20-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 10-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 12-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 12-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 32-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 32-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 34-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 34-44"}]}],"caption":"Tanzin v. Tanvir","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:19.031324Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case seek to block personal liability claims. the opposing sides demand monetary compensation for religious harm.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 20-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 20-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-10"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2020-10-06T00:00:00Z","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/19-71.html","primary_docket":"19-71","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T17:27:43.247238Z","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 whether RFRA allows private damages suits against federal workers."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 20-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 20-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-10"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 6, 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/2020/19-71_e2q3.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 bar personal damages claims against federal employees.","the opposing sides want the Court to allow personal damages claims against federal employees."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 20-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 20-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-10"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue RFRA only authorizes relief against the government itself.","the opposing sides argue RFRA requires a remedy for consummated religious injuries."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 20-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 20-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-10"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kagan asked if Congress originally intended RFRA to apply to states.","Justice Sotomayor asked if injunctive relief against contractors binds the government."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 26-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 26-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 32-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 32-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 28-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 28-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 20-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 20-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 20-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 20-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 32-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 32-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 48-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 48-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 34-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 34-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 22-52","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 22-52"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 12-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 12-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 32-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 32-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 34-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 34-44"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute determines whether federal workers face personal financial liability for religious violations."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 20-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 20-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-10"}]},{"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 26-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 26-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 32-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 32-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 28-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 28-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 20-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 20-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 20-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 20-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 32-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 32-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 48-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 48-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 34-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 34-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 22-52","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 22-52"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 10-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 12-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 12-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 32-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 32-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 34-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 34-44"}]}],"slug":"2020-19-71-tanzin-v-tanvir","term":"2020","title":"Can individuals sue federal employees for personal damages under RFRA?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 20-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 20-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2020/19-71_e2q3.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-10"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}