United States v. Vaello Madero
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in United States v. Vaello Madero 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. Vaello Madero.
The Supreme Court addressed whether the exclusion of Puerto Rico from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program violated the equal-protection component of the Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause. The Court concluded that Congress's decision to exclude Puerto Rico from the SSI program was constitutional, as it had a rational basis related to Puerto Rico's tax status. The decision reversed the lower courts' rulings that had found the exclusion unconstitutional.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in United States v. Vaello Madero.
The Court held that the Constitution does not require Congress to extend SSI benefits to residents of Puerto Rico.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in United States v. Vaello Madero. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Equal Protection is relevant to United States v. Vaello Madero
The case directly addresses whether the exclusion of Puerto Rico from the SSI program violates the equal-protection component of the Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The question presented is whether the equal-protection component of the Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause requires Congress to make Supplemental Security Income benefits available to residents of Puerto Rico to the same extent that Congress makes those benefits available to residents of the States.
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Why Substantive Due Process is relevant to United States v. Vaello Madero
The case involves the substantive due process aspect of the Fifth Amendment, as it examines the rights of individuals in Puerto Rico under the Due Process Clause.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Vaello Madero invoked the U.S. Constitution, arguing that Congress's exclusion of residents of Puerto Rico from the SSI program violated the equal-protection component of the Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause.
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Why Spending Power is relevant to United States v. Vaello Madero
The case involves Congress's authority to determine the allocation of federal benefits, which is related to its spending power.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The Constitution affords Congress substantial discretion over how to structure federal tax and benefits programs for residents of the Territories.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in United States v. Vaello Madero that support the summary and concepts above.
The Constitution does not require Congress to extend SSI benefits to residents of Puerto Rico.
Congress's decision to exempt Puerto Rico's residents from most federal income, gift, estate, and excise taxes supplies a rational basis for likewise distinguishing residents of Puerto Rico from residents of the States for purposes of the SSI benefits program.
Vaello Madero's contrary position would usher in potentially far-reaching consequences, with serious implications for the Puerto Rican people and the Puerto Rican economy.
