What law governs a federal court's implementation of a death sentence?

QUESTION PRESENTED Since the federal government resumed executions this year, after a 17-year hiatus, the Courts of Appeals have addressed challenges to federal methods and procedures. These challenges have alleged the federal government was obligated to apply various aspects of state methods while conducting execution procedures. These challenges were based on the Federal Death Penalty Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3596(a). This case presents a far more fundamental question: what law, if any, governs the federal courts themselves when implementing judgments imposing sentences of death. Below, Mr. Vialva contended federal law requires a district court to follow the material and applicable law of the state in which the court issuing the judgment sits. He maintained either the Federal Death Penalty Act or judicially created federal law dating back to the founding of the nation requires this. The Government disagreed. Without identifying what law applies, the Government contended the Attorney General simply has the power to execute any federally death-sentenced individual without any further involvement of the court. Thus, the questions presented are: 1. Does the Federal Death Penalty Act’s requirement of implementation in the manner prescribed by state law govern a federal district court’s implementation of its judgment imposing death? 2. If not, what law governs? ii