The Tucker Act expanded the jurisdiction of the U.S. Court of Claims, established in 1855 to hear monetary claims against the federal government. Prior to the act, the Court of Claims was authorized to hear cases based on acts of Congress, executive branch regulations, or contracts with the United States government. The act authorized suits based upon the Constitution as well as suits seeking damages in contract cases. In addition, Congress gave the U.S. district courts and U.S. circuit courts concurrent jurisdiction with the Court of Claims for cases concerning less than $1,000 and cases between $1,000 and $10,000, respectively.