General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc. v. Cline

Summary

The Court held that the Age Discrimination in Employment Act does not prohibit favoring older employees over younger employees, even when both groups are within the Act's protected age range. The statutory text, understood in context and together with the Act's structure, purpose, and history, protects against discrimination disadvantaging relatively older workers. The Court also rejected the EEOC's contrary interpretation without deciding which level of administrative deference otherwise applied, because ordinary statutory interpretation resolved the question. Justice Scalia dissented alone, concluding that the EEOC's interpretation was reasonable and deserved deference. Justice Thomas, joined by Justice Kennedy, separately dissented, arguing that the statutory language prohibited discrimination against younger protected workers and criticizing the majority's reliance on social history.