October Term 2024 · Docket 24-20
Does the PSJVTA violate due process by forcing foreign entities to pay terrorism judgments?
the sides that brought the case argue the statute violates due process. the opposing sides claim it serves national security goals.
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. Yalowitz argued the U.S. can respond to terror abroad. He noted criminal prosecution would not violate due process.
Mr. Berger argued the PSJVTA fails the due process test. He cited the Bauxites standard for legal submission.
Mr. Kneedler argued the statute is integral to national security. He stated it secures compensation for terrorism victims.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 23-1
- 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 25-41 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-53 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 49-53
- 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 25-29 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-11 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 19-49 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 19-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 23-29
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests whether Congress can force foreign entities to pay terrorism judgments. The PSJVTA targets the PLO and PA. the sides that brought the case say this violates due process. the opposing sides say it protects U.S. citizens.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 29-41
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 1, 2025.
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 74, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 31-37
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to strike down the PSJVTA. They argue it violates due process rights.
the opposing sides want the Court to uphold the PSJVTA. They argue it serves vital national security interests.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 29-41
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the statute fails the due process test. They cite the Bauxites standard for constructive consent.
the opposing sides argue the statute is integral to foreign policy. They note the government could prosecute these acts criminally.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 29-41
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked if the Fifth Amendment protects U.S. citizens here. She questioned why foreigner status matters.
Justice Barrett asked if minimum contacts analysis applies without a statute. She questioned the role of federalism in this context.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-53 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 49-53
- 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 25-29 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-11 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 19-49 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 19-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 23-29
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of congressional power over foreign entities. It determines whether victims can recover damages from state actors. The outcome shapes future terrorism litigation and foreign policy tools.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 29-41
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 11-11 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-53 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 49-53
- 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 25-29 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-11 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 19-49 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 19-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 23-29
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 23-1 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 23-1 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 23-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 29-41
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.