Justice Clarence Thomas commemorates his 34th anniversary on the U.S. Supreme Court bench today. Already the longest-serving current justice, Thomas is nearing another milestone, as he is less than three years away from becoming the longest-serving justice of all time.
- Former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer recently shared insights into his preference for legal pragmatism at Harvard Law School. Breyer emphasized the importance of considering case history, personal experience, and the real-world impact of judicial decisions, challenging the notion that judges should overlook experiential insights.
- The Supreme Court has opted not to review a rule that permits the spouses of H-1B visa holders to work in the United States. This rule, initially implemented during Barack Obama’s presidency, faced legal challenges from Save Jobs USA, who questioned the Department of Homeland Security’s authority to authorize such employment. This decision coincides with federal efforts to impose limits on the H-1B program.
- Two Iowa counties are seeking intervention by the Supreme Court in a conflict with the federal government over a carbon pipeline project. The counties are contesting a decision by the 8th Circuit that prevents them from enforcing local ordinances on pipeline setbacks, an issue that raised significant safety concerns among residents over the extensive length of the Summit carbon capture pipeline.
Today’s Supreme Court docket includes arguments on significant issues—Louisiana v. Callais, which deals with race-based redistricting under the Voting Rights Act, and Case v. Montana, which will examine the boundaries of law enforcement authority to enter a home without a warrant under emergency conditions. Previews of these cases are available here and here.
Meanwhile, the ongoing federal government shutdown is beginning to impact the judiciary, now entering its second week. Although the Supreme Court is insulated from immediate effects due to reliance on permanent funds, the same cannot be said for lower courts, which are currently operating on limited reserves. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts cautions that essential functions will remain operational past October 17, after which non-essential staff may face furloughs if the shutdown persists.
As criminal cases are categorized as essential, they continue to proceed. Nevertheless, delays are already occurring in civil cases involving federal government entities, reflecting the broader ramifications of the shutdown across the federal courts.
In a recent series of declined petitions, the Supreme Court denied appeals in several high-profile cases. Among these was an appeal from Alex Jones concerning his liability in a defamation case brought by families of the Sandy Hook tragedy victims, as well as a challenge by Colorado parents over their exclusion from discussions about their children’s gender identity by a school district.
For further details on these developments, you can explore the full discussion on SCOTUSblog.