United States v. Texas

Summary

The Supreme Court held that the Debt Collection Act of 1982 did not abrogate the United States’ federal common‑law right to collect prejudgment interest on debts owed by the States, reversing the Fifth Circuit’s contrary decision. The Court based its holding on a presumption that statutes do not repeal long‑standing common‑law principles unless they speak directly to the issue, and found the Act’s language silent on State obligations. Justice Stevens dissented, arguing that the Court created a new common‑law rule and misread legislative intent.