Justice Stevens took no part in the decision of this particular case.
Justice Stevens reasoned that the states had a particularly strong interest in the standing analysis.
Justice Stevens, in his separate opinion, expressed a similar idea.
Justice Stevens also made a similar point in a separate dissenting opinion.
Justice Stevens: How long do you think it will take to try this case?
Justice Stevens said this showed that a noncoercive program could work.
But Justice Stevens was not ready to let the issue drop.
Justice Stevens refused to overturn the order because there had been no hearing in the lower court.
Justice Stevens' observation signals that the court may be getting ready to take another look at the question of spending limits.
In this case, Justice Stevens spoke clearly for a strong majority.