Document: 413 U.S. 528 93 S.Ct. 2821. 37 L.Ed.2d 782 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE et al., Appellants,v.Jacinta MORENO al. No. 72—534. Argued April 23, 1973. Decided June 25, Syllabus Section 3(e) of the Food Stamp Act 1964, as amended in 1971, generally excludes from participation food stamp program any household containing an individual who is unrelated to other member. The Secretary Agriculture issued regulations thereunder rendering ineligible for 'household' whose members are not 'all related each other.' Congress stated that purposes were 'to safeguard health and well-being Nation's population raise levels nutrition among low-income households . (and) increased utilization establishing maintaining adequate national will promote distribution our agricultural abundance strengthen economy ..' District Court held 'unrelated person' provision § creates irrational classification violation equal protection component Due Process Clause Fifth Amendment. Held: legislative here involved cannot be sustained, being clearly irrelevant rationally furthering legitimate governmental interest. In practical operation, excludes, those 'likely abuse program,' but, rather, only so desperately need aid they even afford alter their living arrangements retain eligibility. Pp. 533—538. 345 F.Supp. 310, affirmed. A. Raymond Randolph, Jr., Washington, D.C., appellants. Ronald F. Pollack, New York City, appellees. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion Court. 1 This case requires us consider constitutionality 7 U.S.C. 2012(e), 84 Stat. 2048, which, with certain exceptions, member household. effect, two classes persons purposes: one class composed individuals live all another, consists or more rest. latter denied federal assistance. A three-judge Columbia this invalid violative 310 (1972). We noted probable jurisdiction. 409 1036, 526, 34 485 affirm. 2 * was established 1964 effort alleviate hunger malnutrition needy segments society. 2011. Eligibility determined on a rather than basis. CFR 271.3(a). An eligible purchases sufficient stamps provide nutritionally diet. pays at reduced rate based upon its size cumulative income. then used purchase retail stores, Government redeems face value, thereby paying difference between actual cost amount paid by stamps. See §§ 2013(a), 2016, 2025(a). 3 As initially enacted, defined 'a group non-related individuals, residents institution boarding house, but economic unit sharing common cooking facilities whom customarily purchased common.'1 January however redifined term include groups individuals.2 Pursuant amendment, promulgated other.'3 4 Appellees consist several allege that, although satisfy income eligibility requirements assistance, have nevertheless been excluded solely because Appellee Jacinta Moreno, example 56-year-old diabetic lives Ermina Sanchez latter's three children. They share expenses, Mrs. helps care appellee. Appellee's monthly income, derived public $75; receives $133 per month $135 rent, gas electricity, which appellee $50. spends $10 transportation hospital regular visits, $5 laundry. That leaves her necessities. Despite poverty, has assistance she Moreover, children permitted $108 worth $18, terminated if Moreno continues them. 5 Sheilah Hejny married Although Hejnys indigent, took 20-year-old girl, them 'we felt had emotional problems.' receive $144 $14. If allow girl continue them, reason 3(e). 6 Victoria Keppler daughter acute hearing deficiency. special instruction school deaf. located area could ordinarily live. Thus, order make most limited resources, agreed apartment near woman who, like appellee, Since woman, appellee's been, be, cut off together. These appellees instituted action against Department Agriculture, Secretary, departmental officials, seeking declaratory injunctive relief enforcement 1971 amendment implementing regulations. essence, contend,4 held, Amendment.5 agree. II 8 Under traditional analysis, must itself Jefferson v. Hackney, 406 535, 546, 92 1724, 1731, 32 285 (1972); Richardson Belcher, 404 78, 81, 254, 257, 30 231 (1971); Dandridge Williams, 397 471, 485, 90 1153, 1161, 25 491 (1970); McGowan Maryland, 366 420, 426, 81 1101, 1105, 393 (1961). expressly set forth congressional 'declaration policy': 9 'It hereby declared policy households. finds purchasing power hojseholds contributes such further beneficial manner abundances economy, well result orderly marketing food. To malnutrition, herein authorized permit low-in-come diet through normal channels trade.' 10 challenged statutory (households versus persons) Act. recognized, '(t)he relationships constituting nothing do abilities stimulate farm surpluses, personal nutritional requirements.' F.Supp., 313. 