Legal Document

511 U.S. 298114 S.Ct. 1510128 L.Ed.2d 274 Maurice RIVERS and Robert C. Davison, Petitioners,v.ROADWAY EXPRESS, INC. No. 92-938. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Oct. 13, 1993. Decided April 26, 1994. Syllabus * Petitioners filed a complaint under, inter alia, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, alleging that respondent, their employer, had fired them on baseless charges because race they insisted same procedural protections in disciplinary proceedings were afforded white employees. Before trial, this issued Patterson v. McLean Credit Union, 491 164, 171, 109 2363, 2369, 105 132, holding 1981's prohibition against racial discrimination making enforcement contracts does not apply to conduct which occurs after formation contract interfere with right enforce established obligations. The District relied dismissing petitioners' discriminatory discharge claims. While appeal was pending, Civil Rights Act 1991 (1991 or Act) became law, 101 defines "make contracts" phrase embrace all phases incidents contractual relationship, including terminations. Appeals ruled, among other things, 1981 as interpreted Patterson, amended by 101, governed case. Held: Section case arose before it enacted. Pp. ____. (a) Landgraf USI Film Products, --- ----, 114 1483, ---- (1994), concluded 102 cases arising its enactment, requires rejection two submissions case: negative implication argument based §§ 402(a), 109(c), 402(b), see U.S., at 1493, Bradley Richmond School Bd., 416 696, 94 2006, 40 476, controls here, rather than presumption statutory retroactivity, 1489-1490. (b) fact enacted response supply sufficient evidence clear congressional intent overcome retroactivity. Even assuming reflects disapproval Patterson's interpretation, most legislators believed incorrectly decided represented departure from previously prevailing understanding reach, Act's text support intended "restore" prior passage. In contrast 1990 civil rights bill vetoed President, neither declares "restor[e]" limited decisions nor provides amendment applies "pending commenced after" date decided, but describes function "expanding" scope relevant statutes order provide adequate protection victims. Taken itself, is framed gloss original language demonstrate an new definition past acts. Altering definitions, adding definitions terms undefined, common way amending statutes, simply answer retroactivity question. legislative history bridge textual gap, since statements strongly are found debates bill, relating specifically conflicting unreliable. (c) Contrary argument, Court's do espouse "presumption" favor retroactive application restorative even absence intent. Frisbie Whitney, 9 Wall. 187, 19 L.Ed. 668, Freeborn Smith, 2 160, 17 922, distinguished. A purpose may be whether Congress statute govern conduct, act retroactively such must presumed. Since part contains evidence, section creates substantive liabilities no legal existence passed, preenactment conduct. Rather, authoritative interpretation went into effect. 973 F.2d 490 (CA 6 1992), affirmed remanded. STEVENS, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., O'CONNOR, SOUTER, GINSBURG, JJ., joined. SCALIA, concurring judgment, KENNEDY THOMAS, BLACKMUN, dissenting opinion. Eric Schnapper, New York City, for petitioners. Drew S. Days, III, amicus curiae, special leave Court. Glen D. Nager, Washington, DC, respondents. Justice STEVENS 1 1991, Pub.L. 102-166, Stat. 1071, term used 1866, Rev. Stat.1977, include "the making, performance, modification, termination contracts, enjoyment benefits, privileges, terms, conditions relationship." We granted certiorari decide hold not. Rivers Davison employed respondent Roadway Express, Inc., garage mechanics. On morning August 22, 1986, supervisor directed attend hearings later day. Because received proper notice guaranteed collective-bargaining agreement, petitioners refused attend. They suspended days, grievances awarded days' backpay. Respondent then held another hearing, also attend, again ground notice. thereupon discharged them. 3 December violation 1981.1 claimed, been 4 June 15, 1989, trial commenced, announced decision 132. "does obligations." Id., S.Ct., 2369. Relying none claims covered dismissed under section. After bench Title VII claims, reasons race, entered judgment respondent. 5 appeal, contended misconstrued complaint: merely claimed discharge, more alleged respondents retaliated them, attempting agreement. allegation related "enforcement" labor contract, maintained, stated claim construction statute. law. terminations.2 accordingly supplemental brief advancing applied agreed first contention second. Accordingly, ruled remanded jury discrimination-in-contract-enforcement claim. See Harvis (CA6 1992). certiorari, 507 113 1250, 122 649 (1993), sole question pending when set Landgraf, ----. II 7 we enactment. supporting conclusion require First, these petitioners, like petitioner rely heavily 109(c) 402(b) Act. That however, persuasive 102. ante, 1493-1496. 