tennessee student assistance corporation hood argued march decided may respondent hood outstanding balance student loans guaranteed petitioner tennessee student assistance corporation tsac state entity time filed chapter bankruptcy petition hood general discharge cover student loans list dischargeable bankruptcy determines excepting debt order undue hardship debtor hood subsequently reopened petition seeking undue hardship determination prescribed federal rules bankruptcy procedure filed complaint later amended complaint served summons tsac others bankruptcy denied tsac motion dismiss complaint lack jurisdiction holding abrogated state eleventh amendment sovereign immunity sixth circuit bankruptcy appellate panel affirmed sixth circuit held bankruptcy clause gave congress authority abrogate state sovereign immunity granted certiorari determine whether bankruptcy clause grants congress authority held bankruptcy discharge student loan debt implicate state eleventh amendment immunity reach question certiorari granted pp may bound judicial actions without consent example eleventh amendment bar federal jurisdiction rem admiralty actions state possess res california deep sea research debt discharge bankruptcy similarly rem proceeding exclusive jurisdiction debtor property wherever located estate debts discharged creditor submit proof claim unable collect unsecured loans bankruptcy able provide debtor fresh start even creditors participate jurisdiction premised debtor estate creditors jurisdiction premised res however nonparticipating creditor personally liable whether choose participate proceeding bound bankruptcy discharge order less creditors see new york irving trust bankruptcy jurisdiction res unquestioned exercise rem jurisdiction discharge debt infringe state sovereignty tsac argues however individualized process student loan debts discharged unconstitutionally infringes sovereignty debtor affirmatively secure undue hardship determination choosing submit jurisdiction might receive benefit debtor personal liability loan may survive discharge tsac misunderstands proceeding fundamental nature claims congress making student loan debt presumptively nondischargeable singling individualized determination authorized suit state bankruptcy jurisdiction premised res persona granted presumptive benefit nondischargeability alter underlying authority debtor seek damages affirmative relief state subject unwilling state coercive judicial process seeking discharge debts indeed endorsed individual determinations interests within federal courts rem jurisdiction deep sea research supra although bankruptcy admiralty specialized areas law reason exercise federal courts rem bankruptcy jurisdiction threatening state sovereignty exercise rem admiralty jurisdiction pp regard procedure used case bankruptcy rules require debtor file adversary proceeding state discharge student loan debts part original bankruptcy case within bankruptcy rem jurisdiction requires service summons complaint see rules issuance process normally indignity state sovereignty purpose establish personal jurisdiction rem jurisdiction allows adjudicate debtors discharge claim without personam jurisdiction state section require summons absent rule debtor proceed motion raise constitutional concern reason service summons case indistinguishable practical effect motion given dispositive weight dismissal complaint appropriate rem jurisdiction attempted adjudicate claims outside jurisdiction case unlike adversary proceeding bankruptcy trustee seeking recover property state hands grounds transfer voidable preference even hold congress lacked ability abrogate state sovereign immunity bankruptcy clause bankruptcy still authority make undue hardship determination hood seeks thus declines decide whether bankruptcy exercise personal jurisdiction state valid eleventh amendment bankruptcy remand exceeds rem jurisdiction tsac free challenge authority pp affirmed remanded rehnquist delivered opinion stevens kennedy souter ginsburg breyer joined souter filed concurring opinion ginsburg joined thomas filed dissenting opinion scalia joined tennessee student assistance corporation petitioner pamela hood writ certiorari appeals sixth circuit may chief justice rehnquist delivered opinion article cl constitution provides congress shall power establish uniform laws subject bankruptcies throughout granted certiorari determine whether clause grants congress authority abrogate state sovereign immunity private suits conclude proceeding initiated debtor determine dischargeability student loan debt suit state purposes eleventh amendment affirm appeals judgment reach question certiorari granted petitioner tennessee student assistance corporation tsac governmental corporation created tennessee legislature administer student assistance programs code ann tsac guarantees student loans made residents tennessee nonresidents either enrolled eligible school tennessee make loans approved tennessee lender july february respondent pamela hood