United States v. Washington
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in United States v. Washington 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. Washington.
In United States v. Washington, the Supreme Court addressed a Washington state law that applied only to federal contract workers at a specific federal facility, making it easier for them to claim workers' compensation. The Court found this law to be unconstitutional under the Supremacy Clause as it discriminated against the Federal Government. The decision reversed the Ninth Circuit's affirmation of the law's constitutionality.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in United States v. Washington.
The Court held that Washington's law facially discriminates against the Federal Government and its contractors, violating the Supremacy Clause.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in United States v. Washington. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Preemption is relevant to United States v. Washington
The case involves the Supremacy Clause, which is central to the Court's holding that Washington's law is unconstitutional because it discriminates against the Federal Government.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Washington's law facially discriminates against the Federal Government and its contractors... Washington's law is unconstitutional under the Supremacy Clause.
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Why State–Federal Power is relevant to United States v. Washington
The case concerns the allocation of authority between state and federal governments, specifically regarding state laws that affect federal operations.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)This constitutional doctrine—often called the intergovernmental immunity doctrine—has evolved to bar state laws that either regulate the United States directly or discriminate against the Federal Government or its contractors.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in United States v. Washington that support the summary and concepts above.
Washington's law facially discriminates against the Federal Government and its contractors.
Section 3172 does not clearly and unambiguously waive the Federal Government's immunity from discriminatory state laws.
The law explicitly treats federal workers differently than state or private workers.
