October Term 2023 · Docket 141 ORIG.
Can the United States veto a Rio Grande water settlement between Texas and New Mexico?
Texas and New Mexico seek a water settlement. The United States opposes the decree. The Court must decide if federal consent is required.
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. Liu argued the decree binds the United States without consent.
Mr. Wechsler argued the United States lacks a veto over state settlements.
Ms. Pettit stated the Compact divides water 57 percent to New Mexico.
Ms. Pettit noted Texas and New Mexico agreed on water shares.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 41-37 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 41-37
- 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 23-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 49-45 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 49-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 15-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 37-13 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 37-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-19 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 45-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 27-31
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case involves the Rio Grande Compact. Texas and New Mexico want to settle their water dispute. The United States argues the settlement binds it without consent. The Court must resolve this conflict.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 41-37 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 41-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 49-45 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 49-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 37-13 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 37-13
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 20, 2024.
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 51-53 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 51-53
What each side wants
Texas and New Mexico want the Court to approve their water settlement.
The United States wants the Court to reject the proposed consent decree.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 41-37 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 41-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 49-45 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 49-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 37-13 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 37-13
What each side says
Texas and New Mexico argue the United States lacks a veto over state settlements.
The United States argues the decree imposes obligations without its consent.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 41-37 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 41-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 49-45 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 49-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 37-13 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 37-13
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked why the United States remains if its interest matches Texas.
Justice Gorsuch asked how the United States aligns with Texas while opposing the decree.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 15-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-19 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 45-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 27-31
Why it matters
This dispute determines how federal agencies manage interstate water compacts. It defines the scope of federal intervention in state water rights. The outcome shapes future negotiations between states and the federal government.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 41-37 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 41-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 49-45 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 49-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 37-13 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 37-13
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 31-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 49-9
- 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 21-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 15-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-19 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 45-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 27-31
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 39, lines 41-37 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 41-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 49-45 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 49-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 37-13 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 37-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 41-37 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 41-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 49-45 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 49-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 37-13 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 37-13
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.