Supreme Court of the United States
Petty v. Tennessee-Missouri Bridge Commission
April 20, 1959359 U.S. 275
Summary
The Supreme Court reversed the lower courts, holding that the Tennessee‑Missouri Bridge Commission’s "sue and be sued" clause in the interstate compact, together with congressional consent, waives the Eleventh Amendment immunity of the two States, allowing the suit under the Jones Act to proceed in federal court. The Court based its decision on a federal‑law construction of the compact rather than on state law interpretations. A dissent argued that the waiver was not supported by the compact’s language or congressional intent.
Holding
- Whether the Tennessee‑Missouri Bridge Commission is immune from suit in federal court under the Eleventh Amendment. The Commission is not immune; the "sue and be sued" clause in the compact, when approved by Congress, waives the Eleventh Amendment immunity of the two States.
- Whether the "sue and be sued" provision in the compact waives Eleventh Amendment immunity. Yes; the provision, read in light of congressional consent, imposes a waiver of sovereign immunity for suits in federal court.
Docket 233
Cited authorities
- 33 U.S.C. § 525
- 63 Stat. 930
- 46 U.S.C. § 688
- 46 U.S.C. § 688
- 42 Stat. 174
- 41 Stat. 158
- 42 Stat. 1058
- 45 Stat. 120
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