This is an evidence document that covers the US Supreme Court and Civil Rights topic of the new US spec. This evidence has put me on track for a comfortable A* in the 2023 exam series (recent essays achieved 27+/30)
- In 2013, the Defense of Marriage Act 1996 was declared unconstitutional
- United States v Windsor declared that the act violated the 5th amendment
Checking Presidential Power
- In 2012, the Supreme Court upheld the Obamacare provisions, deeming them in line with the
constitution
- In 2014, in National Labour Relations Board v Noel Canning, the Supreme Court ruled that Obama
had acted unconstitutionally in appointing board members without the Senate’s approval
- In 2017, in Washington v Donald Trump, the Supreme Court placed a temporary restraining order on
Trump's executive order that prevented Muslims from 7 countries from entering the US
Appointment Process
- Kavanaugh was confirmed 50 - 48
- KBJ was confirmed 53 - 47
- During KBJ’s Senate hearing Ted Cruz asked “are babies racists”
- Bush replaced the first black justice (Thurgood Marshall) with Clarence Thomas
- Obama had a SEnate majority in 2010, so nominated a more liberal Sotomayor
- Obama was nearing the end of his term so nominated a more moderate Merrick Garland
Public Policy
Judicial Activism Judicial Restraint
United States v Texas (2016): The Supreme Court NFIB v Sebelius (2012): The Supreme Court ruled
ruled that Obama's DAPA was unconstitutional that the Affordable Care Act didn’t violate state
rights
Citizens United v FEC (2010): The Supreme Court
ruled that interest groups should be able make Trump v Hawaii (2018): the Supreme Court ruled
‘election communication’ within 30 days of a primary that Trump's ban on arriving from certain Muslim
countries was constitutional
McCutcheon v FEC (2014): The Supreme Court
ruled that individuals should not be limited on how Whole Woman's Health v Hellerstedt (2016): The
much they can donate to different election Supreme Court struck down a Texas law that limited
campaigns. This created a loophole for excessive abortion access. This upheld precedent set by Roe v
funding Wade
Obergefell v Hodges (2015): The Supreme Court
ruled that the 14th amendment gives ame-sex
couples the right to marry
Dobbs v Jackson (2022): The Supreme Court
overturned Roe v Wade and gave states the power
to limit access to abortions
Affirmative Action
Is the Supreme Court Independent?
Yes No
Supreme Court justices are given life tenure, and Congress has the theoretical power to alter the
cannot have their salary threatened or decisions composition of the court. Roosevelt tried to
questioned. Trump attacked Ginsburg after she increase the size of the court in 1930 but was
criticised his 2016 campaign, but had no power frustrated by Congress
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