davis passman argued february decided june petitioner brought suit federal district alleging respondent congressman time case commenced discriminated petitioner basis sex violation fifth amendment terminating employment deputy administrative assistant petitioner sought damages form backpay jurisdiction founded provisions confer original jurisdiction federal district courts civil actions wherein matter controversy exceeds sum value arises federal constitution district ruled petitioner private right action appeals ultimately held right action may implied due process clause fifth amendment held cause action damages remedy implied directly constitution due process clause fifth amendment violated cf bivens six unknown fed narcotics agents butz economou pp equal protection component fifth amendment due process clause confers petitioner federal constitutional right free gender discrimination serve important governmental objectives substantially related achievement objectives pp term cause action used case refers whether plaintiff member class litigants may matter law appropriately invoke power since petitioner rests claim directly due process clause fifth amendment claiming rights amendment violated effective means judiciary vindicate rights appropriate party invoke district general jurisdiction seek relief therefore cause action fifth amendment appeals erred using criteria cort ash conclude petitioner lacked cause action since question may enforce statutory right fundamentally different question may enforce right protected constitution pp petitioner able redress injury damages able prevail merits damages remedy appropriate since remedial mechanism normally available federal courts bivens supra since judicially manageable without difficult questions valuation causation since available alternative forms relief moreover respondent actions shielded speech debate clause principle legislators generally bound law ordinary persons applies explicit congressional declaration persons petitioner position injured unconstitutional federal employment discrimination may recover money damages responsible injury ibid afford petitioner damages remedy mean federal courts deluged claims appeals feared moreover current limitations upon effective functioning courts arising budgetary inadequacies permitted stand way recognition otherwise sound constitutional principles pp brennan delivered opinion white marshall blackmun stevens joined burger filed dissenting opinion powell rehnquist joined post stewart filed dissenting opinion rehnquist joined post powell filed dissenting opinion burger rehnquist joined post sana shtasel argued cause pro hac vice petitioner briefs peter barton hutt jeffrey berlin richard gear argued cause filed brief respondent briefs amici curiae urging reversal filed burt neuborne bruce ennis american civil liberties union albert beveridge iii harold himmelman roderic boggs morris udall et al justice brennan delivered opinion bivens six unknown fed narcotics agents held cause action damages arises constitution fourth amendment rights violated issue presented decision case whether cause action damages remedy also implied directly constitution due process clause fifth amendment violated appeals fifth circuit en banc concluded civil action damages thus implied granted certiorari reverse time case commenced respondent otto passman congressman fifth congressional district louisiana february passman hired petitioner shirley davis deputy administrative assistant passman subsequently terminated employment effective july writing davis although able energetic hard worker concluded essential understudy administrative assistant man app davis brought suit district western district louisiana alleging passman conduct discriminated basis sex violation constitution fifth amendment thereto davis sought damages form backpay jurisdiction suit founded provides pertinent part federal district courts shall original jurisdiction civil actions wherein matter controversy exceeds sum value arises constitution passman moved dismiss davis action failure state claim upon relief granted fed rule civ proc arguing inter alia law affords private right action claim app district accepted argument ruling davis private right action panel appeals fifth circuit reversed panel concluded cause action damages arose directly fifth amendment taking true allegations davis complaint passman conduct violated fifth amendment passman conduct shielded speech debate clause constitution art cl appeals fifth circuit sitting en banc reversed decision panel en banc reach merits discuss application speech debate clause instead held right action may implied due process clause fifth amendment reached conclusion basis criteria set cort ash determining whether private cause action implied federal statute noting congress failed create damages remedy davis position also concluded proposed damage remedy constitutionally compelled necessary countermand clearly discernible congress create remedy ii bivens six unknown fed narcotics agents federal agents allegedly arrested searched bivens without probable cause thereby subjecting great humiliation embarrassment mental suffering bivens held fourth amendment guarantee unreasonable searches seizures constitutional right bivens enforce private cause action damages remedy appropriate form redress last term butz economou reaffirmed holding stating decision bivens established citizen suffering compensable injury constitutionally protected interest invoke general jurisdiction district courts obtain award monetary damages responsible federal official today hold bivens butz require