resident tennessee signed promissory notes educational loans guaranteed tsac february hood filed asset chapter bankruptcy petition bankruptcy western district tennessee time filing student loans outstanding balance tsac participate proceeding sallie mae service sallie mae submitted proof claim bankruptcy subsequently assigned bankruptcy granted hood general discharge june see hood list student loans bankruptcy proceeding general discharge cover see providing discharge discharges debtor prepetition debts except listed providing student loans guaranteed governmental units included general discharge order unless bankruptcy determines excepting debt order impose undue hardship debtor september hood reopened bankruptcy petition limited purpose seeking determination bankruptcy student loans dischargeable undue hardship pursuant prescribed federal rules bankruptcy procedure hood filed complaint america department education sallie mae see fed rules bkrtcy proc later filed amended complaint included tsac university account services additional defendants deleted sallie mae complaint amended complaint served along summons named parties see rule response tsac filed motion dismiss complaint lack jurisdiction asserting eleventh amendment sovereign bankruptcy denied motion holding valid abrogation tsac sovereign immunity app pet cert tsac took interlocutory appeal see puerto rico aqueduct sewer authority metcalf eddy unanimous bankruptcy appellate panel sixth circuit affirmed tsac appealed panel decision appeals sixth circuit affirmed holding ceded immunity private suits bankruptcy constitutional convention therefore bankruptcy clause art cl provided congress necessary authority abrogate state sovereign immunity one judge concurred judgment concluding tsac waived sovereign immunity accepted sallie mae proof granted certiorari affirm judgment appeals hold bankruptcy discharge student loan debt implicate state eleventh amendment immunity reach broader question addressed appeals ii terms eleventh amendment precludes suits law equity commenced prosecuted one citizens another state citizens subjects foreign state century however recognized sovereign immunity limited literal terms eleventh amendment see hans louisiana although text amendment refers suits state citizens another state repeatedly held unconsenting state also immune suits citizens see duhne new jersey great northern life ins read employees dept public health welfare mo department public health welfare edelman jordan seminole tribe florida nonetheless may still bound judicial actions without consent california deep sea research held eleventh amendment bar federal jurisdiction rem admiralty actions state possession property case private corporation located historic shipwreck brother jonathan california territorial waters corporation filed rem action federal seeking rights wreck cargo state california intervened arguing possessed title wreck sovereign immunity precluded adjudicating rights acknowledging eleventh amendment might constrain federal courts admiralty jurisdiction instances citing ex parte new york new york ex parte new york new york ii florida dept state treasure salvors held sovereign immunity prohibit rem admiralty actions state possess res discharge debt bankruptcy similarly rem proceeding see gardner new jersey straton new hanover nat bank moyses new lamp chimney ansonia brass copper bankruptcy courts exclusive jurisdiction debtor property wherever located estate see typical voluntary bankruptcy proceeding chapter debtor files petition bankruptcy lists debts creditors fed rule bkrtcy proc petition constitutes order relief clerk notifies debtor creditors order relief see rule creditor wishes participate debtor assets files proof claim rule see creditor chooses submit proof claim debts discharged creditor unable collect unsecured loans rule see discharge order releases debtor personal liability respect discharged debt voiding past future judgments debt operating injunction prohibit creditors attempting collect recover debt norton bankruptcy law practice hereinafter norton bankruptcy able provide debtor fresh start manner despite lack participation creditors jurisdiction premised debtor estate creditors collins federal jurisdiction dischargeability debt derives jurisdiction state creditors rather jurisdiction debtors estates internal quotation marks citation omitted see also gardner supra ellett texas walker bankruptcy rem jurisdiction permits determin claims anyone whether named action property thing question proceeding world moore et moore federal practice ed jurisdiction premised res however nonparticipating creditor subjected personal liability see freeman alderson citing cooper reynolds wall longstanding precedent whether choose participate proceeding bound bankruptcy discharge order less creditors new york irving trust sustained order bankruptcy barred state new york tax claim filed within time fixed filing claims held state desires participate assets bankrupt must submit appropriate requirements