Opinion ID: 200393
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Existence of the Implied Discretionary Function Exception

Text: 14 We begin with the threshold issue of whether a discretionary function exception should be implied in the context of the SAA. Unless such an exception can be implied, waiver of sovereign immunity by the United States would allow the plaintiffs' suit to proceed. 15 The United States, as sovereign, is immune from suit unless it waives its sovereign immunity and consents to be sued. See, e.g., United States v. Thompson, 98 U.S. 486, 489, 25 L.Ed. 194 (1878). Absent express waiver of sovereign immunity, federal courts lack subject matter jurisdiction over suits against the United States. United States v. Sherwood, 312 U.S. 584, 586, 61 S.Ct. 767, 85 L.Ed. 1058 (1941). In the SAA, the United States waives its sovereign immunity from suit for maritime torts committed by its agents. See 46 U.S.C. Appx. § 742; Gercey v. United States, 540 F.2d 536, 539 (1st Cir.1976). 16 The SAA contains no express exceptions to the waiver of sovereign immunity. In contrast, the Federal Torts Claims Act (FTCA), 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b), which waives sovereign immunity for tort claims against the United States, contains an express exception to shield the discretion of the executive or administrator to act according to one's judgment of the best course. Dalehite v. United States, 346 U.S. 15, 34, 73 S.Ct. 956, 97 L.Ed. 1427 (1953). This discretionary function exception serves to prevent judicial `second-guessing' of legislative and administrative decisions grounded in social, economic, and political policy. United States v. S.A. Empresa de Viacao Aerea Rio Grandense (Varig Airlines), 467 U.S. 797, 814, 104 S.Ct. 2755, 81 L.Ed.2d 660 (1984). This Court has held that a similar discretionary function exception is to be implied into the SAA. 3 See Gercey, 540 F.2d at 539. 17 We decline plaintiffs' invitation to reconsider our decision in Gercey, and reaffirm the principles set forth therein. Congress did not intend, by passing the SAA, to create a system wherein all administrative decisions concerning maritime matters are second-guessed and subject to judicial review. Gercey, 540 F.2d at 539. Absence of an express Congressional directive to the contrary will not be read as a green light for federal courts to assume power to review all administrative and legislative decisions concerning the public interest in maritime matters. Id. The district court did not err in applying well-established law implying a discretionary function exception to the SAA. 18