Adopted Quote by Antonin Scalia
“Justice White's conclusion is perhaps correct, if one assumes that the task of a court of law is to plumb the intent of the particular Congress that enacted a particular provision. That methodology is not mine nor, I think, the one that courts have traditionally followed. It is our task, as I see it, not to enter the minds of the Members of Congress - who need have nothing in mind in order for their votes to be both lawful and effective - but rather to give fair and reasonable meaning to the text of the United States Code, adopted by various Congresses at various times.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Oral Argument, United States Supreme Court, 1994
The quote argues that judges should interpret statutes based on their text, not by trying to infer the legislators' intentions.
In simple terms: Interpret laws by their words, not lawmakers' minds.
Key Takeaway
Focus on statutory text.
Themes
legal interpretation
judicial philosophy
statutory construction
Mood
analytical
serious
Type
judicial
philosophical
When to use this quote
- court decisions
- law drafting
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
textualism
originalism
legislative intent
Questions to Reflect On
- How should courts handle ambiguous language?
- When is legislative intent essential?
A Different Perspective
Textual focus may overlook legislative purpose.
