The US Supreme Court didn’t always have nine members. The original Supreme Court established by the Constitution in 1789 had six. However, the number
Tag: Supreme Court
Life after the Voting Rights Act
The Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder—to overturn the “pre-clearance” requirement in Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act—continues to have major
McCaskill Needs to Vote Against Kavanaugh
The Missouri Senate race is tied and, in a scene so dramatic that it could be made into a film, we just so happen
Supreme Court surprises: You don’t always get what you want
How will the next justice appointed to the Supreme Court vote? The answer, history tells us, is: We don’t know for sure. Surprises happen.
5 questions for any Supreme Court nominee [and 5 hoped-for answers]
It is all but guaranteed that President Trump’s nomination of Neil Gorsuch to sit on the Supreme Court will create a political inferno, aggravating
The plot to kill American democracy: This is not a movie
The Republican plot against American democracy is not a myth, a slogan, or a theory. It would probably make a very bad movie with an implausible
Democrats should hold “rump” hearings on Merrick Garland
Republicans have clearly stated that they won’t even hold a hearing on President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland. But that obstructionist stand should
Supreme Court nominees who were rejected: Lessons from history
In the 227-year history of the Supreme Court, about 80% of nominees have been confirmed. But the road to confirmation can be rocky, and
Do Supreme Court appointees vote the way Presidents think they will?
How would a successor to Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia vote? If President Obama manages to get a hearing on a nominee, will he
Supreme Court rulings: Lessons for my 8th grade students
It’s always bittersweet in June when the Supreme Court issues its major rulings, because I can’t help but wish school was in session so