Document: 490 U.S. 153 109 S.Ct. 1693 104 L.Ed.2d 139 AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION, et al., Appellantsv.Steven GARFINKEL, Director, Information Security Oversight Office, al. No. 87-2127. April 18, 1989. Patti A Goldsmith argued the cause for appellants. With her on briefs were Alan B. Morrison, Paul Levy, and Susan Z. Holik. Edwin S. Kneedler appellees. him brief Acting Solicitor General Bryson, Assistant Attorney Bolton, Deputy Merrill, Barbara L. Herwig, Freddi Lipstein.* PER CURIAM. 1 As a condition of obtaining access to classified information, employees in Executive Branch are required sign "nondisclosure agreements" that detail employees' obligation confidentiality provide penalties event unauthorized disclosure. Two such nondisclosure forms at issue this case. One, Standard Form 189, was devised by Director Office (DISOO) (now appellee Garfinkel); other, 4193, created Central Intelligence (DCI) Webster). Both these forbade reveal or "classifiable" information persons not authorized receive App. 15, 19, made clear who disclosed violation agreements could lose their security clearances, jobs, both. Id., 16, 21. Neither form defined term "classifiable." The DISOO eventually promulgated regulation 189 include only unmarked unclassified "in process classification determination." Under regulation, moreover, an employee would violate agreement disclosing if "knows, reasonably should know, is determination requires interim protection." 52 Fed.Reg. 48367 (1987). For those signed however, DCI did attempt define More than half Federal Government's civilian military have either 4193. Brief Appellants 5. 2 Section 630 Continuing Resolution Fiscal Year 1988, Pub.L. 100-202, 101 Stat. 1329-432, enacted Congress 1987, prohibited expenditure funds fiscal year 1988 implementation enforcement any other violated one its five subsections.* In response statute, Garfinkel ordered agencies cease using but several nevertheless approximately 43,000 after § enacted. 10. DCI, contrast, continued require attached paragraph stating "be implemented enforced manner consistent with" statute which part. 26-27. Three months became law, replaced 4193 with 4355, eliminated National Federation Employees v. United States, 688 F.Supp. 671, 680, n. 11 (DC 1988). 3 Appellant American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) Members brought present lawsuit challenging appellees' use Forms ground they 630. They sought declaratory injunctive relief (1) bar appellees from requiring execute during 1988; (2) compel treat December 22, 1987 (the effective date 630), as void; (3) direct notify all void terms before be 1988. This consolidated two cases, Government Employees, enjoin because, among things, because so vague overbroad it inhibited speech First Amendment. 4 District Court Columbia concluded appellant AFSA had standing challenge behalf members, lacked forms. F.Supp., 678-682. court then assumed "the Executive's actions since enactment section do comply requirements legislation," id., 683, three despite 630's specific prohibition form. Acknowledging that, time, added 630, action " 'true congressional mandate derives authority,' 683-684, quoting Farmers Union Exchange, Inc. FERC, 236 U.S.App.D.C. 203, 217, 734 F.2d 1486, 1500 (1984), review under Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 706, "likely" show contrary 684, 16. Having thus skirted statutory question whether Branch's proceeded address argument dismissed unconstitutional interference President's authority protect national security. Concluding "impermissibly restricts power ulfill obligations imposed upon his express constitutional powers role foreign relations," 685, entered summary judgment favor took appeal Court's pursuant 28 1252, we noted probable jurisdiction, 488 923, 302, 102 322 (1988). spite importance impermissibly intrudes regulate disclosure information—indeed, partly it—we remand case without expressing opinion issue. 6 Events occurring issued ruling place light far different considered it. Since issuing decision now review, has ruled presented cases consolidated, decided unadorned used unconstitutionally vague. See 695 1196, 1201-1203 further held DISOO's definition "classifiable," see supra, 1-2, remedy vagueness, force no information. 1203-1204. Appellees thereafter deleted word "classifiable"—a primary focus appellants' 4193—from forms, given regulation. also furnished individualized notice change 53 38278 (1988); Motion Affirm 13. According appellants, notified current refinement "classifiable"; former employees, left employment Government, received notice. 15. controversy exists today is, short, quite considered. 7 Indeed, urge us hold moot extent challenges 31-32. been longer controls indeed moot. emphasize, informed switch terminology; them, remains alive. 20. We decline decide merits request questions individual complaint can read 32, 24 (arguing cannot read), best addressed first instance Court. 8 second reason why proceedings rather ordering appellants argue "classified information" supplied DISOO, 38279 (1988) (to codified 32 CFR 2003.20(h)(3)), does contend prohibits known classified, whereas subsection refers "known employee" being classified. 19-20. Senate amicus there o inconsistency between 630(1) new definition. 39-41; States Amicus Curiae 17-18. It appears order press issue, forced amend take into account "classified." 41. Because allow amendment Court, raises interpretation touched leave matters instance. 9 addition, subsections (3), (4), (5) dealing Congress. apparently agree simply preserve pre-existing rights, rights guaranteed statutes provisions. 38-40; 48. respect portion informing them alter rights. 38. No actual disclose Congress, doing so, our attention. There substantial possibility last ripe decision, exactly pressed amici. Civil Liberties 28-48; Speaker Leadership Group House Representatives 12-16; 15-21. not, disposed ourselves so. analyzed interaction policy abbreviated fashion, benefit lower court's help ready or, guide own resolution merits. Again, therefore, return sort out 10 part become parts may retain vitality, vacate below opinion. See, e.g., Dept. Treasury Galioto, 477 556, 560, 106 2683, 2686, 91 459 (1986); Munsingwear, Inc., 340 36, 39-40, 71 104, 106-107, 95 L.Ed. 36 (1950). emphasize pronounce relative unless finds imperative Particularly where, here, implicates fundamental relationship Branches, courts extremely careful unnecessary rulings. On remand, sufficiently live concrete adjudicated appropriate equitable relief, susceptible reconciling interpretation; turn over Ashwander TVA, 297 288, 345-356, 56 466, 482-487, 80 (1936) (Brandeis, J., concurring); Rescue Army Municipal Los Angeles, 331 549, 67 1409, 1666 (1947); Clark Jeter, 486 456, 459, 108 1910, 1913, 100 465 vacated, remanded 12 ordered. * Briefs amici curiae urging reversal filed Kate Martin, Gary M. Stern, Steven R. Shapiro, John A. Powell; Labor Industrial Organizations Robert Weinberg, Walter Kamiat, Lawrence Gold, George Kauffman, Mark Roth, Charles Hobbie; Accountability Project Joseph Kennedy. curia Michael Davidson, Ken U. Benjamin, Jr.; Morgan J Frankel; speaker leadership Representives Ross Tiefer. provides: "No appropriated Act implement enforce policy, agreement: "(1) concerns specifically marked classified; determination; "(2) contains 'classifiable'; "(3) directly indirectly obstructs, requirement prior written authorization, limitation disclosure, otherwise, right petition communicate secure provided rules procedures Congress; "(4) interferes obtain executive branch "(5) imposes invokes remedies inconsistent law: Provided, That nothing shall affect aspects fall within (1)-(5) section." applied 619 Treasury, Postal Appropriations 1989, 100-440, 1756, includes restrictions expenditures 1989 identical contained

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