8 Second, argue 476 (1974), persuaded, clearly applicable altered employers subjecting expanded monetary liability, did alter normative VII's workplace discrimination. contrast, aspects terminations, enlarged category subject liability. Moreover, (and hence 101) employment; covers see, e.g., Runyon McCrary 427 96 2586, 49 415 (1976), Tillman Wheaton-Haven Recreation Assn., 410 431, 93 1090, 35 403 (1973), substantial 101's sweep overlap VII. short, has effect only increasing liability establishing standard conduct.3 important obligations imposes bring within class laws presumptively prospective. III 10 Act, issue Landgraf. contend should "restorative" prevailed our Patterson. advance variations theme: Congress' evident pre-Patterson law indicates affirmatively enactment;4 moreover, there "presumption statutes" Brief 37. 11 rule one cases—as put it, "legislatively overrul[e]," id., 38—does not, reveal intends "overruling" events would otherwise judicial decision.5 necessarily indicate viewed "wrongly decided" interpretive matter. view entirely correct reading law—or altogether indifferent decision's technical merits—but nevertheless old amended, future. Of course, announce operates parties whose decision. raises policy concerns, choice enact responds quite distinct make responding retroactive. 12 structure have determined according 1981. Thus, contracts," 1866 point indicating legislators' distress narrowed provision.6 together, argue, shows sense cut back legislation restore scope. Regardless wrong matter, maintain, give applying broader what means enforce" congressionally disapproved reading, upon 13 assume, assume many reach Those assumptions readily explain why might wanted legislate retroactively, thereby providing relief persons wrongfully denied remedy. those assumptions, cannot find any expression 14 President contained identical assuredly cases. 1990, 2104, 101st Cong., 2d Sess., (1990). - n. 8, 1491-1492, 8. statement purposes, unambiguously declared "respond recent restoring dramatically decisions," 2(b)(1) (emphasis added), entitled "Restoring Prohibition Against All Racial Discrimination Making Enforcement Contracts." added).7 15 [WESTm,S.Ct. 1517!]]More directly, 15(a)(6) expressly provided "shall 16 actually comparable language. Instead reference "restoring" pre-existing rights, purposes "expanding victims discrimination." 3(4), 1071 added). Consistently revised lacks direct understandings gap text. coverage bill. 6, supra. Such questionable relevance provision express provisions omitted legislation. reliable meaning respect contracts."8 B 18 lack dispositive if, kind maintain implicate fairness concerns least when, litigation, enacts acted.9 Indeed, amici contend, positively off, fact, action widely recognized lower courts, won damage judgments NAACP et al. Amici Curiae 7-14. Notwithstanding equitable convinced carry Our proposition espoused statutes. invoke 668 (1870), involved federal enabled others acquire property occupied thought owned 1862, case, grant title Mexican government void.10 "restored" reasonably good faith he possessed surprising announcement power practical status quo retroactively. As following passage demonstrates, about actual intent: "We say benefits designed confer, entertain doubt intention secure situated was, lands, compliance act, if done solely question." Wall, 192 original). 20 922 (1865). There, admitting Nevada Union failed jurisdiction over Territory achieved statehood. upheld constitutional attack subsequent explicitly curing "accidental impediment" 173-175. 21 us today, effective, or, indeed, decided. manifested Unlike narrow error-correcting Freeborn, plainly sort read "because contrary render ineffective." 1508. comprehensible, occurring effective date. "presume" cases.11 still impose "retroactively." part, contain evidence. 22 "The principle operate prospectively, while retrospectively, familiar every student," Security Industrial Bank, 459 70, 79, 103 407, 413, 74 235 (1982), illustrates second half well first. though Sixth Circuit precedents dispute arose, properly Harper Virginia Dept. Taxation, 509 2510, 2512, 125 (1993) ("When controlling given full open review events, regardless predate postdate rule"). Kuhn Fairmont Coal Co., 215 349, 372, 30 140, 148, 54 228 (1910) ("Judicial retrospective operation near thousand years") (Holmes, dissenting). essence decisionmaking—applying general rules particular situations—necessarily involves some peril individual expectations often difficult predict precise until distilled crucible litigation. L. Fuller, Morality Law 56 (1964) ("No system law—whether judge-made legislatively enacted—can so perfectly drafted room dispute"). 23 overrule Court; rather, therefore Courts cover incorrect. abstract validity, hierarchical court system. Cf. Brown Allen, 344 443, 540, 73 397, 427, 97 469 (1953) (Jackson, result). It responsibility means, once spoken, duty courts governing meant giving rise construction.12 November 21, 1991. baseline "retroactive" 24 Congress, amend believes misconstrued. even, broad bounds, change undo perceives undesirable consequences misinterpretation work product. No change, force unless implemented through supersede embodied views better earlier decisions, preceding "corrective" appear. appears 101. For reason, 25 affirmed, further consistent 26 ordered. 27 dissenting. 