616
Opinion of the Court
tion of a statute that can be gleaned from its language and legislative history prior to its enactment. Pp. 624-627. 306 F. 3d 170, affirmed.
Souter, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Rehnquist, C. J., and O'Connor, Kennedy, and Thomas, JJ., joined, and in which Scalia, J., joined except as to the penultimate paragraph of Part III and footnote 8. Ginsburg, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Stevens and Breyer, JJ., joined, post, p. 627. Breyer, J., filed a dissenting opinion, post, p. 641.
Jack W. Campbell IV argued the cause for petitioner. With him on the briefs were Donald B. Ayer, Dominick V. Freda, and Joseph E. Wolfe.
Malcolm L. Stewart argued the cause for respondent. With him on the brief were Solicitor General Olson, Assistant Attorney General Keisler, Deputy Solicitor General Kneedler, Patricia A. Millett, Leonard Schaitman, Anthony A. Yang, Howard M. Radzely, Allen H. Feldman, Nathaniel I. Spiller, and Michael P. Doyle.*
Justice Souter delivered the opinion of the Court. The United States is subject to a cause of action for the benefit of at least some individuals adversely affected by a federal agency's violation of the Privacy Act of 1974. The question before us is whether plaintiffs must prove some actual damages to qualify for a minimum statutory award of $1,000. We hold that they must.
I
Petitioner Buck Doe filed for benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act, 83 Stat. 792, 30 U. S. C. § 901 et seq., with the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, the division
*David K. Colapinto, Stephen M. Kohn, and Michael D. Kohn filed a brief for Linda R. Tripp et al. as amici curiae urging reversal.
Briefs of amici curiae were filed for the Electronic Privacy Information Center et al. by Marc Rotenberg and David L. Sobel; and for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press by Lucy A. Dalglish.
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