reversal holding en banc appeals inquiry proceeds three stages hold first pretermitting question whether respondent conduct shielded speech debate clause petitioner asserts constitutionally protected right second petitioner stated cause action asserts right third relief damages constitutes appropriate form remedy fifth amendment provides person shall deprived life liberty property without due process law numerous decisions held due process clause fifth amendment forbids federal government deny equal protection laws hampton mow sun wong buckley valeo weinberger wiesenfeld bolling sharpe vance bradley withstand scrutiny equal protection component fifth amendment due process clause classifications gender must serve important governmental objectives must substantially related achievement objectives craig boren califano webster equal protection component due process clause thus confers petitioner federal constitutional right free gender discrimination meet requirements inquire next whether petitioner cause action assert right clear district jurisdiction consider petitioner claim bell hood equally clear en banc appeals held fifth amendment confers petitioner constitutional right free illegal discrimination yet appeals concluded petitioner enforce right lacked cause action meaning missing cause action however far apparent almost half century ago justice cardozo recognized cause action may mean one thing one purpose something different another memphis cotton oil phrase apparently became legal term art new york code procedure abolished distinction actions law suits equity simply required plaintiff include complaint statement facts constituting cause action laws ch first third century however phrase become encrusted doctrinal complexity authors federal rules civil procedure eschewed altogether requiring complaint contain short plain statement claim showing pleader entitled relief fed rule civ proc see original ballet russe ballet theatre nevertheless courts commentators continued use phrase cause action traditional sense established codes refer roughly alleged invasion recognized legal rights upon litigant bases claim relief larson domestic foreign commerce meaning cause action appeals refused imply fifth amendment however acknowledged petitioner alleged invasion constitutional right free illegal discrimination instead appeals appropriated meaning phrase cause action used many cases parsed congressional enactments determine whether rights obligations created judicially enforced particular class litigants cannon university chicago securities investor protection barbour example held although congress primary purpose creating sipc protection investors although investors thus intended beneficiaries securities investor protection act stat et investors nevertheless private cause action judicially compel sipc commit funds otherwise act protection investors held act securities exchange commission cause action enabling invoke judicial authority require sipc perform statutory obligations hand texas railway steamship clerks held railway labor act stat provides railroad employees able designate representatives without interference influence coercion confer merely abstract right judicially enforceable private cause action cases question class litigants may enforce legislatively created rights obligations litigant appropriate party invoke power courts said cause action statute cause action necessary element claim understood question whether litigant cause action analytically distinct prior question relief litigant may entitled receive concept cause action employed specifically determine may judicially enforce statutory rights obligations sense appeals concluded petitioner lacked cause action appeals reached conclusion application criteria set cort ash ascertaining whether private cause action may implied statute expressly providing one appeals used criteria determine petitioner position able enforce fifth amendment due process clause petitioner therefore cause action amendment error question may enforce statutory right fundamentally different question may enforce right protected constitution statutory rights obligations established congress entirely appropriate congress creating rights obligations determine addition may enforce manner example statutory rights obligations often embedded complex regulatory schemes enforced private causes action may nevertheless enforced alternative mechanisms criminal prosecutions see cort ash supra public causes actions see securities investor protection barbour supra national railroad passenger national assn railroad passengers case however question nature legislative intent informing specific statute cort set criteria intent discerned constitution hand partake prolixity legal code mcculloch maryland wheat speaks instead majestic simplicity one important objects designation rights great outlines judiciary clearly discernible primary means rights may enforced james madison stated presented bill rights congress rights incorporated constitution independent tribunals justice consider peculiar manner guardians rights impenetrable bulwark every assumption power legislative executive naturally led resist every encroachment upon rights expressly stipulated constitution declaration rights annals cong like plaintiffs bolling sharpe supra petitioner rests claim directly due process clause fifth amendment claims rights amendment violated effective means judiciary vindicate rights conclude therefore appropriate party invoke general jurisdiction district seek relief cause action fifth amendment although petitioner cause action complaint might nevertheless