Supreme Court of the United States

Barenblatt v. United States

June 8, 1959360 U.S. 109

Summary

The Supreme Court affirmed Barenblatt’s contempt of Congress conviction, holding that the House Un‑American Activities Committee’s subpoena authority under Rule XI was valid, the questions asked were pertinent to a legitimate legislative investigation of Communist infiltration in education, and the First Amendment was not violated. The Court’s decision was contested by two dissenting opinions that argued the Committee’s power was unconstitutionally vague and that the investigation served only exposure, not a legitimate legislative purpose.

Holding

  • Whether the House Un‑American Activities Committee’s Rule XI authorizes it to compel testimony from Barenblatt.. Yes; Rule XI validly authorizes the Committee to compel testimony in investigations authorized by Congress.
  • Whether the questions Barenblatt refused to answer were pertinent to the Committee’s investigation.. Yes; the questions were pertinent to the Committee’s inquiry into Communist infiltration of education.
  • Whether Barenblatt’s First Amendment rights were violated by the compelled testimony.. No; the governmental interest in investigating Communist infiltration outweighs Barenblatt’s First Amendment interests.
  • Whether the vagueness of Rule XI renders the contempt statute unconstitutional.. No; Rule XI is not unconstitutionally vague when read with its legislative history and application.

Docket 35

Cited authorities

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