11 it some interest specifically policy.' Regrettably, there little history illuminate 3(e).6 does exist, however, indicates intended prevent socalled 'hippies' 'hippie communes' participating program. H.R.Conf.Rep.No.91—1793, p. 8; 116 Cong.Rec. 44439 (1970) (Sen. Holland). sustained reference purpose. For constitutional conception 'equal laws' means anything, very least mean bare desire harm politically unpopular constitute result, '(a) purpose discriminate hippies cannot, without (some independent) considerations interest, justify amendment.' 314 n. 11. 12 apparently conceding point, maintains should upheld minimizing fraud administration program.7 contends adopting might thought (1) likely 'fully related' contain fraudulently failing report sources voluntarily remaining poor; (2) 'relatively unstable,' increasing difficulty detecting abuses. But we accept rational Government's wholly unsubstantiated assumptions concerning differences 'related' 'unrelated' still agree conclusion denial essential otherwise constitutes deal these concerns. 13 At outset, important note contains provisions, independent 3(e), aimed problems poor. example, 5(c) Act, 2014(c), renders 'an able-bodied adult person ages eighteen sixty-five' fails register for, accept, offered employment. Similarly, 14(b) (c), 2023(b) impose strict criminal penalties obtains uses fraudulently.8 existence provisions necessarily casts considerable doubt proposition same Eisenstadt Baird, 405 438, 452, 1029, 1037, 31 349 cf. Dunn Blumstein, 330, 353—354, 995, 1008, 274 14 simply operate prevention fraud. previously noted, defines (and 3) common.' together meeting conditions would single financially feasible, can legally avoid exclusion altering eliminate conditions. By doing, effectively create separate 'households' both Knowles Butz, 358 228 (ND Cal.1973). Indeed, California Director Social Welfare explained:9 15 'The 'related household' limitations many Program. It my understanding Congressional intent new communes.' Most people category remain However, AFDC mothers try standard housing affected. able utilize altered patterns giving up advantage shared costs.' 16 program, Traditional analysis require every drawn precise "mathematical nicety." U.S., S.Ct., 1161. issue 'imprecise', judgment holding under Amendment therefore 17 Affirmed. 18 DOUGLAS, concurring. 19 helping $75, Sanchez' $133, also $95 $40, $40 $10. visits received $18. Act,1 her. 20 children, five. She husband shares housekeeping. pay $14 comprise indigent too provision. 21 deficiency where mother So minor moved into nearby Keppler, Keppler's 22 enjoin 23 dire need; others degree first class. type qualifies relief, second qualify, no matter need. application said violate implicit Bolling Sharpe, 347 497, 499, 74 693, 694, 98 L.Ed. 884. 24 test whether line bears 'some relationship legitimate' purpose.2 Weber Aetna Casualty & Surety Co., 164, 172, 1400, 1405, 768. requirement denies government 'the legislate different treatment accorded placed statute basis criteria objective' enactment. Reed Reed, 71, 75—76, 251, 225. involves poor though unrelated, come mutual help choice one's associates social, political, race, religious basic scheme. NAACP Alabama, 357 449, 460, 78 1163, 1170, 1488; De Jonge Oregon, 299 353, 363, 57 255, 259, 278; Button, 371 415, 429—431, 83 328, 405; Gibson Florida Legislative Committee, 372 539, 889, 929, 377 288, 1302, 325. extends associational rights members' trade union. Brotherhood Railroad Trainmen Virginia Bar, 1, 8, 1113, 1117, 89. 26 I suppose association working poverty field entitled racial, banking, field. convention umbrella others. dimensions problem category. facts show, congregating better meet adversities poverty. banding expression right freedom deep traditions. 27 Other recognized peripheral First rights—the send child school, study German language private entire spectrum learning, teaching, communicating ideas, marital privacy. Griswold Connecticut, 381 479, 482—483, 85 1678, 1680, 510. 28 examples indicate, exercised assemblies congregate halls auditoriums discrete actions parents placing choice. Taking home he needs brings happiness dignity. 29 choose family generations, treating unit. Congress, done here. Concededly alone disqualified receipt aid, theoretically Nor common-law couples disqualified: they, alone, may qualify poor—whether abandoned wives antifamily attitudes be. words, maintenance ties. penalizes families brought roof person. poorest doubling aspects problem, Fraud concern (c). Able-bodied work lose rights. 2014(c). say 'rational' relation control here, association, protected People join hands aim combat crises denied, while made relatives serviced. Problems fisc, Shapiro Thompson, 394 618, 633, 89 1322, 1330, 600, concerns government. 