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Saenz v. Roe

United States Supreme Court
526 U.S. 489 (1999)

Facts

In 1992, the State of California passed a new statute which limited the maximum amount of welfare benefits available to a family residing in the state for less than twelve months to the amount payable by the state of the family’s prior residence. Roe (plaintiff) was a California resident seeking benefits who brought a class action suit against Saenz, Director of California’s Department of Social Services (defendant), on behalf of herself and other first-year state residents. The lower courts held for Roe, and the United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Stevens, J.)

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  • A “yes” or “no” answer to the question framed in the issue section;
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  • The procedural disposition (e.g. reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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Dissent (Rehnquist, C.J.)

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Dissent (Thomas, J.)

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