Stories tagged with: u.s. supreme court

• Pro-lifers welcome review of Louisiana law

  by Tom Strode, posted Wednesday, October 09, 2019 (4 years ago)

  

  iStock

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- Pro-life advocates have commended the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to consider the constitutionality of a Louisiana pro-life law, potentially setting up what abortion-rights supporters say would be the repudiation of a ruling by the justices that is only three years old.

  The high court announced Oct. 4 it would review a lower court opinion regarding a Louisiana requirement that an abortion doctor must have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans had upheld the 2014 law, which is intended to protect the health and lives of women who suffer complications from abortion. Read More

• Supreme Court eyes 'flawed' church-state precedent

  by Diana Chandler, posted Friday, February 22, 2019 (5 years ago)

  

  First Liberty photo

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- Religious liberty advocates including Southern Baptists hope the U.S. Supreme Court will establish a clear precedent Feb. 27 to answer a question regarding the separation of church and state in the public square. Read More

• Both Kavanaugh, accuser need to be heard, Moore says

  by Tom Strode, posted Thursday, September 20, 2018 (6 years ago)

  

  Screen capture from C-Span

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- A pivotal Supreme Court seat hangs in the balance while the U.S. Senate and America wait to learn if Brett Kavanaugh's accuser will testify regarding her sexual assault allegation against President Trump's nominee.

  Southern Baptist ethicist Russell Moore said it is important to hear from both Kavanaugh and his accuser regarding a charge he thinks would make the nominee unfit if true.

  "Obviously, if this did happen, that would be disqualifying," Moore said in a Sept. 18 appearance on CNN. "And obviously if this did not happen, it would be a horrible thing to wrongfully accuse someone of doing." Read More

• Kavanaugh appears likely to gain Senate approval

  by Tom Strode, posted Friday, September 07, 2018 (6 years ago)

  

  Screen capture from C-Span

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- Brett Kavanaugh appears likely to gain confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court after completing the gauntlet that is now the hearing process for nominees to the country's highest bench.

  The Senate is expected to hold a confirmation vote on Kavanaugh, 53, before the Supreme Court begins its term Oct. 1. President Trump nominated the appeals court judge July 9 following the retirement of Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy.

  Kavanaugh -- a judge on the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals -- appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee Sept. 4-6. He received on the last two days often tough questioning from Democrats in particular. His responses seemed not to damage his support among Senate Republicans, who hold a 51-49 advantage, and some of his supporters expressed confidence a few Democrats would join them in an affirmative confirmation vote in which only a majority is required. Read More

• Kavanaugh hearings open, abortion draws spotlight

  by David Roach, posted Tuesday, September 04, 2018 (6 years ago)

  

  Screen capture from U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- Abortion drew the spotlight today (Sept. 4) as the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee's confirmation hearings opened for judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump's nominee to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court.

  The Judiciary Committee's top Democrat, Dianne Feinstein of California, expressed concern about Kavanaugh's seeming willingness to restrict abortion rights, and more than 30 protestors were arrested in the hearing room, including some who touted abortion rights. Read More

• Evangelical leaders embrace Kavanaugh nomination

  by Tom Strode, posted Tuesday, July 10, 2018 (6 years ago)

  

  Wikimedia Commons photo.

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- Southern Baptist and other evangelical Christian leaders embraced President Trump's nomination of federal appeals court judge Brett Kavanaugh Monday (July 9) and called for his quick confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court.

  Trump announced his selection of Kavanaugh, 53, Monday night from the White House, ending speculation on who would be chosen from a list of 25 potential nominees -- all considered conservatives -- that the administration had released in November in anticipation of the next open seat on the high court. Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement from the Supreme Court on its final day of the term, June 27. Read More

• Debate begins on next high court nominee

  by Tom Strode, posted Thursday, June 28, 2018 (6 years ago)

  

  iStock

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- The retirement announcement of Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy quickly ushered in guessing games on whom President Trump would next nominate to the Supreme Court and how long Roe v. Wade and other rulings would survive.

  Kennedy, long the high court's swing vote on controversial decisions, told Trump in a letter Wednesday (June 27) after the final opinions of the term were announced that his retirement as an associate justice would take effect July 31. He served 30 years on the court after his nomination by President Reagan and his Senate confirmation. Read More

• Kennedy's departure opens 2nd seat for Trump to fill

  by Diana Chandler, posted Wednesday, June 27, 2018 (6 years ago)

  

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy has announced his retirement effective July 31, ending 30 years of service that began with his 1988 confirmation in the Ronald Reagan administration.

  Kennedy's resignation opens a second seat for President Donald Trump to fill. In 2017, Congress amended rules to allow confirmation of justices by a simple majority vote, enabling the appointment of Justice Neil Gorsuch.

  Southern Baptist ethicist Russell Moore noted the gravity of the upcoming appointment. Read More

• SCOTUS refuses to hear former Marine's appeal

  by Diana Chandler, posted Wednesday, June 07, 2017 (7 years ago)

  The U.S. Supreme Court missed an opportunity to clarify religious liberty law by refusing to hear a former Marine's appeal, Family Research Council (FRC) representative Travis Weber said. Read More

• Gorsuch affirms independence, refuses opinion on Roe

  by Tom Strode, posted Tuesday, March 21, 2017 (7 years ago)

  

  Screen capture from C-Span

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- Neil Gorsuch defended his judicial independence and refused to express his opinion on U.S. Supreme Court decisions -- including Roe v. Wade -- during the first two days of hearings on his nomination to serve as a justice.

  In his opening statement Monday (March 20) and in responses to questions this morning (March 21), the nominee to the high court assured the Senate Judiciary Committee of his willingness to rule against President Trump, who nominated him. The hearings will continue tomorrow, with a committee vote scheduled April 3. Read More