October Term 2022 · Docket 21-806
Does Section 1983 allow suits for federal spending clause rights?
The dispute centers on whether federal law creates a private right to sue for violations of conditions attached to federal funds.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion 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. Robbins argued for the sides that brought the case. He focused on clear state conditions. He cited the Arlington Central School District case. He emphasized the importance of clear federal instructions.
Mr. Snyder argued for the opposing sides. He emphasized the text of Section 1983. He argued the statute provides an express cause of action. He cited half a century of precedent.
Mr. Fisher argued for the sides that brought the case. He highlighted the unpredictability of current law. He argued this frustrates state assessment of programs. He noted the disruption to state resource administration.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 35-39
- 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 23-27 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 13-55 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 13-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 35-55 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 35-55
- 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 41-9 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-37 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 31-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 53-31 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 53-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 96, lines 19-51 — Transcript, file page 96, lines 19-51
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of Section 1983. It asks if this statute covers rights created by federal spending programs. The outcome affects how states manage federal funds and how individuals seek redress.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 13-55 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 13-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-37 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 96, lines 19-51 — Transcript, file page 96, lines 19-51
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 8, 2022.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 31-37
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to limit Section 1983. They seek to prevent suits based on spending clause conditions. They argue this protects state administrative flexibility.
the opposing sides want the Court to expand Section 1983. They seek to allow suits for any federal statutory right. They argue this ensures accountability for federal conditions.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 13-55 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 13-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-37 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 96, lines 19-51 — Transcript, file page 96, lines 19-51
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue Section 1983 does not cover spending clause rights. They claim this interpretation frustrates state program administration. They cite the need for clear state conditions.
the opposing sides argue Section 1983 covers all federal statutory rights. They claim the statute text supports this broad reading. They argue precedent supports this interpretation.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 13-55 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 13-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-37 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 96, lines 19-51 — Transcript, file page 96, lines 19-51
What the justices asked
Justice Kavanaugh asked how to address prior precedent. He noted state remedies do not usually block Section 1983 suits. He asked the advocate to respond to this point.
Justice Kagan asked if any private remedy blocks Section 1983. She noted nursing homes must respect individual rights. She asked about the correlative duty on entities.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 35-39
- 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 23-27 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 35-55 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 35-55
- 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 41-9 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 31-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 53-31 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 53-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 53-53
Why it matters
This case defines the scope of federal civil rights litigation. It determines how states manage federal funding conditions. It shapes the availability of private legal remedies for individuals. The outcome impacts state administrative autonomy and individual accountability.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 13-55 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 13-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-37 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 96, lines 19-51 — Transcript, file page 96, lines 19-51
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 43-9 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 35-39
- 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 23-27 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 35-55 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 35-55
- 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 41-9 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 31-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 53-31 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 53-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 53-53
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 13-55 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 13-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-37 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 96, lines 19-51 — Transcript, file page 96, lines 19-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 13-55 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 13-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-37 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 96, lines 19-51 — Transcript, file page 96, lines 19-51
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.