Skip to content

Cable, Telecommunications, and Technology Committee v. FCC

Consolidated with:

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
11-1547 5th Cir. Jan 16, 2013 May 20, 2013 6-3 Scalia OT 2012

Holding: Courts must apply the Chevron framework to an agency"s interpretation of a statutory ambiguity that concerns the scope of the agency"s statutory authority ( i.e., its jurisdiction).

Judgment: Affirmed, 6-3, in an opinion by Justice Scalia on May 20, 2013. Justice Breyer filed an opinion concurring in part and concurring in the judgment. Chief Justice Roberts filed a dissenting opinion in which Justice Kennedy and Justice Alito joined.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
06/22/2012Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due July 30, 2012)
07/24/2012Order extending time to file response to petition to and including August 29, 2012, for all respondents.
08/28/2012Brief of respondents CTIA - THe Wireless Association, et al. in opposition filed. VIDED.
08/29/2012Brief of respondents Federal Communications Commission, et al. in opposition filed. VIDED.
09/12/2012DISTRIBUTED for Conference of October 5, 2012.
10/05/2012Petition GRANTED limited Question 1 presented by the petition in No. 11-1545. The petition for a writ of certiorari in No. 11-1545 is granted. The cases are consolidated and a total of one hour is allotted for oral argument.
10/31/2012SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Wednesday, January 16, 2013.
10/31/2012Consent to the filing of amicus cuirae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for respondents CTIA-Wireless and Verizon Wireless. VIDED
11/08/2012Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for petitioners City of Arlington, et al. VIDED.
11/15/2012Motion to dispense with printing the joint appendix filed by petitioners City of Arlington, Texas, et al. VIDED.
11/19/2012Brief of respondents International Municipal Lawyers Association, et al. in support of petitioners filed. VIDED.
11/19/2012Brief of petitioner Cable, Telecommunications, and Technology Committee of the New Orleans City Council filed.
11/20/2012Record received from U.S.C.A. for 5th Circuit. (1 box)
11/21/2012Brief amici curiae of American Farm Bureau Federation, et al. filed. VIDED.
11/21/2012Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the petitioner. VIDED.
11/26/2012Brief amicus curiae of Southern Company filed. VIDED. (Distributed)
11/26/2012Brief amici curiae of National Water Resources Association, et al. filed. VIDED. (Distributed)
11/26/2012Brief amici curiae of Cato Institute, et al. filed. VIDED. (Distributed)
11/26/2012Brief amici curiae of National Governors Association, et al. filed. VIDED. (Distributed)
11/27/2012CIRCULATED
12/03/2012Motion to dispense with printing the joint appendix filed by petitioners GRANTED.
12/03/2012Motion for divided argument filed by respondent Cello Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless. VIDED.
12/12/2012Brief of respondent Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless filed. VIDED. (Distributed)
12/19/2012Brief of respondents Federal Communications Commission, et al. filed. VIDED.
12/19/2012Brief amici curiae of AT&T Services, Inc., et al. filed. (Distributed) VIDED.
12/21/2012Brief amici curiae of T-Mobile USA, Inc., et al. filed. VIDED. (Distributed)
12/26/2012Motion for divided argument filed by petitioner Cable, Telecommunications, and Technology Committee of the New Orleans City Council. VIDED.
12/26/2012Brief amicus curiae of PCIA - The Wireless Infrastructure Association filed. VIDED. (Distributed)
01/04/2013Motion for divided argument filed by respondent Cello Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless DENIED. VIDED.
01/04/2013Motion for divided argument filed by petitioner DENIED. VIDED.
01/08/2013Reply of petitioners City of Arlington, Texas, et al. filed. VIDED. (Distributed)
01/08/2013Reply of petitioner Cable, Telecommunications, and Technology Committee of the New Orleans City Council filed. (Distributed)
01/09/2013Reply of respondents International Municipal Lawyers Association, et al. in support of petitioners filed. VIDED. (Distributed)
01/10/2013Motion for leave to file a reply brief on the merits filed by EMR Policy Institute. VIDED.
01/16/2013Argued. For petitioners: Thomas C. Goldstein, Washington, D. C. For respondents: Donald B. Verrilli, Jr., Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C.
01/22/2013Motion for leave to file a reply brief on the merits DENIED.
05/20/2013Adjudged to be AFFIRMED. Scalia, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Thomas, Ginsburg, Sotomayor, and Kagan, JJ., joined. Breyer, J., filed an opinion concurring in part and concurring in the judgment. Roberts, C. J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Kennedy and Alito, JJ., joined.
06/21/2013JUDGMENT ISSUED.
06/27/2013Record returned to U.S.C.A. for 5th Circuit.

Disclosure: Goldstein & Russell, P.C., whose attorneys work for or contribute to this blog in various capacities, serves as co-counsel to the petitioners in these cases.

 

Holding: Courts must apply the”Chevron“framework to an agency”s interpretation of a statutory ambiguity that concerns the scope of the agency”s statutory authority ( i.e., its jurisdiction).

 

Judgment:”Affirmed, 6-3, in an opinion by Justice Scalia on May 20, 2013. Justice Breyer filed an opinion concurring in part and concurring in the judgment. Chief Justice Roberts filed a dissenting opinion in which Justice Kennedy and Justice Alito joined.