United States v. Stitt
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in United States v. Stitt 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. Stitt.
The Supreme Court affirmed the decision that the ADEA's definition of 'employer' includes states and political subdivisions without a numerical employee threshold. The Court interpreted the phrase 'also means' in § 630(b) as additive, expanding the ADEA's reach. This interpretation aligns with the FLSA's treatment of states and political subdivisions.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in United States v. Stitt.
The Court held that the ADEA applies to states and political subdivisions regardless of their size.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in United States v. Stitt. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Commerce Clause is relevant to United States v. Stitt
The case involves the interpretation of the ADEA, which applies to persons engaged in an industry affecting commerce, implicating Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)persons engaged in an industry affecting commerce with 20 or more employees
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Why State–Federal Power is relevant to United States v. Stitt
The case discusses the application of federal law (ADEA) to states and political subdivisions, reflecting on the allocation of authority between state and federal governments.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Reading the ADEA's definitional provision, § 630(b), as written to apply to States and political subdivisions regardless of size
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in United States v. Stitt that support the summary and concepts above.
The words 'also means' in § 630(b) add new categories of employers to the ADEA's reach.
Reading the ADEA's definitional provision, § 630(b), as written to apply to States and political subdivisions regardless of size may give the ADEA a broader reach than Title VII.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has, for 30 years, interpreted the ADEA to cover political subdivisions regardless of size.