see also gardner supra holding state waives sovereign immunity filing proof claim van huffel harkelrode held bankruptcy authority sell debtor property free clear state tax lien least bankruptcy jurisdiction res unquestioned cf nordic village cases indicate exercise rem jurisdiction discharge debt infringe state cf hoffman connecticut dept income maintenance plurality opinion applying eleventh amendment analysis bankruptcy sought issue money judgment nonconsenting state tsac concedes generally bound bankruptcy discharge order see tr oral arg argues particular process student loan debts discharged unconstitutionally infringes sovereignty student loans used presumptively discharged general discharge congress provided significant benefit making difficult debtors discharge student loan debts guaranteed education amendments stat codified ed repealed pub stat benefit currently governed provides student loan debts guaranteed governmental units included general discharge order unless excepting debt order impose undue hardship debtor see also providing discharge discharges debtor prepetition debts except listed section norton see also unless debtor affirmatively secures hardship determination discharge order include student loan debt norton thus major difference discharge student loan debt discharge debts governmental creditors including choose submit jurisdiction might still receive benefit debtor personal liability loan may survive discharge change tsac contends infringes state sovereignty tr oral arg making student loan debt presumptively nondischargeable singling individualized adjudication tsac argues congress authorized suit state tsac misunderstands fundamental nature proceeding matter difficult congress decided make discharge student loan debt bankruptcy jurisdiction premised res persona granted presumptive benefit nondischargeability alter underlying authority debtor seek monetary damages affirmative relief state seeking discharge debt subject unwilling state coercive judicial process seeks discharge debts indeed previously endorsed individualized determinations interests within federal courts rem jurisdiction van huffel affirmed bankruptcy courts power sell property free incumbrances including liens approvingly noted courts chosen specifically discharge liens taxes also involved individualized rem adjudication state claimed interest rem admiralty cases involving sovereigns davis siren wall pesaro although bankruptcy admiralty specialized areas law see reason exercise federal courts rem bankruptcy jurisdiction threatening state sovereignty exercise rem admiralty jurisdiction find authority fine suggests bankruptcy exercise rem jurisdiction discharge student loan debt infringe state sovereignty manner suggested tsac thus hold undue hardship determination sought hood case suit state purposes eleventh iii lastly deal procedure used case creditors generally entitled personal service bankruptcy may discharge debt hanover nat bank student loan debts automatically dischargeable however federal rules bankruptcy procedure provide creditors greater procedural protection see fed rules bkrtcy proc current bankruptcy rules require debtor file adversary proceeding state order discharge student loan debt proceeding considered part original bankruptcy case see collier bankruptcy ed rev still within bankruptcy rem jurisdiction discussed prescribed rules adversary proceeding requires service summons complaint rules adversary proceeding similarities traditional civil trial justice thomas contends bankruptcy make undue hardship determination without infringing tsac sovereignty federal maritime south carolina ports authority see post federal maritime held eleventh amendment precluded private party haling unconsenting state proceeding federal maritime commission fmc noted applied presumption since hans louisiana constitution intended proceedings unheard constitution adopted agency adjudications unheard time founding determine whether fmc proceeding type proceedin framers thought possessed immunity agreed enter union noting substantial similarities proceeding fmc one article iii concluded hans presumption applied see eleventh amendment therefore precluded private suits forum case however need engage comparative analysis determine whether adjudication affront sovereignty noted long held bankruptcy courts exercise rem jurisdiction offense supra dispute bankruptcy exercise personal jurisdiction tsac adjudication implicate eleventh amendment precedent drawn distinction rem personam jurisdiction even underlying proceedings part identical thus whether rem adjudication bankruptcy similar civil litigation district irrelevant justice thomas interpretation federal maritime adopted deep sea research van huffle irving trust involved proceedings resembling traditional civil adjudications likely overruled willing take step issuance process nonetheless normally indignity sovereignty state purpose establish personal jurisdiction state noted seminole tribe eleventh amendment exist