Reading Room Document

Congressional Limitations on Federal Court Jurisdiction

The document is a memorandum to the Attorney General discussing Congressional limitations on federal court jurisdiction. It includes a review of materials supplied by Senator Helms, which consists of legal arguments and court cases related to the issue. The conclusion reached is that the materials do not add anything beyond what has already been studied, and the core argument is that the Supreme Court could be stripped of all power to hear cases involving the Constitution of the United States and conflicts between state and federal laws. The document presents questions about the literal interpretation of the Exceptions Clause and the potential consequences of limiting the Supreme Court's jurisdiction.

July 13, 1981