dismissed rule unless determined judicial relief available therefore proceed consider whether damages remedy appropriate form relief approach inquiry basis established law well settled legal rights invaded federal statute provides general right sue invasion federal courts may use available remedy make good wrong done bell hood bivens holds appropriate circumstances federal district may provide relief damages violation constitutional rights special factors counselling hesitation absence affirmative action congress see butz economou first damages remedy surely appropriate case historically damages regarded ordinary remedy invasion personal interests liberty bivens supra relief damages judicially manageable case presents focused remedial issue without difficult questions valuation causation see harlan concurring judgment litigation title vii civil rights act given federal courts great experience evaluating claims backpay due illegal sex discrimination see moreover since respondent longer congressman see supra equitable relief form reinstatement unavailing available alternative forms judicial relief davis bivens damages nothing bivens supra harlan concurring judgment second although suit congressman putatively unconstitutional actions taken course official conduct raise special concerns counseling hesitation hold concerns coextensive protections afforded speech debate clause see supra respondent actions shielded clause apply principle legislators generally bound law ordinary persons gravel cf doe mcmillan butz economou stated last term system jurisprudence rests assumption individuals whatever position government subject federal law man country high law officer law may set law defiance impunity officers government highest lowest creatures law bound obey lee finally appeals appeared concerned damages remedy made available petitioner danger existed deluging federal courts claims perceive potential deluge virtue damages remedy already available redress injuries petitioner occur color state law moreover plaintiff seeking damages remedy constitution must first demonstrate constitutional rights violated hold every tort federal official may redressed damages see wheeldin wheeler course congress create equally effective alternative remedies need damages relief might obviated see bivens perhaps fundamental answer concerns expressed appeals provided justice harlan concurring bivens judicial resources well aware increasingly scarce days nonetheless automatically close courthouse door solely basis implicitly express value judgment comparative importance classes legally protected interests current limitations upon effective functioning courts arising budgetary inadequacies permitted stand way recognition otherwise sound constitutional principles iii hold today appeals fifth circuit en banc must reversed petitioner cause action fifth amendment injury may redressed damages remedy appeals consider however whether respondent conduct shielded speech debate clause constitution accordingly reach question course express opinion merits petitioner complaint judgment appeals reversed case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered footnotes complaint davis avers salary per year expectation promotion defendant administrative assistant salary per year upon imminent retirement defendant current administrative assistant app davis hired competitive service see full text passman letter follows dear davis washington staff joins saying miss much probability inwardly agree injustice asking assume responsibility trying hard taken pleasure work must completely fair please note following able energetic hard worker certainly command respect work however account unusually heavy work load washington office diversity job concluded essential understudy administrative assistant man believe agree conclusion unfair ask waste talent experience monroe office low salary available junior position therefore experience talent may used advantage organization need extremely capable secretary desire continued payroll present salary july arrangement gives full year vacation one month plus one additional month may say work load monroe office limited since come junior member staff low salary actually offense know secretaries ability much demand monroe additional letter recommendation advantageous hesitate let know assuring washington staff humble congressman feel contribution made washington office helped us best wishes sincerely otto passman otto passman member congress davis also sought equitable relief form reinstatement well promotion salary increase since passman longer congressman however see supra forms relief longer available passman also argued alleged conduct violative fifth amendment constitution relief barred reason sovereign immunity doctrine official immunity doctrine app district also ruled although doctrines sovereign official immunity justify dismissal davis complaint discharge plaintiff alleged grounds sex discrimination defendant violative fifth amendment constitution panel also held although sovereign immunity bar damages award passman individually entitled trial defense qualified immunity criteria set cort ash first plaintiff one class whose especial benefit statute enacted texas pacific rigsby emphasis supplied statute create federal right favor plaintiff second indication legislative intent explicit implicit either create remedy deny one see national railroad passenger national assn railroad passengers amtrak third consistent underlying purposes legislative scheme imply remedy plaintiff see amtrak supra securities investor protection barbour calhoon harvey finally