Which authority is binding in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit regarding the Family Medical Leave Act?

In the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, decisions made by other panels of the Fifth Circuit are binding authority. This principle comes from the doctrine of stare decisis, which dictates that courts should adhere to previous rulings to ensure consistency and predictability in the law. When a panel of the Fifth Circuit makes a ruling on an issue relating to the Family Medical Leave Act or any other matter, that ruling establishes a precedent that must be followed by subsequent panels within the same circuit unless it is overturned by the full court or the Supreme Court.

Cases from the Supreme Court are indeed authoritative and binding on all lower courts, including the Fifth Circuit, but are a broader authority rather than one specific to the circuit itself. Rulings from state courts, such as those from Texas, do not hold the same level of authority in federal appellate courts, including the Fifth Circuit. Similarly, district court rulings may provide persuasive authority but are not binding on the circuit courts. Therefore, the correct understanding of what constitutes binding authority within the Fifth Circuit correctly emphasizes the precedents established by its own panels.