1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov Updated December 22, 2020Lawsuits Against the Federal Government: Basic Federal Court Procedure and TimelinesMany federal laws and policy initiatives are challenged in court. In recent years, for instance, plaintiffs have brought cases challenging the Department of Ho
2、meland Securitys rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, the Secretary of Commerces decision to include a citizenship question on the 2020 Census, and the Presidents decision to expend certain funds to construct a “border wall.” Because the defendant in these cases is the U
3、nited States or an executive official, the cases generally proceed in federal court. By understanding the procedures governing federal court litigation, legislators can consider potential outcomes, estimate timelines, and appreciate the importance of a courts ruling at a particular stage. This In Fo
4、cus reviews the most common procedures that govern civil suits against the federal government, tracing the path from federal district court to the Supreme Court. The District Court: From Filing to Judgment The first step in a typical civil case is filing the complaintthe document that lays out the p