Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/19pdf/19-177_b97c.pdf
Page Number: 14

Cite as:  591 U. S. ____ (2020) 

1 

BREYER, J., dissenting 

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES 

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No. 19–177 
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AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, 
ET AL., PETITIONERS v. ALLIANCE FOR OPEN 
SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL, INC., ET AL. 

ON WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF 
APPEALS FOR THE SECOND CIRCUIT 

[June 29, 2020] 

JUSTICE  BREYER,  with  whom  JUSTICE  GINSBURG  and 

JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR join, dissenting. 

The Court, in my view, asks the wrong question and gives
the wrong answer.  This case is not about the First Amend-
ment rights of foreign organizations.  It is about—and has 
always been about—the First Amendment rights of Ameri-
can organizations.

The last time this case came before us, those American 
organizations vindicated their constitutional right to speak 
freely, both at home and abroad.  In Agency for Int’l Devel-
opment v. Alliance for Open Society Int’l, Inc., 570 U. S. 205 
(2013) (AOSI I ), we held that the First Amendment forbids
the Government from distorting their speech by requiring,
as a condition of receiving federal funds, that they “pledge 
allegiance” to a state-sponsored message.  Id., at 220. 

This time, the question is whether the American organi-
zations  enjoy  that  same  constitutional  protection  against
government-compelled distortion when they speak through 
clearly  identified  affiliates  that  have  been  incorporated 
overseas.  The answer to that question, as I see it, is yes.
I dissent from the Court’s contrary conclusion.