October Term 2019 · Docket 18-1334
Who selects the Puerto Rico debt oversight board?
Creditors challenge the board's appointment method. The board defends its territorial status.
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
Verrilli argued the board members are territorial officers. He said the Appointments Clause does not apply.
Olson argued the board acts as a federal entity. He cited Madison's Federalist Paper 48.
Wall argued Congress used its territorial power. He said the board only budgets for Puerto Rico.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 53-1 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 53-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 15-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 7-35 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 7-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 11-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 53-15 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 53-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 7-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 7-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 9-33 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 9-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 53-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 53-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 92, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 92, lines 27-19
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests the Appointments Clause. It asks if the board members are federal or territorial officers.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 7-35 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 7-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 92, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 92, lines 27-19
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 15, 2019.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 11-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 41-51
What each side wants
Creditors want the board members removed. They argue the Appointments Clause applies.
The board wants to keep its members. It argues it is a territorial entity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 7-35 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 7-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 92, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 92, lines 27-19
What each side says
Creditors claim the board exercises federal power. They cite Madison's warnings on separation of powers.
The board claims Congress used territorial authority. It argues the board only affects Puerto Rico.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 7-35 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 7-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 92, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 92, lines 27-19
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked if Congress could pass similar laws for states.
Justice Sotomayor questioned who controls the board if it is independent.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 53-1 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 53-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 15-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 53-15 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 53-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 7-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 7-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 9-33 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 9-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 53-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 53-33
Why it matters
The outcome defines federal control over territories. It shapes how Congress creates oversight bodies. It impacts debt restructuring processes nationwide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 7-35 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 7-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 92, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 92, lines 27-19
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 17-21 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 53-1 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 53-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 15-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 11-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 53-15 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 53-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 7-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 7-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 9-33 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 9-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 53-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 53-33
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 17-19 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 7-35 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 7-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 92, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 92, lines 27-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 7-35 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 7-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 92, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 92, lines 27-19
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.