Staff Reports
The Supreme Court just might need a summer vacation from its summer vacation. While the nine justices are not due back in the hallowed halls of justice for several more weeks, the recent actions showcase they are still very much in the game, perhaps with a little extra caffeination as they wrangle critical issues impacting Americans more than a love letter from the IRS.
Arizona’s infamous attempts to secure electoral integrity have been given a shot in the arm, as the Supreme Court has opted to revive portions of a Republican-pushed law aimed at deterring illegal voting. With an ever-growing pile of legal disputes challenging the integrity of elections, it seems the justices are gearing up to restore a bit of order beneath the chaos. This is just the tip of the iceberg, however, as the court is also holding the line on some controversial Title IX guidelines that have left many concerned about fairness for women in sports and privacy rights.
BREAKING: Supreme Court leaves injunctions against the Biden administration’s new Title IX rules in place.
All nine Justices agree the rule imposing a new, speech-restrictive definition of sexual harassment should remain paused.
FIRE has consistently warned that the Department… pic.twitter.com/byWPBKsoay
— FIRE (@TheFIREorg) August 16, 2024
Their summer workload is skyrocketing, showcasing that they are busier than ever during what is traditionally considered a “break.” The justices are tackling urgent cases on their emergency docket, the realm where swift decisions are made without the usual formality. Speculation is rife about the increasing urgency of these cases, with some experts pondering whether it reflects a need for the court to push back against the onslaught of mandates from the current administration.
Critics, such as Georgetown Law professor Steve Vladeck, have grumbled about the flurry of emergency decisions in recent summers. One bold Missouri Solicitor General didn’t hesitate to point fingers at the White House, claiming it’s not the court’s fault that the Biden administration’s last-minute rush to push policies mandated a rush of court challenges. The administration seemingly adopted a “throw it on the wall and see what sticks” approach, resulting in the justices being buried under an avalanche of legal requests arising from Biden’s expansive plans.
This summer promises a potential record-breaking amount of work for the justices, echoing the chaotic times of the COVID-19 pandemic. With enough cases to fill a boatload of law books heading to the high court, the justices are indeed contending with a serious workload. Their next term is shaping up to be as busy as a TSA line during the holidays, but perhaps to the dismay of some, the court just might not have the option of a relaxing break anytime soon.
While the landscape is undoubtedly packed with disputes, some justices have openly expressed their weariness. Reports from the judicial grapevine suggest that Justice Sotomayor and Justice Kagan are not alone in wondering where all the summer leisure time has gone. With big athletes and bold lawmakers trying to reshape the very principles laid down by the Founders, the Supreme Court could find itself in a never-ending cycle of urgent rulings while their summer fun remains canceled.
Regardless of how many applications await consideration, a critical trend is delineating itself: the high court is preparing for a fall session filled with significant cases that could define policies for a generation. Buckle up, America; the justices may return with more than just their robes and gavels.
