October Term 2022 · Docket 21-1239
Can district courts block SEC actions based on constitutional removal claims?
Michelle Cochran argues the SEC Act does not strip district courts of jurisdiction to enjoin unconstitutional agency structures. The SEC argues only courts of appeals may review these final orders.
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. Garre argued the SEC Act does not strip district courts of jurisdiction to enjoin unconstitutional agency structures.
Mr. Stewart argued the Exchange Act and APA limit review of final orders to courts of appeals.
Justice Kagan noted a tension in the argument regarding the special nature of structural constitutional claims.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 29-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 29-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 17-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 45-51 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 45-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 9-33 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 9-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 45-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-43 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-43
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests whether district courts retain jurisdiction to enjoin structural constitutional violations. The dispute centers on the SEC Act's review provisions and the APA. The Court must decide if these statutes bar district courts from acting on removal claims.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-43 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-43
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 7, 2022.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-21
What each side wants
Cochran wants the Court to affirm district court jurisdiction to enjoin unconstitutional agency structures.
The SEC wants the Court to hold that only courts of appeals may review these final orders.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-43 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-43
What each side says
Cochran argues the SEC Act does not strip district courts of historical jurisdiction to adjudicate structural constitutional violations.
The SEC argues the Exchange Act and APA limit review of final orders to courts of appeals.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-43 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-43
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked if meaningful differences exist between this case and previous arguments.
Justice Thomas asked how often orders are entered and subject to review in these cases.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 29-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 29-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 17-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 45-51 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 45-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 9-33 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 9-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 45-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-43
Why it matters
This dispute determines whether district courts can immediately block agency actions based on constitutional removal claims. The outcome shapes the balance of power between independent agencies and the judiciary. It affects the speed and scope of judicial review for structural constitutional challenges.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-43 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-43
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 29-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 29-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 17-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 45-51 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 45-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 9-33 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 9-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 45-11 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 45-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-43
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 38, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-43 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 11-43 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 11-43
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.