cause action one traditionally relegated state law area basically concern inappropriate infer cause action based solely federal law see wheeldin wheeler cf case borak bivens six unknown federal narcotics agents harlan concurring judgment determined whether petitioner fifth amendment right violated therefore inquiry must undertaken important governmental objectives served employment congressional staff see infra express views outcome inquiry right personal petitioner must suffer effects discrimination see cannon university chicago cf monongahela navigation respondent argues subject matter petitioner suit judicial review congressional employment decisions necessarily involve lack respect due coordinate branches government baker carr disagree acknowledge gravity respondent concerns hold judicial review congressional employment decisions constitutionally limited reach speech debate clause constitution art cl clause provides senators representatives speech debate either house shall questioned place protects congressmen conduct necessary perform duties within sphere legitimate legislative activity eastland servicemen fund purpose clause protect integrity legislative process insuring independence individual legislators brewster thus american governmental structure clause serves function reinforcing separation powers deliberately established founders johnson clause therefore paradigm example textually demonstrable constitutional commitment issue coordinate political department baker carr supra since speech debate clause speaks directly concerns raised respondent conclude respondent shielded clause question whether dismissal petitioner violated fifth amendment rights stated powell mccormack require interpretation constitution determination falls within traditional role accorded courts interpret law involve lack respect due branch government involve initial policy determination kind clearly discretion baker carr en banc appeals decide whether conduct respondent shielded speech debate clause absence decision also intimate view question note however clause shields federal legislators absolute immunity consequences litigation results also burden defending dombrowski eastland defenses based upon clause thus ordinarily given priority since federal legislators exempted litigation conduct fact protected clause nevertheless decline remand case en banc appeals decided whether petitioner complaint cause action whether damages remedy appropriate form relief questions otherwise properly us may resolved without imposing respondent additional litigative burdens refusal decide time may actually increase burdens restraints fifth amendment reach far enough embrace official actions congressman hiring dismissing employees respondent conduct may illegal suffice transform merely private action ower granted disappear like magic gift wrongfully used bivens see home tel tel los angeles see dickinson arnold code cause action clarified see clark code cause action yale blume scope civil action rev see employing plasterers moore federal practice pp ed perhaps entirely accurate say one said necessary state claim pleadings cause action rules substituted claim claim relief lieu older troublesome term cause action pleading still must state cause action sense must show pleader entitled relief enough indicate merely plaintiff grievance sufficient detail must given defendant obtain fair idea plaintiff complaining see legal basis recovery footnotes omitted course great controversy concerning exact meaning phrase cause action codes see moore federal practice ed pomeroy code remedies ed wheaton code cause action definition cornell clark supra appeals apparently found petitioner lacked cause action sense cause action supplied chapman houston welfare rights holds term although serves ensure individual cause action violations constitution statute provide substantive rights section course provides cause action deprivations constitutional rights occur color statute ordinance regulation custom usage state territory thus application case texas railway steamship clerks understood implied cause action although opinion use phrase see cannon university chicago thus may said jurisdiction question whether federal power constitution laws hear case see mansfield swan utilities northwestern public serv standing question whether plaintiff sufficiently adversary defendant create art iii case controversy least overcome prudential limitations jurisdiction see warth seldin cause action question whether particular plaintiff member class litigants may matter law appropriately invoke power relief question various remedies federal may make available plaintiff may cause action even though entitled relief example plaintiff sues declaratory injunctive relief although case fulfill preconditions equitable remedies see trainor hernandez appeals appeared confuse question whether petitioner standing question whether asserted proper cause action see national railroad passenger national assn railroad passengers although acknowledged existence petitioner constitutional right concluded cause action part injury alleged infringe right directly injury inflicted unreasonable search webster bivens offended fourth amendment nature petitioner injury however relevant determination whether alleged personal stake outcome controversy assure concrete adverseness sharpens presentation issues upon largely depends illumination difficult constitutional questions baker carr see duke power carolina environmental study group criteria set petitioner clearly standing bring suit allegations complaint taken true shown personally suffered actual threatened