When You Can't Sue the State: State Sovereign Immunity

Thursday, June 1, 2000

In five decisions dating from 1996, the same five-person majority of the US Supreme Court has progressively insulated states against suits by citizens seeking remedies for violation of their federally guaranteed statutory rights. What is the reasoning behind the Court's rulings, and how do the decisions affect major federal legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act?

Citation: 
Brown-Graham, Anita R. "When You Can't Sue the State: State Sovereign Immunity." Popular Government 65, no. 4 (Summer 2000): 2-14.
Download (pdf, 394.90 KB)