Topic: U.S. Supreme Court Cases

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Major gay marriage cases in federal court and where they stand

Battles over same-sex marriage have been raging in the federal courts for several years. Two could reach the US Supreme Court within a year: one challenging California's ban on gay marriage under Proposition 8, and the other seeking to invalidate the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Here are the cases to follow.
Online gambling 101: What the new gambling expansion means for states

Online lotto – and virtual slot machines, blackjack, and poker – could be coming to your state or one near you. Here are five questions on internet gambling, following the US Justice Department's policy reversal late last year, possibly producing a boon to both the industry and state budgets.
Black History Month: Five major events and figures

Black History Month is the annual celebration of the struggles, achievements and overall contribution African-Americans have made to the US.
Eight reasons to ‘mute’ super PAC ads

First Iowa, now Florida, have seen the first wave of political TV ads from super PACs – mostly negative – that will smother the 2012 presidential elections. Voters have an easy way to avoid such ads: the mute button. Here are eight reasons to use it:
Election 101: Five basics about 'super PACs' and 2012 campaign money

The 'super PAC' promises to shake up the 2012 election. This new fundraising heavyweight – which Stephen Colbert famously brought attention to with his own Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow – heralds a new era of 'superspending' in politics.

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Gay marriage: Judge overturns DOMA, stepping up pressure on Supreme Court

A federal judge struck down the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which precludes gay couples from receiving federal marriage benefits. She is the third federal judge to do so, suggesting that the Supreme Court might need to step in soon to clarify its position.
Major gay marriage cases in federal court and where they stand

Battles over same-sex marriage have been raging in the federal courts for several years. Two could reach the US Supreme Court within a year: one challenging California's ban on gay marriage under Proposition 8, and the other seeking to invalidate the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Here are the cases to follow.
Appeals court upholds key provision of Voting Rights Act. Supreme Court could loom

A federal court on Friday rejected an Alabama county's argument that a key part of the 1965 Voting Rights act is outdated. That could set the stage for a Supreme Court hearing.
John Edwards trial: What will verdict mean for campaign finance? (+video)

Closing arguments in the John Edwards trial are set to begin Thursday. But the political significance of the trial in defining the limits of campaign finance has been greatly dampened.
'Torture memos' author can't be sued for harsh interrogations, court rules

José Padilla, who claims he was tortured while being detained on allegations of terror-related activity, was suing John Yoo, the Bush aide whose memos set out broadly permissive standards for inflicting physical and mental harm during interrogations.
Supreme Court popularity hits new low. Will Obama attack?

Only 52 percent of the American public views the Supreme Court favorably. If the high court rules against Obama on health care or immigration he may be tempted to attack. But that would be risky.
Author of Arizona immigration law defends it in Senate hearing

In a hearing Tuesday, Sen. Charles Schumer (D) challenged Russell Pearce, champion of a controversial Arizona immigration law, to explain how racial profiling could be avoided under the statute. The US Supreme Court takes up Arizona's law on Wednesday.
40-year wave of Mexican migration recedes, as illegal immigration ebbs (+video)

The net flow of Mexicans into the US has come to a standstill and may even have reversed, a Pew Hispanic Institute report finds. Many factors contribute to the decline of illegal immigration from Mexico.
White House seeks to head off showdown with judges over health-care comments

An appeals court judge has given the Obama administration until Thursday noon to clarify comments made by the president about health-care reform. The judge's question: Does Obama acknowledge that federal courts can strike down federal laws?
Groundhog Day in court? California ban on affirmative action is upheld. Again.

A three-judge panel from the Ninth US Circuit cited a 1997 appeals court decision upholding the affirmative action ban, which led to a sharp decline in minority enrollment at California state universities.
Supreme Court approves strip searches for minor offenses

Jail officials are justified in performing strip searches as a reasonable precaution to maintain safety and order at their facilities, the Supreme Court said Monday.
How Founding Fathers helped argue the health-care case at the Supreme Court

The clash of ideas at the core of the Supreme Court debate over Obama’s health-care law is as old as the nation itself, and the spirit of the Founders was present before the assembled justices.
Next step for Supreme Court on Obamacare: secret Friday vote

The justices meet to discuss the health-care bill on Friday.
Supreme Court justices appear poised to sweep aside entire health-care law

Conservative Supreme Court justices argued Wednesday morning that without the individual mandate, the entire 2,700-page health-care law must be invalidated in full.
Supreme Court orders judicial solution to Congress-State dispute on Jerusalem

Is Jerusalem part of Israel? In a case concerning a US citizen's birth certificate, the Supreme Court said a federal court should rule on an issue that has divided Congress and the State Department.
Obama health reform law: clues to how the justices might behave

The four justices who make up the US Supreme Court's liberal wing are expected to uphold the constitutionality of the Obama health reform law. How the other five will see it is less certain.
EPA wetlands order can be challenged by land owners, Supreme Court rules

The Idaho couple, saying the ‘EPA used bullying and threats of terrifying fines’ to halt building of their dream home, thanks Supreme Court justices for ‘affirming’ their right to a court hearing.
Online gambling 101: What the new gambling expansion means for states

Online lotto – and virtual slot machines, blackjack, and poker – could be coming to your state or one near you. Here are five questions on internet gambling, following the US Justice Department's policy reversal late last year, possibly producing a boon to both the industry and state budgets.
Gay Marriage: why Prop. 8 appeal is not going to Supreme Court ... yet

The coalition of groups that backs Prop. 8, California's ban on gay marriage, has asked all the judges of the Ninth Circuit to rehear the case decided by a three-judge panel on Feb. 7. An appeal to the US Supreme Court could still follow.
Black History Month: Five major events and figures

Black History Month is the annual celebration of the struggles, achievements and overall contribution African-Americans have made to the US.
Prop. 8 struck down: Will California's gay couples flock to the altar?

Prop. 8, California's gay marriage ban, took a hit Tuesday, but the legal battle might not be over yet. Until it is, California couples will likely be barred from marrying.
Super PACs: FEC report sheds light on powerful influence of a few big donors (+video)

A strikingly few wealthy donors were the main 2011 contributors to super PACs, which analysts see as the main force behind a flood of negative campaign ads.
Eight reasons to ‘mute’ super PAC ads

First Iowa, now Florida, have seen the first wave of political TV ads from super PACs – mostly negative – that will smother the 2012 presidential elections. Voters have an easy way to avoid such ads: the mute button. Here are eight reasons to use it:
Unanimous Supreme Court: Get a warrant before installing GPS tracking device

The ruling upholds a broad right to be free from unreasonable searches. But it also highlights a struggle within the Supreme Court to balance law enforcement objectives with privacy concerns.
Supreme Court tells Texas judges to do a better job on election maps

Saying federal judges in Texas exceeded their authority in rejecting election districts drawn by the Republican-controlled Legislature, the Supreme Court instructed the judges to find remedies closer to the state's maps.