Opinion ID: 149223
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Feasibility of Joining the Secretary

Text: Rule 19(a) contemplates that a required party be joined as either a plaintiff or defendant. In the posture of this suit, the Secretary would be joined as a defendant rather than a plaintiff. However, we conclude that EEOC cannot join the Secretary as a defendant. EEOC is prevented by 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(f)(1) from filing suit against the Secretary on its own authority. Section 2000e-5(f)(1) provides that if EEOC is not able to obtain a conciliation agreement with a governmental agency, it cannot itself bring suit against that agency. Instead, § 2000e-5(f)(1) provides that if EEOC is unable to obtain an agreement, it shall take no further action and shall refer the case to the Attorney General who may bring a civil action against such respondent in the appropriate United States district court. We were told at oral argument by EEOC's attorney that EEOC has no expectation that the Attorney General will file suit against the Secretary. While there is no evidence in the record of a formal referral to and refusal by the Attorney General, we assume for purposes of our decision that the Attorney General either has refused or will refuse to file suit against the Secretary.