solely order prevent judgments must paid state treasury also serves avoid indignity subjecting state coercive process judicial tribunals instance private parties citations internal quotation marks omitted however bankruptcy rem jurisdiction allows adjudicate debtor discharge claim without personam jurisdiction state see wright miller federal practice procedure pp ed noting jurisdiction person irrelevant jurisdiction property hood argue exercise personal jurisdiction wants determination dischargeability debt text require summons absent rule debtor proceed motion see rule contested matter otherwise governed rules relief shall requested motion raise constitutional concern hood concedes even tsac ignores summons chooses participate proceeding bankruptcy discharge debt without making undue hardship determination tr oral arg see reason service summons case indistinguishable practical effect motion given dispositive weight said idaho coeur tribe idaho real interests served eleventh amendment sacrificed elementary mechanics captions pleading see new york suit state determined mere names titular parties essential nature effect proceeding appears entire record conclude issuance summons required rules precludes hood exercising statutory right undue hardship determination give rules impermissible effect bankruptcy rules shall abridge enlarge modify substantive right reason take step tsac sought dismiss complaint lack jurisdiction bankruptcy motion dismiss complaint lack jurisdiction bkrtcy wd pp clearly dismissal complaint appropriate rem jurisdiction matter attempted adjudicate claims outside jurisdiction case us thus unlike adversary proceeding bankruptcy trustee seeking recover property hands state grounds transfer voidable preference even hold congress lacked ability abrogate state sovereign immunity bankruptcy clause tsac urges us bankruptcy still authority make undue hardship determination sought hood therefore decline decide whether bankruptcy exercise personal jurisdiction state valid eleventh amendment see liverpool new york philadelphia commissioners emigration bound never anticipate question constitutional law advance necessity deciding bankruptcy remand exceeds rem jurisdiction tsac course free challenge authority point however constitutional concern merely hypothetical judgment appeals sixth circuit affirmed case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered tennessee student assistance corporation petitioner pamela hood writ certiorari appeals sixth circuit may justice souter justice ginsburg joins concurring join opinion save implicit approval holding seminole tribe florida tennessee student assistance corporation petitioner pamela hood writ certiorari appeals sixth circuit may justice thomas justice scalia joins dissenting granted certiorari case decide whether congress authority abrogate state sovereign immunity bankruptcy clause instead answering question addresses difficult one regarding extent bankruptcy exercise rem jurisdiction offend sovereignty recognize concludes today rem nature bankruptcy proceedings might affect ability debtor obtain motion bankruptcy determination affects rights reach difficult question even bankruptcy exercised rem jurisdiction make undue hardship determination motion ignore fact determination case sought pursuant adversary proceeding federal maritime south carolina ports authority adversary proceeding clearly constitutes suit state sovereign immunity purposes thus reach easier question presented conclude congress lacks authority abrogate state sovereign immunity bankruptcy clause avoids addressing respondent principal argument basis appeals decision granted certiorari order address namely congress possesses power bankruptcy clause abrogate state sovereign immunity suit instead affirms judgment appeals based respondent alternative argument ante bankruptcy decision appropriate exercise rem jurisdiction brief respondent although respondent advanced argument proceedings bankruptcy appellate panel sixth circuit brief appellee declined appeals indeed respondent relied entirely congress ability abrogate state sovereign immunity bankruptcy clause rather rem theory reading missouri fiske rem exception state eleventh amendment immunity bankruptcy brief appellee furthermore respondent raise rem argument brief opposition rule may deem argument waived caterpillar lewis argument irrelevant case rem question complex uncertain see baldwin reese federal maritime south carolina maritime services scms filed complaint federal maritime commission fmc independent agency alleging port violated shipping act app et seq assumed without deciding fmc exercise judicial power federal maritime nonetheless held state sovereign immunity barred adjudication scms complaint federal maritime turned overwhelming similarities fmc proceedings civil litigation federal courts example fmc rules governing pleadings discovery similar analogous federal rules civil procedure moreover noted role administrative law judge impartial officer designated