Opinion ID: 495296
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Plain Meaning of 42 U.S.C. Sec. 602(a)(22)

Text: 22 A court's objective when interpreting a federal statute  'is to ascertain the intent of Congress and to give effect to legislative will.'  Foxgord v. Hischemoeller, 820 F.2d 1030, 1032 (9th Cir.1987) (quoting United States v. Taylor, 802 F.2d 1108, 1113 (9th Cir.1986), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 107 S.Ct. 1309, 94 L.Ed.2d 164 (1987)).  'The most persuasive evidence of ... [congressional] intent is the words selected by Congress.'  Foxgord, 820 F.2d at 1032 (quoting Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs v. Forsyth Energy, Inc., 666 F.2d 1104, 1107 (7th Cir.1981)). We begin with the statute's language, and '[a]bsent a clearly expressed legislative intention to the contrary, that language must ordinarily be regarded as conclusive.'  Foxgord, 820 F.2d at 1032 (quoting Consumer Prod. Safety Comm'n v. GTE Sylvania, Inc., 447 U.S. 102, 108, 100 S.Ct. 2051, 2056, 64 L.Ed.2d 766 (1980)) (citations omitted). 23 The determinative statute is 42 U.S.C. Sec. 602(a)(22). The relevant language provides that the State agency will promptly take all necessary steps to correct any overpayment ... of aid under the State plan.... 42 U.S.C. Sec. 602(a)(22) (emphasis added). The Secretary's regulation broadly defines overpayment as follows: Overpayment means a financial assistance payment received by or for an assistance unit for the payment month which exceeds the amount for which that unit was eligible. 45 C.F.R. Sec. 233.20(a)(13)(i) (1986). 24 The district court did not expressly analyze the statute's plain meaning, but simply examined the statute's legislative history. The appellees summarily dismiss Congress' language as not clear on its face, and proceed to a discussion of the legislative history. Appellees have failed to meet their burden of pointing to any express language in the legislative history which would preclude the State from filing an action for recoupment or imposing a setoff where overpayment has been compelled by an erroneous court order. Foxgord, 820 F.2d at 1032. 25 The plain language of section 602(a)(22) mandating recovery of any overpayment does not distinguish between classes of overpayments that may be recouped. See Tambe v. Bowen, 662 F.Supp. 939, 941 (W.D.N.Y.1987) (the language of the statute [Sec. 602(a)(22) ] is clear in providing that 'all' necessary steps shall be taken to correct 'any' overpayment.... This broad language is not tempered or constricted by any limitation whatsoever). Instead, use of the adjective any indicates that Congress intended that overpayments must be recouped without restriction. A literal reading of the statutory language is supported by the Secretary's construction of the statute he is required to enforce. As set forth above, 45 C.F.R. Sec. 233.20(a)(13)(i) broadly defines an overpayment as money received which exceeds the amount the individual was entitled to receive. The regulation imposes no restriction on the right of a state to recoup any overpayment. The Secretary's interpretation of a statute is entitled to great deference. Department of Health, State of Cal. v. Secretary of Health & Human Servs., 823 F.2d 323, 326 (9th Cir.1987); Miller v. Bowen, 789 F.2d 678, 681 (9th Cir.1986) (we give great deference to the Secretary's interpretation of a statute in issuing regulations). 26 The record shows that the State made AFDC payments to appellees during the period of the permanent injunction which exceeded the amount the appellees were entitled to receive under the AFDC program. The statute does not distinguish overpayments made as the result of a court order. Appellees have not demonstrated that Congress intended to exclude recoupment of court ordered overpayments. We have examined the legislative history for the sole purpose of determining whether, notwithstanding the plain language of the statute, there is a clearly expressed intention to exclude recoupment of overpayments made pursuant to a court order. There is none. The district court erred in concluding that the State could not recoup AFDC payments.