28 my dissent I Here, just natural statute's enactment date, where disturb parties' vested settled expectations. This 29 jobs mechanics, gives contracts,"1 understood employment contracts. Johnson Railway Express Agency, 421 454, 459-460, 95 1716, 1719-1720, 44 295 (1975) ("Although held, Federal Appeals—and now join —that affords remedy private basis race"). comports 1072, 'make contracts' includes majority seemingly accepts "respondent unfair surprise, because, time allegedly occurred, precedent could termination." Ante, ____, 9. Nonetheless, new, supercharged version traditional legislation, concludes 132 (1989), bound decision, formation. tenure was—or surely —brief, deny prolongs life repudiated Estate Reynolds Martin, 985 470, 475-476 (CA9 1993) (denying allow "live . years"). 31 Although opinions needed clarity jurisprudence, expense stalling remedial effort reconcile "apparent tension," Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. Bonjorno, 494 827, 837, 110 1570, 1577, 108 842 (1990), between Bowen Georgetown University Hospital, 488 204, 468, 493 (1988), loses sight core doctrine, namely, effectuate extent parties. Bradley, unanimous intervening allowing reasonable attorney's fees school-desegregation plaintiffs observed created "additional source Board's potential obligation pay attorneys' fees." 721, 2021.2 Just school board liable fees, employer notice—from damages racially termination. employer's stemmed very seek enforce. 32 Bowen, unanimously authorizing permit Secretary Health Human Services calculating hospitals' reimbursements services Medicare. turned analysis citing resorting presumptions dicta disfavored enactments administrative rules. 208, 471. consistent, Bennett Jersey, 470 632, 1555, 84 572 (1985), appraising "[p]ractical considerations," 640, 1560, counsel changes programs noting deprive recipients "fixed, predictable standards." Ibid. accords Bradley's concern preventing injustice result disturbance reliance. understood, establishes manifest injustice, stand corresponding doing cause avoid.3 33 Applying principles "[w]hen purports obviously frustrate concerning actions time." Gersman Group Ass'n, 975 886, 907 (CADC 1992) (dissenting opinion). undoubtedly expands prohibit illegal Patterson,4 present context both far concerned, differs little rights. believe faithful makes appropriate inquiry, reverse remand proceedings. syllabus constitutes prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 50 499. Petitioners' Labor Management Relations 1947, 61 157, 185(a), 1964, 78 253, 2000e seq., union. us. "Prohibition And Contracts," reads follows: "Section 1977 Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C.1981) — "(1) inserting '(a)' 'All within'; "(2) end subsections: "(b) section, relationship. "(c) protected impairment nongovernmental color State law." Prior amendment, provided: "All shall sue, parties, equal benefit security enjoyed citizens, punishment, pains, penalties, taxes, licenses, exactions kind, other." sometimes cited Statutes, forth McCrary, 168-170, 2593-2594, (1976). context, VII's, employees, 2000e(b), whereas limitation. ("Congress sought virtually Patterson"). frequently "responds" construing variety reasons. According commentator, 1967 legislature "overrode" average "ten per Congress." Eskridge, Overriding Statutory Interpretation Decisions, Yale L.J. 331, 338 (1991). Seldom ever responded single piece example, Senate Report passed stated: sharply effectiveness profoundly elsewhere. million employees firms harassment forms job. "Since announced, Statement Julius LeVonne Chambers, Director-Counsel, Legal Defense Educational Fund, Inc. (March 9, 1990). Many subjected blatant bigotry obtain relief. Committee finds compelling need ensure prohibits contracts." S.Rep. 315, 12-15 effects specific cases, reversed came down, 13-14, doubtless explains reopening judgments. 15(b)(3) (1990); finally suggest use word bespeaks might, construed criminal narrowly, broaden scope; preamble state originally situation, attempt circumvent Ex Post Facto Clause. Instead, "to restore" sensibly correct, on." suffer ambiguity, made pellucidly contemplated broader, "restoration." reveals instead "enlarge" Compare, 137 Cong.Rec. H9526 (Nov. 7, 1991) (remarks Rep. Edwards), H9543 Hyde). debate test specifically, "Bradley " "Bowen presumption, 1495-1497—to determine applicability various S15963 5, Sen. Kennedy) (citing test), S15483 (Oct. 30, Danforth) (favoring test). noted 1495-1496, controversial issue, falls short agreement subject. out See, Cooper North Olmsted, 795 1265, 1270, 1986); Leonard City Frankfort Elec. Water Plant 752 189, 195 1985). Mozee American Commercial Marine Service 963 929, 941 (CA7 (Cudahy, dissenting); 907-908 (CADC1992) (Wald, dissenting), cert. 92-1190. note, Vallejo, Black 541, 232 (1862). his Grier "agree confiscate fellow-citizens, who purchased improvements value millions, suspicions raised here integrity universally acknowledged genuine country originated." Black, 555-556 N. Singer, Sutherland Construction, 27.04, p. 472 (5th ed. ("The usual considers inaccurate. Where effect, prospective only"). When statute, will become effective. specified future But construes explaining continuously authority depart command setting accurate "changed" filed. system, always explained misinterpreted enacting Congress. Until citizens. ." source—in addition VII—for fail refuse hire individual, discriminate compensation, conditions, privileges employment, individual's color, religion, sex, national origin." 2000e-2(a)(1). An inquiry fairer sensitive mechanical reliance substance/procedure dichotomy. 906 940-941 denial rehearing). Not proscribed unlawful laws. unlike VII, small employers, outside

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