hear case similar article iii judge citation omitted based similarities held purposes state sovereign immunity adjudication fmc indistinguishable adjudication article iii tribunal see thus federal maritime recognized framers found impermissible affront state dignity required answer complaints private parties federal courts framers found equally impermissible compel simply adjudication takes place article rather article iii ibid although ignores federal maritime altogether reasoning applies case similarities adversary proceedings bankruptcy federal civil litigation striking indeed federal rules civil procedure govern adversary proceedings substantial part proceedings commenced filing complaint fed rule bkrtcy proc process served rule opposing party required file answer rule opposing party file counterclaims movant rule federal rule civil procedure applies parties pleadings fed rule bkrtcy proc even form parties pleadings must comply federal rules civil litigation rule likewise discovery adversary proceedings largely mirrors discovery federal civil litigation federal maritime supra see fed rules bkrtcy proc applying fed rules civ proc adversary proceedings party fails answer appear adversary proceeding federal rule governing default judgments applies fed rule bkrtcy adopting fed rule civ proc spite similarities concludes bankruptcy jurisdiction premised res issuance process case opposed others subject unwilling state coercive judicial process ante also views adversary proceeding case differently typical adversary proceeding absent fed rule bkrtcy proc concludes debtor obtain undue hardship determination motion consistent bankruptcy rem jurisdiction consistent constitution see ante critically however fails explain simply asserts determination made motion adversary proceeding utilized case somehow less offensive state sovereignty object purpose amendment prevent indignity subjecting state coercive process judicial tribunals instance private parties ayers federal maritime supra alden maine seminole tribe florida fact alternative proceeding exists use might offensive state sovereignty irrelevant whether particular proceeding actually used subjects particular state indignities coercive process indeed dissent federal maritime much like today focused fact fmc required statute evaluate complaints agency adjudication opinion breyer opted evaluate complaints manner fact bearing decision case control simply ignore fact respondent filed complaint bankruptcy pray ing proper process issue upon hearing upon merits issue judgment respondent petitioner allowing respondent debt discharged complaint hardship discharge adversary bkrtcy wd importantly although adversary proceeding case require state defend petitioner ordinary sense effect whether done adversary proceeding motion whether proceeding personam rem order preserve rights state compelled either subject bankruptcy jurisdiction forfeit rights whatever nature bankruptcy jurisdiction maintains least much control nonconsenting fmc lacks power enforce orders federal maritime rejected view fmc lack enforcement power means parties coerced participate proceedings effect state must submit adjudication compromise ability defend later proceedings state oppose debtor claim undue hardship bankruptcy authorized enter default judgment without making undue hardship determination see fed rules bkrtcy proc adopting fed rule civ proc adversary proceedings contested matters governed motion apparently concludes otherwise tellingly support questionable proposition statement made oral argument see ante explain part infra contest assertion bankruptcy like admiralty might limited rem exception state sovereign immunity suit necessarily reject argument proceeding resolved motion without offending dignity state however case proceed motion resolve merits based solely upon might occur therefore hold adversary proceeding case constituted suit state sovereign immunity purposes difficulty complexity question scope bankruptcy rem jurisdiction relates state interests reason address question without complete briefing full consideration appeals relying recent recognition limited rem exception state sovereign immunity certain admiralty actions see california deep sea research recognizes may still bound judicial actions without consent ante acknowledges undisputed fact bankruptcy discharge proceedings rem proceedings ante facts however standing alone compel conclusion rem exception extend case deep sea research supra make clear extent rem exception admiralty much less potential application bankruptcy recognition rem exception state sovereign immunity admiralty actions informed part justice story understanding difference admiralty actions regular civil litigation justice story doubted whether eleventh amendment extended admiralty maritime suits admiralty jurisdiction federal founded upon possession thing state interpose claim property act merely character defendant actor commentaries constitution ed justice story supported view contrasting suits law