U.S. Supreme Court

The Supreme Court, now with a full bench, seemed willing to find a compromise during Nov. 4 arguments about a Catholic social service agency shut out from Philadelphia’s foster care program for not accepting same-sex couples as foster parents.

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments about a Catholic social service agency that had been excluded from Philadelphia’s foster care program for not accepting same-sex couples as foster parents Nov. 4.

A divided Senate, in a 52-48 vote, confirmed Amy Coney Barrett as a justice for the Supreme Court the evening of Oct. 26 and soon afterward she was sworn in by Justice Clarence Thomas at a White House ceremony.

The nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to serve on the Supreme Court will now go to the full Senate for a confirmation vote, which is expected to take place late Oct. 26. Only 51 votes are needed for confirmation.

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear cases stemming from President Donald Trump’s immigration policies related to financing border wall construction and the requirement that asylum-seekers remain in Mexico until their claims are processed.

Democratic senators homed in on concern that Judge Barrett’s confirmation would lead to a vote to potentially overturn the Affordable Care Act when the legislation comes before the nation’s high court in November.
Republican senators emphasized the nominee’s qualifications for the role and stressed that her Catholic faith, shouldn’t be an issue in the current proceedings.

U.S. Supreme Court is temporarily allowing drugs used to medically induce abortions to be mailed or delivered without requiring the recipient to make a doctor’s visit during the coronavirus pandemic.

Although the Supreme Court began its new term Oct. 5, it is hardly business as usual since the court only has eight members on the bench and it is continuing to hear oral arguments by teleconference due to heath concerns.