United States v. Washington
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in United States v. Washington and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of United States v. Washington.
In United States v. Washington, the Supreme Court addressed a Washington state law that applied workers' compensation rules specifically to federal contract workers at the Hanford site. The Court found that the law discriminated against the Federal Government and its contractors, violating the Supremacy Clause, as Congress had not clearly waived federal immunity from such discriminatory state laws.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in United States v. Washington.
The Court held that Washington's law facially discriminates against the Federal Government and its contractors, making it unconstitutional under the Supremacy Clause.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in United States v. Washington. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Preemption is relevant to United States v. Washington
The case centers on whether Washington's law is preempted by federal law under the Supremacy Clause.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Washington's law violates the Supremacy Clause unless Congress has consented to such regulation through waiver.
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Why State–Federal Power is relevant to United States v. Washington
The case involves the allocation of authority between state and federal governments, particularly regarding state laws that affect federal operations.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)This constitutional doctrine—often called the intergovernmental immunity doctrine—has evolved to bar state laws that either regulate the United States directly or discriminate against the Federal Government or its contractors.
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Why State Sovereign Immunity is relevant to United States v. Washington
The issue of whether Congress waived the federal government's immunity from state laws is central to the case.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Congress waives the Federal Government's immunity 'only when and to the extent there is a clear congressional mandate.'
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in United States v. Washington that support the summary and concepts above.
Washington's law facially discriminates against the Federal Government and its contractors.
Section 3172 does not clearly and unambiguously waive the Federal Government's immunity from discriminatory state laws.
The law explicitly treats federal workers differently than state or private workers.