Cite as: 538 U. S. 721 (2003)
Syllabus
employees, and that employers could not evade leave obligations simply by hiring men. Unlike the statutes at issue in City of Boerne, Kimel, and Garrett, which applied broadly to every aspect of state employers' operations, the FMLA is narrowly targeted at the faultline between work and family—precisely where sex-based overgeneralization has been and remains strongest—and affects only one aspect of the employment relationship. Also significant are the many other limitations that Congress placed on the FMLA's scope. See Florida Prepaid Postsecondary Ed. Expense Bd. v. College Savings Bank, 527 U. S. 627, 647. For example, the FMLA requires only unpaid leave, § 2612(a)(1); applies only to employees who have worked for the employer for at least one year and provided 1,250 hours of service within the last 12 months, § 2611(2)(A); and does not apply to employees in high-ranking or sensitive positions, including state elected officials, their staffs, and appointed policymakers, §§ 2611(2)(B)(i) and (3), 203(e)(2)(C). Pp. 726-740.
273 F. 3d 844, affirmed.
Rehnquist, C. J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which O'Connor, Souter, Ginsburg, and Breyer, JJ., joined. Souter, J., filed a concurring opinion, in which Ginsburg and Breyer, JJ., joined, post, p. 740. Stevens, J., filed an opinion concurring in the judgment, post, p. 740. Scalia, J., filed a dissenting opinion, post, p. 741. Kennedy, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Scalia and Thomas, JJ., joined, post, p. 744.
Paul G. Taggart, Deputy Attorney General of Nevada, argued the cause for petitioners. With him on the briefs were Frankie Sue Del Papa, Attorney General, and Traci L. Lovitt.
Cornelia T. L. Pillard argued the cause for respondent Hibbs. With her on the brief were Jonathan J. Frankel, Judith L. Lichtman, and Treva J. Hearne.
Assistant Attorney General Dinh argued the cause for the United States. With him on the brief were Solicitor General Olson, Assistant Attorneys General Boyd and McCallum, Deputy Solicitor General Clement, Patricia A. Millett, Mark B. Stern, and Kathleen Kane.*
*Briefs of amici curiae urging reversal were filed for the State of Alabama et al. by Bill Pryor, Attorney General of Alabama, Nathan A. Forrester, Solicitor General, and Charles B. Campbell, Deputy Solicitor Gen-
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