October Term 2000 · Docket 99-1240
Can states sue private employers for ADA damages?
the sides that brought the case argue the ADA exceeds federal power. the opposing sides claim it validly enforces the Fourteenth Amendment.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Jeffrey Sutton argued Congress used commerce and Fourteenth Amendment powers to pass the ADA.
Sutton claimed government lawyers lose when they offer irrational explanations for laws.
Gottesman argued the ADA rests securely on the Commerce Clause.
Gottesman stated no state would challenge the Commerce Clause basis of the ADA.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 43-27 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 43-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 11-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 21-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 41-43
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of federal disability rights laws against state sovereign immunity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 43-27 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 43-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 11-31
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 11, 2000.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 41-43
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to dismiss the damages claim against the state.
the opposing sides want the Court to uphold the damages claim against the state.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 43-27 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 43-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 11-31
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the ADA lacks valid constitutional authority to waive state immunity.
the opposing sides argue the ADA validly enforces the Fourteenth Amendment against states.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 43-27 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 43-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 11-31
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if equal protection applies when a state official has a bad reason.
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if a state official might have a good reason for an action.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 21-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 41-43
Why it matters
The outcome defines whether states can be sued for disability discrimination damages. It shapes the balance between federal civil rights enforcement and state sovereignty. It determines the financial liability of state employers for ADA violations.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 43-27 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 43-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 11-31
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 21-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 41-43
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 43-27 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 43-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 11-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 43-27 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 43-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 11-31
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.