October Term 2013 · Docket 13-354
Do religious employers face a compelling interest test for contraceptive coverage?
Hobby Lobby argues the government must show a compelling interest. The government argues the law is neutral and generally applicable.
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
General Verrilli argued that religious freedom limits apply when activities affect others.
Mr. Clement argued the agency knew religious claims would follow the mandate.
justice_questions
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 10-24 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 10-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 50-8 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 50-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 32-8 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 32-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 28-4 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 28-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 32-48 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 32-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-40 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 24-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 42-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 42-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-22 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 8-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 18-38 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 18-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-36 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 16-18 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 16-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 22-26 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 22-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 4-14 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 4-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 52-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 42-48 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 42-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 40-10 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 40-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 6-10 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 6-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 4-12 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 4-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 52-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 20-22 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 20-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 36-44 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 36-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-32 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 44-16 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 44-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 8-8 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 8-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 10-44 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 10-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 40-6 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 40-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 50-16 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 50-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 46-26 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 46-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 16-36 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 16-36
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The dispute centers on whether a federal mandate violates religious freedom. Hobby Lobby seeks an exemption from providing certain contraceptives. The government seeks to enforce the mandate uniformly.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-40 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 24-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 18-38 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 18-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 4-14 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 4-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 16-36 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 16-36
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 25, 2014.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-22 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 8-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 40-6 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 40-6
What each side wants
Hobby Lobby wants an exemption from the contraceptive mandate.
The government wants to enforce the mandate on all employers.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-40 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 24-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 18-38 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 18-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 4-14 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 4-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 16-36 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 16-36
What each side says
Hobby Lobby argues the mandate burdens their religious exercise.
The government argues the law is neutral and generally applicable.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-40 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 24-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 18-38 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 18-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 4-14 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 4-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 16-36 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 16-36
What the justices asked
Justice Kagan asked if exemptions would create a piecemeal system.
Justice Kagan asked if the interpretation subjects the entire U.S. Code to strict scrutiny.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 10-24 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 10-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 50-8 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 50-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 32-8 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 32-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 28-4 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 28-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 32-48 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 32-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 42-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 42-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-36 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 16-18 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 16-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 22-26 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 22-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 52-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 42-48 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 42-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 40-10 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 40-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 6-10 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 6-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 4-12 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 4-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 52-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 20-22 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 20-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 36-44 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 36-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-32 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 44-16 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 44-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 8-8 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 8-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 10-44 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 10-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 50-16 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 50-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 46-26 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 46-26
Why it matters
This case defines the scope of religious exemptions in federal law. It determines how courts balance individual rights against public health mandates. The outcome shapes future challenges to government regulations.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-40 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 24-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 18-38 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 18-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 4-14 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 4-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 16-36 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 16-36
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 10, lines 10-24 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 10-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 50-8 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 50-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 32-8 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 32-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 28-4 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 28-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 32-48 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 32-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 42-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 42-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-22 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 8-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-36 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 16-18 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 16-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 22-26 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 22-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 52-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 42-48 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 42-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 40-10 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 40-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 6-10 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 6-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 4-12 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 4-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 52-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 20-22 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 20-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 36-44 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 36-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-32 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 44-16 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 44-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 8-8 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 8-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 10-44 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 10-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 40-6 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 40-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 50-16 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 50-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 46-26 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 46-26
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 4, lines 24-40 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 24-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 18-38 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 18-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 4-14 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 4-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 16-36 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 16-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-40 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 24-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 18-38 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 18-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 4-14 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 4-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 16-36 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 16-36
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.