injury result putatively illegal conduct defendant gladstone realtors village bellwood whether petitioner asserted cause action however depends quality extent injury whether class litigants petitioner member may use courts enforce right issue focus must therefore nature right petitioner asserts see supra jacobs held plaintiff alleged property taken public use without compensation bring suit directly fifth amendment clause rule xliii house representatives prohibits sex discrimination part code official conduct house member officer employee house representatives shall discharge refuse hire individual otherwise discriminate individual respect compensation terms conditions privileges employment individual race color religion sex national origin september res introduced calling implementation clause creation house fair employment relations board house fair employment relations office procedures hearing settling complaints alleging violations clause rule xliii res res referred house committees administration rules apparently languished see cong rec house failed consider adjournment presently exists voluntary house fair employment practices agreement members house signed agreement elect house fair employment practices committee authority investigate cases alleged discrimination among participating members committee enforcement powers five courts appeals implied causes action directly fifth amendment see apton wilson app sullivan murphy app ex rel moore koelzer loe armistead cert pending sub nom moffit loe marine lines shultz green carlson cert pending jacobson tahoe regional planning agency reversed part affirmed part grounds sub nom lake country estates tahoe regional planning agency bennett campbell respondent dispute petitioner claim cause action louisiana law brief petitioner see cch employment practices far clear state authority effect damages remedy congressman illegal actions course official conduct even plaintiff claim grounded constitution see tarble case wall deference adjudication case event serve purposes federalism since involves application fifth amendment federal officer course federal duties therefore particularly appropriate federal forum damages remedy awarded reasoning holding bivens pertinent determination whether federal may provide damages remedy question appropriateness equitable relief form reinstatement case consequently intimate view question decision panel appeals fifth circuit found respondent foreclosed asserting qualified immunity available government officials see generally wood strickland scheuer rhodes en banc appeals reach issue accordingly express view concerning disposition panel since petitioner competitive service see supra remedial provisions title vii available brown gsa held remedies provided exclusive federal employees covered statute seek redress violation rights guaranteed statute section prohibits discrimination basis race color religion sex national origin chief justice burger justice powell justice rehnquist join dissenting dissent case presents grave questions separation powers rather speech debate clause issues although two certain common roots congress course make remedies available staff employees congressional employees done contrary congress historically treated employees differently arrangements government employees historically staffs members considered intimately part policymaking political process subject selected compensated tenured others serve government vulnerability employment congressional staffs derives hazards elections also imperative need loyalty confidentiality political compatibility simply political party institution administration individual member member congress right expect every person staff give total loyalty political positions member total confidentiality total support may occasion lead member employ particular person racial ethnic religious gender basis thought acceptable constituency represented even though branches government private sector selection factors might prohibited might lead member decide particular staff position filled catholic presbyterian mormon woman rather man presidents consciously select dispense appointees basis done since beginning republic commission presidential appointee defines tenure pleasure president although congress altered ancient spoils system executive branch prescribed standards limited segments judicial branch allowed members presidents judges select personal staffs without limit restraint practical effect tenure pleasure member level government staff assistants members concepts separation powers dictate congress legislates otherwise employment standards staffs judicial power area circumscribed today encroaches barrier cf cases relation constituents performance constitutionally defined functions member house senate occupies position legislative branch comparable president executive branch limited purposes selecting personal staffs authority uninhibited except congress constitution expressly provides otherwise intimation passman still member house federal command pain contempt davis represents astonishing break concepts separate coequal branches categorically reject notion courts power relation congress justice stewart justice rehnquist joins dissenting questions concerning plaintiff complaint basic whether cause action present case however involves preliminary question may completely dispositive recognizes speech debate clause shields federal legislators absolute immunity consequences litigation results also burden defending dombrowski eastland ante see also eastland servicemen fund therefore respondent alleged conduct within immunity speech