Senate GOP proposes constitutional amendment to limit size of Supreme Court

Republicans in the U.S. Senate proposed a new constitutional amendment on Feb. 7 that would prevent federal lawmakers from increasing the number of justices—currently nine—on the U.S. Supreme Court. The new joint congressional resolution, the Keep Nine Amendment, was introduced … Continue reading Senate GOP proposes constitutional amendment to limit size of Supreme Court

DOJ backs away from Supreme Court challenge to Tennessee ban on transgender procedures for minors

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) changed sides on Feb. 7 in a Biden-era Supreme Court challenge to a Tennessee law banning transgender procedures for minors. The DOJ has disavowed its prior position and now argues that state law is … Continue reading DOJ backs away from Supreme Court challenge to Tennessee ban on transgender procedures for minors

Supreme Court grants DOJ request to pause student borrower case

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Feb. 6 to a Department of Justice (DOJ) request to halt a pending student loan case but declined to pause processing three environmental regulation cases. The new rulings came after the DOJ asked the court on Jan. 24 to put the Biden-era cases on hold because the department changed or is considering changing its position on the cases following the inauguration of President Donald Trump on Jan. 20. The Supreme Court did not explain its decisions. No justices dissented. Position changes in high-profile court cases often take place when a new party assumes the … Continue reading Supreme Court grants DOJ request to pause student borrower case

Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor suggests court is overturning precedents too quickly

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the conservative majority on the Court is overturning so many longstanding precedents so quickly that public confidence in it is flagging. “I think my Court would probably gather more public support if it … Continue reading Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor suggests court is overturning precedents too quickly

Judge blocks homeless camping restrictions in Oregon city that won Supreme Court challenge

An Oregon judge has temporarily blocked a city from enforcing its public camping policies after the city prevailed in a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allowed municipalities to enforce homeless camping bans. The new judicial action comes after the Supreme … Continue reading Judge blocks homeless camping restrictions in Oregon city that won Supreme Court challenge

Idaho House passes resolution asking Supreme Court to toss same-sex marriage ruling

The Idaho House of Representatives has passed a resolution calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its 2015 decision that recognized same-sex marriage as a constitutional right. The state House approved the resolution, known as a “memorial,” in a … Continue reading Idaho House passes resolution asking Supreme Court to toss same-sex marriage ruling

Oklahoma asks Supreme Court to review ruling on birth certificate gender identity policy

Oklahoma is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to validate the state’s policy of requiring that birth certificates reflect a person’s biological sex at birth, as opposed to gender identity. The high court docketed the petition in Stitt v. Fowler on … Continue reading Oklahoma asks Supreme Court to review ruling on birth certificate gender identity policy

Supreme Court won’t hear qualified immunity case where child was injured in police shooting

The U.S. Supreme Court decided on Jan. 27 not to hear an appeal from a Maryland father on behalf of his son who was injured in a police shooting. The case deals with qualified immunity, a rule created by the courts that shields government officials, including police officers, from individual liability unless the wrongdoer violated a clearly established right. Civil libertarians have become increasingly critical of the qualified immunity legal doctrine in recent years, which they say allows government officials to escape liability for sometimes egregious wrongdoing. The court’s new decision took the form of an unsigned order in Cunningham … Continue reading Supreme Court won’t hear qualified immunity case where child was injured in police shooting

Supreme Court to review blind patients’ discrimination lawsuit against major lab company

The U.S. Supreme Court will decide if a group of blind people may sue Labcorp for discrimination because the company’s new self-service check-in kiosks were not accessible to them. The court granted the petition in Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings … Continue reading Supreme Court to review blind patients’ discrimination lawsuit against major lab company

Federal agency: Small businesses don’t have to file beneficial ownership reports

Small businesses do not need to file beneficial ownership reports despite a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling lifting a lower court injunction blocking the reporting requirement, according to a federal agency. This is because a separate court injunction halting enforcement … Continue reading Federal agency: Small businesses don’t have to file beneficial ownership reports