The exercise of the judicial power of the United States often requires courts to construe statutes in applying them in particular cases and controversies. Judicial interpretation of the meaning of a statute is authoritative in the matter before the court. Beyond this, the methodologies and approaches taken by the courts in discerning meaning can help guide legislative drafters, legislators, implementing agencies, and private parties. This book provides an overview of how the Supreme Court interprets statutes, with particular emphasis on rules and conventions that focus on the text itself.