Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/21pdf/20-303_6khn.pdf
Page Number: 42.0

Cite as:  596 U. S. ____ (2022) 

9 

SOTOMAYOR, J., dissenting 

B 
The Court cautions that holding this classification uncon-
stitutional would “usher in potentially far-reaching conse-
quences,” such as requiring the extension of other federal
programs to citizens who reside in all Territories.  Ante, at 
5.  It bears noting that tax status did not preclude Congress’ 
extension of SSI to the Northern Mariana Islands, under-
mining that justification as a rational basis to distinguish 
Puerto Rico from the States.  In any event, the Court iden-
tifies  no  federal  program  other  than  SSI  that  operates  in
such a uniform, nationalized, and direct manner.  For in-
stance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is
administered  by  local  governments.  See  Brief  for  Public 
Benefits  Scholars  as  Amici  Curiae  8–9.  That  distinction 
alone  may  justify  differential  treatment  by  jurisdiction  of
residence. 

In fact, it is the Court’s holding that might have dramatic 
repercussions.  If Congress can exclude citizens from safety-
net programs on the ground that they reside in jurisdictions 
that  do  not  pay  sufficient  taxes,  Congress  could  exclude
needy  residents  of  Vermont,  Wyoming,  South  Dakota, 
North  Dakota,  Montana,  and  Alaska  from  benefits  pro-
grams on the basis that residents of those States pay less 
into the Federal Treasury than residents of other States.6 
Congress has never enacted a uniform, nationalized direct 
assistance program, and then excluded entire States on the
basis that the taxpaying residents of that State do not pay 
sufficient federal taxes.  The Court’s holding today suggests
that doing so would be constitutional and not a violation of 
the Constitution’s promise of equal protection of citizens. 

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6 The  United  States  concedes  that  the  analysis  would  be  the  same  if 
Congress excluded residents of a State from the SSI program.  Tr. of Oral 
Arg. 6.