Con Law Flashcards
Federal courts may hear based on
i. Law-based federal jurisdiction from Constitution, federal laws and treaties, admiralty and maritime laws
ii. Party-based federal jurisdiction where U.S. gov’t is a party, State v. State, State v. other State citizen,
citizens from different states (diversity jurisdiction), foreign diplomats
Individual Standing
Π must show “personal stake.”
1) Π’s actual or imminent injury,
2) causation,
3) redressability
There is no “injury” to taxpayers (unless litigating tax bill or fed taxpayer challenging spending on
1A religious grounds), legislators, Constitution lovers (abstract desire to see gov’t comply)
Organizational Standing
requires that 1) individual members have standing + 2) interest asserted is
related to organization’s purpose + 3) individual member participation in the suit is not required (there is no individualized injury, remedy would be the same to all members, or injunction would solve everyone’s problems) (no damages because each member would have to show damages)
Ripeness
Π must show harm or imminent threat of harm. Proposed law or action not yet taken are not real cases or controversies
Mootness (whether suing too late)
A case is moot if the dispute has been resolved (i.e., there is no redressability), unless “capable of repetition, yet evading review” (e.g., pregnancy can recur)
Political Question
Political Q: Fed court will not take issues involving a matter for another branch of gov’t that the judicial process is inherently incapable of resolving and enforcing
1. Textually demonstrable constitutional commitment to other branches (Senate’s sole power to impeach), lack of judicial standards (partisan but not racial gerrymandering, foreign affairs)
Abstention
Fed court will abstain (defer to state courts) if claim is based on an undecided issue of state law
Adequate and Independent State Law Grounds
SCOTUS will not hear a case from a state high court if its
decision can be supported on state law grounds alone (even if federal Q involved), unless it was unclear
whether based on state law alone, or state follows federal constitution (treat as federal law)
No Advisory Opinions
Advisory opinions lack an actual dispute b/w pts or any legally binding effect. Matter must be a real and substantive present (or specific future) controversy capable of specific relief
11th Amendment
Private pts cannot sue state gov’t in fed court for damages (injunctions OK)
Allowed if v. state officials (incl. for damages), state expressly consents, or based on 13A-15A powers
Congressional Power
Congress does NOT have regulatory (police) power to promote health, safety, and welfare of residents except in DC
Commerce clause
Taxing power
Delegation power
Property power
Speech and debate clause power
Appropriations power
Commerce Clause
Broad power to regulate interstate commerce (ISC), i.e., regulate channels, instrumentalities,
activities that have a substantial effect on ISC (even intrastate, economic activity under cumulative effect doctrine)
Shared with state and local gov’t through dormant commerce clause (see § IV-e for tests)
i
Cumulative effects doctrine: To determine “substantial effect,” consider aggregate effect of similar actions
i
Cannot regulate intrastate non-economic activity (e.g., guns near school) unless economic effect on ISC
Comprehensive scheme EXCEPTION: If Congress enacts a program that aims at interstate or economic activity, it can sweep up isolated instances of intrastate non-economic activity if those are necessary to make the program effective and have a substantial national economic effect
Taxing power
Impose and collect taxes to pay debts and spend for the general welfare w/ purpose to raise revenue
Spending power
Spend for any public purpose to provide for general welfare (e.g., education, roads, space program)
Congress cannot regulate for the general welfare except in non-state federal territories
Delegation power
Congress can delegate powers it possesses and create an agency with legislative power to make
rules. Intelligible guidelines for carrying out concrete objectives are required (loose standard—think RB)
Property power
Regulate (pass any law) and dispose of federal property, including Indian property and wild animals
Speech and debate clause
A member of Congress (+ aides) cannot be punished for anything said on legislative floor
Impeachment power
Congress can remove the president, federal judges, and federal officials through impeachment
Appropriations power
Congress can pass a bill to direct how the president must spend money
Earmarking funds: Executive branch must spend the funds, or obtain Congress approval to refuse spending
Congressional Authorization 3 prong test
Where the president acts with Congress’s express/implied authority, his power is at its apex, and his action is likely valid.
Where Congress is silent, the president’s action is upheld as long as the act does not take over another branch’s powers or prevent another branch from performing its tasks.
Where the president acts against Congress’s express will, he has little authority, and his action is likely invalid
Executive powers
Enforcement of laws
Appointment power
Removal power
Pardon power
Privileges
Commander-in-chief (military) powers
International affairs
Enforcement of Laws
May delegate to other executive officers. Attorney general is chief
law-enforcement official. May direct federal executive agencies (executive orders) but not private parties
outside the executive branch unless authorized by Congress. May set up presidential advisory commissions
Appointment power
President can appoint officers and high-level officials with consent of Senate
Removal power
President can remove high-level, purely executive officials without cause. President may
be able to remove other executive officials for good cause based on statute (e.g., corruption, incompetence)
Pardon Power
President may grant pardons before charge or after conviction to federal criminal