October Term 2003 · Docket 02-1667
Does the ADA allow federal courts to hear state disability claims?
Tennessee argues the ADA exceeds federal power. Lane argues 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
Michael Moore argued Title II targets states as public service providers.
Kannon Brown argued Title II fits within Fourteenth Amendment enforcement powers.
chief_justice_rehnquist_closed_the_oral_argument_and_submitted_the_case.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 17-13 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 17-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 1-3 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 1-3
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests the scope of federal disability law against state sovereignty.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 17-13 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 17-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 49-7
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 13, 2004.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 1-3 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 1-3
What each side wants
Tennessee wants the federal claim dismissed to protect state sovereignty.
Lane wants the federal claim upheld to secure access to public services.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 17-13 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 17-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 49-7
What each side says
Tennessee argues Title II regulates states as service providers, not employers.
Lane argues Title II validly enforces Fourteenth Amendment rights.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 17-13 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 17-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 49-7
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked how Title II differs from prior state immunity cases.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 1-3 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 1-3
Why it matters
The outcome defines federal power to regulate state public services for disabled citizens.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 17-13 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 17-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 49-7
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 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 1-3 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 1-3
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 23, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 17-13 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 17-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 17-13 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 17-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 49-7
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.