Wyman v. Rothstein/Dissent Black

by Hugo Black

United States Supreme Court

398 U.S. 275

Wyman  v.  Rothstein

 Argued: April 27, 28, 1970. --- Decided: June 1, 1970

Mr. Justice BLACK, with whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE joins, dissenting.

When this action was commenced by appellees, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare was in the process of determining if the New York welfare provisions under attack in this case are consistent with the federal standard requiring uniform statewide application of state welfare plans. See Social Security Act § 402, as amended, 81 Stat. 877 et seq., 42 U.S.C. § 602 (1964 ed., Supp. IV); 45 CFR § 233.20. Although the federal agency has not yet made a final decision, it appears from the brief submitted by the United States as amicus curiae that HEW has made a preliminary determination that the New York provisions do not conform to the Social Security Act's requirements. Accordingly, the statutory claim which this Court today remands to the District Court for its consideration involves a live controversy 397, 430, 90 S.Ct. 1207, 1227, 25 L.Ed.2d 442 (1970), it is my belief that such controversies should be resolved in proceedings between the two governments involved, as provided in the Social Security Act. See, e.g., 42 U.S.C. §§ 602, 1316 (1964 ed., Supp. IV). For this reason, I would vacate the judgment of the District Court and remand with directions that the complaint be dismissed.

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