'may accomplish invidious distinctions citizens.' Ibid. 'essentially chose cohabit stamps'3—so-called 'hippy communes'—from Conference Report,4 definition 'designed prohibit communal 'families' individuals.' invite stranger regime roughshod. abuses inherent pattern protected, 'narrowly drawn,' Cantwell 296, 307, 60 900, 904, 1213, end. method adopted applied cases makes unconstitutional discrimination persons. 33 491, opposed. Maryland grant welfare, claim protection, upper limit receive. claimants large exceeded grants. Their grants considered light created favor small families. rejected state social legislation long judged less comes play when constitutionally involved. Id., 484—485, Laws touching matters pass muster Equal Protection imperfect, 'reasonable basis.' Fourteenth gives courts States views what wise 486, 1162. aspect case, Dandridge, did reach classifications lie penumbra directed treats impoverished favorably having person, draws showing 'compelling' 35 present impact associate lawful choose. When effect curtailing associate' 'is subject closest scrutiny.' 460—461, 1171. 'right peaceably assemble' guaranteed covers wide human interests—including, id., 1171, 'political, economic, religious, cultural matters.' Banding foe falls within zone represented supra, waiting period welfare imposed State 'in-migration indigents' penalizing travel absent 'compelling interest.' 631, 634, 1329, 1331. 36 REHNQUIST, THE CHIEF JUSTICE concurs, dissenting. much reasons dissenting United Murry, 508, 522, 2832, 2840, 767, am unable Court's disposition case. Here Federal 2011 seq., 'household.' pool resources obtain eligible. 38 persuasive committee arguing adoption limitation question. Undoubtedly, attacked blunt instrument and, just undoubtedly, arguments conceive significantly advanced enactment limitation. questions Court; role determination decide funds available go 39 believe asserted fraudulent use is, interpreted favorable sustaining limitation, quite seems believe. chosen availability 'household,' criticized challenged, singled out ineligible. think unreasonable conclude willing support funding variation know it—a consisting individuals. provides guarantee provided exists collect 40 Admittedly, points out, formed collecting stamps, time deny part take But, concedes, '(t)raditional 'mathematical nicety," ante, 538. And earlier term, similarly 'imprecise' rule pursuant Truth Lending grounds urged Mourning Family Publications Service, Inc., 411 356, 1652, 318 (1973), imposition served discourage evasion substantial portion disclosure mechanisms consumer protection. 41 enacted could, reasonable men, conceivably taking subsidy desires low-cost food, permissible decision consistent underlying fact unfortunate perhaps unintended consequences beyond unconstitutional. 703 (emphasis added). act shall prepares consumption.' 2048. affect nonrelated over years age. amended, now provides: (including assigned foster children) age common. consumption, elderly meets section 2019(h) title.' 2012(e). Title 270.2(jj) '(jj) 'Household' persons, excluding roomers, boarders, live-in attendants necessary medical, housekeeping, reasons, common: Provided, That: '(1) age, other; '(2) older, older. (i) (ii) section, his spouse.' argued themselves scope authority conferred statute. contention, pressed argument appeal. challenge statute's reliance 'individuals' intimate view '(W)hile clause, forbid 'so unjustifiable due process." Schneider Rusk, 163, 168, 1187, 1190, 218 (1964); see Frontiero Richardson, 677, 680 5, 1764, 1767 583 (1973); 641—642, 1335, 600 (1969); 884 (1954). materialized, consideration, during conference committee's consideration differing House Senate bills. justified 'morality.' rejecting 'interpreting attempt regulate morality serious questions.' 314. citing decisions 510 (1965), Stanley Georgia, 557, 1243, 542 (1969), (1972), observed doubtful best, 'in name morality,' 'infringe privacy home.' (Emphasis original.) court pointed prevailing notions morality, since terms disqualifies particular sexes.' 315 'morality' argument. Brief Appellants 9. (c) provide: '(b) Whoever knowingly uses, transfers, acquires, alters, possesses coupons authorization cards (Act) shall, value $100 more, guilty felony conviction thereof, fined $10,000 imprisoned five both, or, $100, misdemeanor $5,000 year, both. '(c) presents, causes presented, payment redemption knowing received, transferred, years, both.' App. 43. relevant part: Regulations "Household' medical older.' 270.2(jj). 'Eligibility All residing quarters consolidated prior determining subchapter.' Congress: '(T)o (Italics added.) 42003. 8.

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