Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/19pdf/18-1334_8m58.pdf
Page Number: 45.0

8 

FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT BD. FOR 
PUERTO RICO v. AURELIUS INVESTMENT, LLC 
SOTOMAYOR, J., concurring in judgment 

“singly and absolutely” responsible for any members of the 
Board.  The Federalist No. 77, p. 461 (C. Rossiter ed. 1961)
(A.  Hamilton)  (Appointments  Clause  ensures  that  “[t]he 
blame  of  a  bad  nomination  . . .  fall[s]  upon  the  President
singly and absolutely”).  And with no exceptions, the Senate 
fails to advise or consent to the President’s selections. 

Despite  the  Board’s  wide-ranging,  veto-free  authority 
over Puerto Rico, the solitary role PROMESA contemplates 
for Puerto Rican-selected officials is this: The Governor of 
Puerto Rico sits as an ex officio Board member without any 
voting  rights.    §101(e)(3),  130  Stat.  555.  No  individual 
within  Puerto  Rico’s  government  plays  any  part  in  deter-
mining which seven members now decide matters critical to
the island’s financial fate. 

II 
A 
In concluding that the Board members are territorial of-
ficers  not  subject  to  the  strictures  of  the  Appointment
Clause,  the  Court  does  not  meaningfully  address  Puerto
Rico’s history or status.  Nor need it, as the parties do not 
discuss the potential consequences that Congress’ recogni-
tion of complete self-government decades ago may have on
the Appointments Clause analysis.  But in my view, how-
ever one distinguishes territorial officers from federal offic-
ers (whether under the Court’s “primarily local” test, ante, 
at  14,  or  some  other  standard),  the  longstanding  compact 
between  the  Federal  Government  and  Puerto  Rico  raises 

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Category B members, the majority leader for the Senate submits a list
for the two Category C members, the majority leader of the House sub-
mits  a  list  for  the  Category D  member,  and  the  minority  leader  of  the
Senate submits a list for the Category E member.  §101(e)(2)(A), id., at 
554–555.  Finally, “the Category F member may be selected in the Pres-
ident’s sole discretion.”  §101(e)(2)(A)(vi), id., at 555.  Many other condi-
tions apply to the lists submitted and the individuals who may appear
on them.  See generally §§101(e)–(f ), id., at 554–556.