October Term 2009 · Docket 08-1457
Can the NLRB issue decisions with only two members?
The dispute centers on whether the NLRB can issue adjudicatory decisions when its membership falls below the statutory quorum of three.
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
Mr. Richie argued the NLRB Act clearly states a quorum of three is required at all times.
Mr. Katyal argued section 153(b) permits delegation of any or all board powers to three or more members.
Justice Scalia questioned whether the side that brought the case's argument relies on the board's inability to act when membership falls below three.
Justice Scalia asked if the board can pay salaries when its quorum disappears.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 39-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 7-49 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 7-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 23-29
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The NLRB Act requires a quorum of three members. the side that brought the case argues this rule is absolute. the opposing side argues the board can delegate full powers to a three-member group.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 39-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-33
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 23, 2010.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 7-49 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 7-49
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the Court to hold that the NLRB cannot issue decisions with only two members.
the opposing side wants the Court to allow the NLRB to issue decisions when its membership falls to two.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 39-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-33
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues the NLRB Act clearly states a quorum of three is required at all times.
the opposing side argues section 153(b) permits delegation of any or all board powers to three or more members.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 39-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-33
What the justices asked
Justice Scalia asked if the side that brought the case's argument relies on the board's inability to act when membership falls below three.
Justice Scalia asked if the board can pay salaries when its quorum disappears.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 7-49 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 7-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 23-29
Why it matters
This case determines whether the NLRB can continue issuing adjudicatory decisions when its membership falls below the statutory quorum of three.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 39-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-33
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 35-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 7-49 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 7-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 23-29
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 26, lines 39-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 39-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 39-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-33
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.