debate clause end case regardless abstract existence cause action damages remedy accordingly seems clear first question addressed litigation speech debate clause claim claim far frivolous vacate judgment remand case appeals directions decide speech debate clause issue issue fully briefed argued en banc appeals opinion gives indication decide justice powell chief justice justice rehnquist join dissenting although join opinion chief justice write separately emphasize prior decision justifies today intrusion upon legitimate powers members congress analysis starts general proposition judiciary clearly discernible primary means constitutional rights may enforced ante leaps generalization unexceptionable conclusion individuals suffered injury constitutionally protected interest lack effective alternative must able invoke existing jurisdiction courts protection justiciable constitutional rights ante emphasis supplied apart dubious logic reasoning know precedent supports absolute statement federal judiciary obligation entertain private suits congress authorized contrary thought clear federal courts must exercise principled discretion called upon infer private cause action directly language constitution present case reasons well summarized chief justice principles comity separation powers require federal stay hand sure clear least since bivens six unknown fed narcotics agents appropriate circumstances private causes action may inferred provisions constitution exercise responsibility involves discretion weighing relevant concerns justice harlan observed addressing point take account range policy considerations least broad range legislature consider respect express statutory authorization traditional remedy among policies certainly consider deciding whether imply constitutional right action comity toward equal coordinate branch government chief justice waite observed century ago one branch government encroach domain another without danger safety institutions depends small degree strict observance salutary rule cases even authority one branch matter exclusive federal properly may accept jurisdiction dispute recognized principle separation powers continues force matter policy example nixon held one hand question whether president claim privilege conversations advisers issue resolved judiciary hand considerations required recognition qualified privilege whether employment decisions member congress fall within scope speech debate clause constitution question reach today clear decisions bound conduct duties chief justice observes ante congressman necessarily relies heavily personal staff discharging duties office nature office must rely extraordinary extent loyalty compatibility everyone works cf elrod burns powell dissenting congressman simply perform constitutional duties effectively serve constituents properly unless supported staff total confidence foregoing seem even congress indicated intention reserve members right select employ promote discharge staff personnel without judicial interference congress unmistakably made clear view subject took pains exempt coverage title vii unless abandoning modifying sub silentio holding brown gsa title vii amended provides exclusive judicial remedy claims discrimination federal employment exemption statute congressional employees bar judicial relief sum decision today exercise principled discretion avoids obligation take account range policy constitutional considerations expect legislature ponder determining whether particular remedy enacted fails weigh legitimate interests members congress indeed decision simply ignores constitutional doctrine separation powers view serious intrusion upon authority members congress choose control personal staffs justified affirm judgment appeals necessarily wider latitude interpreting constitution construing statute mcculloch maryland wheat moreover federal courts far greater responsibility constitution protection rights derived directly definition enforcement rights created solely congress bivens six unknown fed narcotics agents harlan concurring judgment settled discretion exists variety factors rooted constitution may lead federal refuse entertain otherwise properly presented constitutional claim see trainor hernandez juidice vail huffman pursue younger harris alabama public service southern douglas city jeannette burford sun oil railroad pullman hawks hamill traditionally issue arisen context federal exercise equity powers respect concerns comity similar govern dealings also come play asked interfere functioning congress suggests speech debate clause constitution embodies principle constitution affords protection prerogatives members congress ante assertion marks striking departure precedent also constitutes non sequitur constitutional structure government rests variety checks balances existence one check negate others quite doubtful whether consider respondent speech debate clause claim threshold issue purpose clause applies includes protection members congress harassment litigation since chooses consider claim addresses issue limit dissent accordingly imply view merits speech debate clause issue propriety addressing claim issues justification relies upon duty federal courts vindicate constitutional rights duty one disputes never thought duty required blind exercise judicial power without regard interests constitutional principles indeed surprising congress consider today action unwarranted exercise authority reassert proper balance legislative judicial branches reaction took form limiting jurisdiction federal courts effect conceivably frustrate vindication rights properly protected