equity suits admiralty received separate grant jurisdiction article iii however since adopted narrow understanding rem maritime exception see ex parte new york admiralty maritime jurisdiction exempt operation rule state may sued without consent thus holding deep sea research limited actions res within state possession whatever scope rem exception admiralty cases reveal clear principle govern bankruptcy suits exempt eleventh amendment bar fiske stated uncertain terms fact suit federal rem quasi rem furnishes ground issue process state contends fiske supports argument noted state might still bound federal adjudication even injunction issue ante fiske also suggested state might bound federal adjudication weighty proposition given circumstances case fiske part involved validity federal decree entered determined sophie franz life interest certain shares stock previously held deceased husband franz died franz executor inventory shares federal decree declared franz life interest dispute arose state sought inventory shares assets franz estate collect inheritance taxes shares although fiske decide whether federal decree binding state mere suggestion state might bound decree party rem proceeding interest see least leaves doubt extent rem exception bankruptcy recent decision nordic village casts doubt upon characterization rem exception bankruptcy nordic village explicitly recognized never applied rem exception bar monetary recovery suggested exception exists although nordic village involved sovereign immunity federal government also supports argument rem exception exists types relief state nordic village interpreted waive claims declaratory injunctive though monetary relief government sure previously held state bound bankruptcy adjudication affects state interest see new york irving trust van huffel harkelrode neither cases attempt undertake sovereign immunity analysis irving trust instance rested congress power establish uniform laws subject bankruptcies need orderly expeditious proceedings van huffel appeared rest decision requirements bankruptcy administration effect rem nature proceedings state sovereign immunity perhaps recognizing precedents support weight reasoning attempts limit holding explicitly declining find rem exception every exercise bankruptcy rem jurisdiction might offend state sovereignty ante find principle opinion distinguish case reason undertake complicated inquiry ii congress made intent abrogate state sovereign immunity bankruptcy clause clear see question whether bankruptcy clause grants congress power repeatedly stated congress may base abrogation eleventh amendment immunity upon powers enumerated article board trustees univ garrett see also kimel florida bd regents congress powers article constitution include power subject suit hands private individuals florida prepaid postsecondary ed expense bd college savings bank seminole tribe makes clear congress may abrogate state sovereign immunity pursuant article powers despite clarity statements appeals held bankruptcy clause operates differently congress article powers uniformity requirement discussions congress inability abrogate state sovereign immunity use article powers reveal limitation therefore reverse judgment appeals foregoing reasons respectfully dissent footnotes sallie mae original holder hood student loan debt november sallie mae signed assignment proof claim transferring debt tsac actual proof claim filed sallie mae bankruptcy november one month later december assignment proof claim filed hood dispute tsac considered state purposes eleventh amendment hood argue tsac waived sovereign immunity pass judgment question missouri fiske contrary case private individuals sought enjoin state missouri prosecuting probate proceedings state contending federal district made final determination ownership contested stock held eleventh amendment prevented federal courts entertaining suit federal authority issue process state compel subject judgment although discharge order bankruptcy code operates injunction creditors commence continue action debtor personam recover collect discharged debt enforcement injunction state federal us extent fiske relevant present context supports conclusion discharge order binding state noted state might still bound federal adjudication even injunction issue unlikely sub silentio overruled holdings irving trust van huffel fiske justice thomas implies see post dissenting opinion fiske decided year irving trust say bankruptcy rem jurisdiction overrides sovereign immunity nordic village justice thomas characterizes opinion post rather exercise rem jurisdiction discharge student loan debt affront sovereignty state hold every exercise bankruptcy rem jurisdiction offend sovereignty state concerns present address footnotes gardner new jersey also aid argument although gardner held reorganization entertain objections state asserted claim also held state waived immunity filing proof claim thus obviating need consider sovereign immunity question context rem proceedings