No. 20-685

Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States, et al. v. Sierra Club, et al.

Lower Court: Ninth Circuit
Docketed: 2020-11-17
Status: GVR
Type: Paid
Amici (1) Experienced Counsel
Tags: 10-usc-2808 administrative-law appropriated-funds cause-of-action federal-funding military-construction national-emergencies-act section-2808 standing statutory-authority
Key Terms:
AdministrativeLaw Environmental Securities JusticiabilityDoctri
Latest Conference: 2021-09-27
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether respondents have a cognizable cause of action to obtain review of the Secretary's compliance with Section 2808 in reprioritizing appropriated but unobligated funds for the military construction projects being authorized

Question Presented (OCR Extract)

QUESTIONS PRESENTED If the President declares “a national emergency in accordance with the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) that requires use of the armed forces,” the Secretary of Defense has express statutory authority to “undertake military construction projects *** not otherwise authorized by law that are necessary to support such use of the armed forces.” 10 U.S.C. 2808(a). “Such projects may be undertaken only within the total amount of funds that have been appropriated for military construction, including funds appropriated for family housing, that have not been obligated.” Ibid. In 2019, following the President’s declaration of a national emergency requiring the use of the armed forces at the southern border, the then-Secretary of Defense authorized 11 military construction projects involving border barriers pursuant to Section 2808. The questions presented are as follows: 1. Whether respondents have a cognizable cause of action to obtain review of the Secretary’s compliance with Section 2808 in reprioritizing appropriated but unobligated funds for the military construction projects being authorized. 2. Whether the Secretary exceeded his statutory authority under Section 2808 in reprioritizing appropriated funds for the military construction projects being authorized. (I)

Docket Entries

2021-11-05
JUDGMENT ISSUED.
2021-10-04
Petition GRANTED. Judgment VACATED and case REMANDED with instructions to direct the District Court to vacate its judgments. The District Court should consider what further proceedings are necessary and appropriate in light of the changed circumstances in this case.
2021-08-04
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/27/2021.
2021-08-03
Reply of petitioners Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States, et al., et al. filed. (Distributed)
2021-07-19
Brief of respondents State of California, et al. in opposition filed.
2021-07-19
Brief of respondents Sierra Club, Southern Border Communities Coalition in opposition filed.
2021-05-07
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is further extended to and including July 19, 2021, for all respondents.
2021-05-06
Motion to extend the time to file a response from May 19, 2021 to July 18, 2021, submitted to The Clerk.
2021-02-10
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including May 19, 2021, for all respondents.
2021-02-09
Motion to extend the time to file a response from February 18, 2021 to May 19, 2021, submitted to The Clerk.
2021-01-08
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is further extended to and including February 18, 2021, for all respondents.
2021-01-07
Motion to extend the time to file a response from January 19, 2021 to February 18, 2021, submitted to The Clerk.
2020-12-17
Brief amicus curiae of Rep. Andy Barr filed.
2020-12-03
The motions to extend the time to file responses are granted and the time is extended to and including January 19, 2021, for all respondents.
2020-12-02
Motion of the State of California to extend the time to file a response from December 17, 2020 to January 19, 2021, submitted to The Clerk.
2020-12-02
Motion of the Sierra Club, et al. to extend the time to file a response from December 17, 2020 to January 19, 2021, submitted to The Clerk.
2020-11-17
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due December 17, 2020)

Attorneys

Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States, et al., et al.
Brian H. FletcherActing Solicitor General, Petitioner
Brian H. FletcherActing Solicitor General, Petitioner
Rep. Andy Barr
Lawrence J. JosephLaw Office of Lawrence J. Joseph, Amicus
Lawrence J. JosephLaw Office of Lawrence J. Joseph, Amicus
Sierra Club, Southern Border Communities Coalition
Dror LadinAmerican Civil Liberties Union Fundation, Respondent
Dror LadinAmerican Civil Liberties Union Fundation, Respondent
State of California
Joshua A. KleinCalifornia Department of Justice - Office of the Solicitor General, Respondent
Joshua A. KleinCalifornia Department of Justice - Office of the Solicitor General, Respondent