Topic: U.S. Supreme Court

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Gay marriage battlegrounds: 12 states to watch

In the states, the battle over gay marriage is far from over. As many as 10 could move to legalize same-sex marriage over the next three years. One may be moving toward a stronger defense of traditional marriage. Here's the state-by-state rundown.

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Jimmy Carter: Unchecked campaign contributions are 'legal bribery'

'It's accepted fact,' Carter said during a speech in Atlanta. 'It's legal bribery of candidates. And that repayment may be in the form of an ambassadorship...'
Should Congress restore key part of Voting Rights Act? House hears both sides.

A House subcommittee hosted an exchange of views Thursday about the meaning of and potential fallout from the US Supreme Court’s decision last month that struck down a portion of the Voting Rights Act.
In Senate, emotional appeal to restore 'heart and soul' of Voting Rights Act

Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, a leader of the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to restore a key section of the Voting Rights Act struck down by the Supreme Court.
Texas abortion vote mirrors Americans' divided view

Texas lawmakers have passed a restrictive abortion law that could sharply reduce the number of clinics. Over the years, the sharply divided public view has become more conservative.
Gay marriage: Opponents ask California Supreme Court to enforce ban

Lawyers representing gay-marriage opponents say a federal judge acted beyond his authority when he ordered officials to permit and recognize same-sex marriages throughout California.
Gay marriage: Lawsuit, first since DOMA ruling, targets Pennsylvania ban

The ACLU, on behalf of 10 same-sex couples and others, filed the suit, which cites language from the majority opinion in the DOMA case in asking a US judge to strike down the Pennsylvania ban.
NSA surveillance: Supreme Court is asked to halt phone spying on Americans

A privacy group called on the Supreme Court to invalidate the secret court order that authorized the collection of telephone metadata from every Verizon business customer in the US.
Flag manners: 8 ways to show the American flag some respect

The last word on flag etiquette is President Franklin Roosevelt's US Flag code. Its key point: The American flag 'represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.' No flags as tablecloths, please.
To the mat: Parents to appeal ruling allowing yoga in public schools

A San Diego judge ruled that teaching yoga in Encinitas, Calif., public schools does not violate First Amendment protections against religious indoctrination. The attorney for the parents says there are several avenues for appeal.
Obamacare delay? Large businesses get a one-year reprieve

Companies with 50 or more workers were given a one-year delay in providing coverage for their workers or face fines. 'We have heard that [businesses] need the time to get this right,' wrote a senior White House aide in a blog post. 'We are listening.'
DOMA: 'Scalia was right' about ruling's impact, pro-gay rights lawyer says (+video)

Therese Stewart, a lawyer involved in the recent Supreme Court cases, says Justice Scalia was right in saying the DOMA ruling laid the groundwork to attack and overturn state bans on same-sex marriages.
Gay marriage battlegrounds: 12 states to watch

In the states, the battle over gay marriage is far from over. As many as 10 could move to legalize same-sex marriage over the next three years. One may be moving toward a stronger defense of traditional marriage. Here's the state-by-state rundown.
Gay marriage in California: State prepares for more same-sex weddings

California granted marriage licenses to same-sex couples for about five months in 2008, before voters passed Prop. 8 to ban them. Now that the Supreme Court has struck down Prop. 8, Californians are preparing for an influx of lesbian and gay weddings.
Supreme Court, in Voting Rights Act follow-up, wipes out key Texas rulings

The Supreme Court voided two rulings affected by a now invalidated section of the Voting Rights Act. One blocked a Texas voter ID law, the other required more generous minority election districts in the state.
Should child porn 'consumers' pay victim millions? Supreme Court to decide.

The Supreme Court will decide whether the government or the victim must be able to prove there is a causal relationship between the child pornography consumer's conduct and harm to the victim.
Supreme Court agrees to review Oklahoma abortion pill case

At issue is whether an Oklahoma law requires women and their doctors to follow a protocol that effectively limits access to chemically induced abortions. But first, the Supreme Court wants clarification on what, exactly, the state law outlaws.
Battleground DOMA: What next for opponents of gay marriage?

After twin losses at the Supreme Court, the battleground shifts to the states, where social conservative leaders aim to 'fight like crazy,' with little help from the national GOP establishment.
Gay marriage ruling: Supporters celebrate

From California to New York and Florida, the gay community cheered the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling on Wednesday. Some looked forward to the benefits of having their same-sex marriages recognized federally, while others anticipated further obstacles.
California looks to life without Prop. 8's ban on gay marriage (+video)

The Supreme Court essentially let stand a lower court ruling against California's Prop. 8 ban on same-sex marriage. Given shifting public attitudes, Prop. 8 seems unlikely to have another political life.
Decoder Wire Why many 2016 GOP hopefuls are mum on Supreme Court gay marriage moves

Some possible Republican presidential candidates – Rick Santorum and Marco Rubio – chided the Supreme Court for its actions Wednesday on gay marriage cases. But many others remained quiet. Why is that?
After DOMA ruling, few fighting words from congressional GOP on gay marriage

One by one, leading Republicans offered statements after the Supreme Court's DOMA ruling that showed they were ready, by and large, to leave the gay marriage fight to the states.
Obama on gay marriage: from reluctant supporter to cheerleader-in-chief

One year ago Obama had just come out for gay marriage, and now he's a big cheerleader. But in 2011, he took the most important step of his presidency in paving the way for Wednesday's DOMA ruling.
Opinion In same-sex marriage, Supreme Court walks a middle road

In its two decisions that benefit same-sex marriage, the Supreme Court neither remains silent nor makes a definitive ruling. Instead, it demonstrates its power to participate in ongoing public discourse about a controversial social issue, without drowning out further debate.
Gay marriage: Supreme Court strikes down DOMA, dismisses Prop. 8 appeal

US Supreme Court said Wednesday, 5 to 4, that DOMA (federal Defense of Marriage Act) had been enacted with an apparent attempt to harm gay couples. Its actions set stage for legal battles state by state over gay marriage.
The Monitor's View A knot untied in Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage

The Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage rightly pushes the issue back to the states, but also points to issues of liberty and sovereignty in how marriage is defined.