Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/09pdf/08-1529.pdf
Page Number: 12.0

Cite as:  559 U. S. ____ (2010) 

9 

Opinion of the Court 

the  FTCA,  including  the  Westfall  Act’s  exception  for
claims  “brought  for  a  violation  of  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States,”  §2679(b)(2)(A).    Through  this  series  of 
cross-references,  respondents  would  read  that  exception 
for Bivens actions into §233(a). 

Section  233(a)  is  not  susceptible  of  this  reading.    As 
petitioners  observe,  that  provision  refers  only  to  “[t]he 
remedy  against  the  United  States  provided  by  sections 
1346(b) and 2672.”  §233(a) (emphasis added).  Thus, only
those  portions  of  chapter  171  that  establish  the  FTCA 
remedy  are  incorporated  by  §233(a)’s  reference  to  §1346. 
Section  2679(b)  is  not  such  a  provision.    Section  233(a)’s
reference to §26728—which is codified in chapter 171—also 
belies  respondents’  theory.    If  §233(a)’s  reference  to
§1346(b) served to incorporate all the provisions of chapter 
171, the separate reference to §2672 would be superfluous.
Respondents  next  argue  that  the  Westfall  Act’s  Bivens 
exception,  §2679(b)(2)(A),  directly  preserves  a  Bivens 
action  against  PHS  officers  and  employees. 
That 
§2679(b)(2)(A)  by  its  terms  applies  only  to  the  specific 
immunity set forth in “[p]aragraph (1)” belies respondents’ 
claim.  Moreover,  if  §233(a)  forecloses  a  Bivens  action 
against  PHS  personnel, 
of 
§2679(b)(2)(A) would effect an implied repeal of that more 
specific  provision.  Although  we  noted  in  Smith  that 
§2679(b) applies to all federal employees, see 499 U. S., at
173,  we  had  no  occasion  to  consider  whether  the  Bivens 

respondents’ 

reading 

—————— 

8 Section  2672  authorizes  agency  heads  and  their  designees  to  “con-
sider,  ascertain,  adjust,  determine,  compromise,  and  settle  any  claim 
for  money  damages  against  the  United  States  for  injury  or  loss  of
property or personal injury or death caused by the negligent or wrong-
ful  act  or  omission  of  any  employee  of  the  agency  while  acting  within 
the  scope  of  his  office  or  employment,  under  circumstances  where  the
United  States,  if  a  private  person,  would  be  liable  to  the  claimant  in
accordance  with  the  law  of  the  place  where  the  act  or  omission  oc-
curred.”