Document: 479 U.S. 361 107 S.Ct. 734 93 L.Ed.2d 732 Frank G. BURKE, Acting Archivist of the United States and Ronald Geisler, Executive Clerk White House, Petitioners,v.Michael D. BARNES et al. No. 85-781. Argued Nov. 4, 1986. Decided Jan. 14, 1987. Syllabus Congress passed a bill conditioning continuance military aid to El Salvador upon President's semiannual certification that nation's progress in protecting human rights. The President neither signed nor returned it House Representatives where had originated, claiming since meantime adjourned been subjected "pocket veto." Respondent Members then filed suit against petitioners Federal District Court, challenging purported Court granted summary judgment for petitioners. Appeals reversed, holding become law despite effort veto" it, but expired by its own terms few weeks later. Held: case is moot. Article III requires there be live or controversy at time federal court decides case; not enough may have when was decided whose this reviewing. Here, any issues as whether question became were mooted terms, regardless previously enacted into not. Any over petitioner Archivist's failure publish Statutes Large duly dispute accounting obligations relating expenditure funds under sufficient keep from being Pp. 363-364. 245 U.S.App.D.C. 1, 759 F.2d 21, vacated remanded. REHNQUIST, C.J., delivered opinion which BRENNAN, MARSHALL, BLACKMUN, POWELL, O'CONNOR, JJ., joined. STEVENS, J., dissenting opinion, WHITE, joined, post, p. 365. SCALIA, took no part consideration decision case. Richard K. Willard, Washington, D.C., Morgan J. Frankel, respondents. Chief Justice REHNQUIST Court. 1 Both Senate bill, H.R. 4042, 98th Cong., 1st Sess. (1983), Salvador's position because end first session I, § 7, cl. 2, Constitution. 2 Respondents-plaintiffs action are 33 individual who seeking "pocket-veto" question. Speaker Bipartisan Leadership Group intervened support plaintiffs also respondents here. favor petitioners-defendants, Barnes v. Carmen, 582 F.Supp. 163 (DC 1984), divided reversed. Kline, 21 (1984). majority concluded standing maintain action, notwithstanding it. judge view did action. Petitioners Burke, States, contend (a) lacked (b) incorrect construing "Pocket Veto" Clause Constitution did, (c) We agree with final contention petitioners, hold therefore do reach either other contentions 3 on September 30, 1984, after entered judgment. we Sosna Iowa, 419 393, 402, 95 553, 558, 42 532 (1975); Golden Zwickler, 394 103, 108, 89 956, 959, 22 113 (1969). analyze if originally sought litigate validity statute already expired. In Diffenderfer Central Baptist Church Miami, Florida, Inc., 404 412, 92 574, 30 567 (1972) (per curiam), stated: 4 "The only relief complaint declaratory now repealed Fla.Stat. 192.06(4) unconstitutional applied church parking lot used commercial purposes an injunction application said lot. This is, course, inappropriate has repealed." Id., 414-415, S.Ct., 575-576. 5 see reason treat challenge differently repealed, accordingly concerning 4042 terms. present effect does depend veto"; dead letter See Hall Beals, 396 45, 48, 90 200, 201, 24 214 (1969) curiam). 6 Respondents They assert remains Burke law, accordance provisions U.S.C. §§ 106a 112 (1982 ed., Supp. III). inaction, cryptically claim, caused "nullification their lawmaking processes." Brief 50. fail how interest "lawmaking process" might served publication statutes can survive life themselves.* 7 claim expended without required some future date subject recovery 31 1341, 1349-1351, 3521. These laws relate auditing account settlement Government expenditures Comptroller General. But think argument likewise fails show There indication presently existing obligations, such arise would between parties "[S]uch speculative contingencies afford basis our passing substantive [respondents] us decide respect the" now-expired 4042. supra, 49-50, 202. 8 vacated, remanded instructions remand dismiss complaint. Munsingwear, 340 36, 39, 71 104, 106, L.Ed. 36 (1950). 9 It so ordered. 10 SCALIA 11 whom WHITE joins, dissenting. 12 my retain same sort obtaining ruling merits they prior 1984. Prior "dead letter" killed valid pocket veto, attempt veto ineffective. If duty States; discontinue during period January 16, 1983, unless could certify progressing rights; Secretary State report amount provided violation 4042; General had, according still have,* recover amounts unlawfully allocated. 13 serious group Congressmen enforce those duties litigation. assume—as does, ante, 364, n., should analyzing mootness issue—that Legislature's work product nullification today. As long ever continues practical significance, retains ensuring enactments given proper legal effect. 14 congressional finding out acted illegally distributing foreign sovereigns surely survives prohibition Arguably pursued committee investigations rather than assume courthouse forum resolution tendered Whatever else about case, * reject respondents' questions necessarily intertwined. assume, arguendo, suffers judicially cognizable injury votes cast pass otherwise nullified Branch. "the [Congress'] processes," 50, longer exists claimed ceased effective argue invalid result return official officials made disbursements authority. 33-36 (discussing 1341(a)(1); 3523-3525).

Category: 8