Supreme Court

Question 1

How have SC appointments been endorsed?

Answer 1

60 pro-life pressure groups endorsed Trump’s SC appointment of Neil Gorsuch

Question 2

What was the Senate vote on approving Neil Gorsuch?

Answer 2

54-45

Question 3

Who is often the decisive justice?

Answer 3

Anthony Kennedy

Question 4

What association rates SC nominees?

Answer 4

ABA

Question 5

Who is the only justice ever to sit on the court with a rating of ‘qualified’?

Answer 5

Clarence Thomas

Question 6

What landmark decision has the court been unable to enforce?

Answer 6

Roe v Wade (1973) - upheld a woman’s right to an abortion. Many states such as Arkansas and West Virginia have put in place many measures to limit a woman’s access to an abortion.

Question 7

Who is a ‘stolen seat’?

Answer 7

Neil Gorsuch

Question 8

How many justices did Nixon appoint and how many did President Carter appoint?

Answer 8

Nixon: 4
Carter: 0

Question 9

How does the appointment process give the President too much power? And provide an example.

Answer 9

Since justices are appointed for life it gives them power that lasts beyond their term of office. e.g. Anthony Kennedy who was appointed by Reagan 30 years ago still sits on the court today

Question 10

Briefly outline 6 reasons why the appointment process is controversial.

Answer 10

1. Gives too much power/not enough power to the president
2. The appointment process isn’t fully outlined in the constitution
3. Private associations that are unaccountable and potentially biased have too much influence
4. Politicises the judicial branch, taking away from judicial neutrality
5. Undemocratic, they should be elected
6. Media and PGs have too much influence

Question 11

What happened in Obergefell v Hodges?

Answer 11

Upheld the right of same-sex couples to marry ~(freedom of sexuality 1st amendment) consequently legalising gay marriage

Question 12

In what case did the court consider the constitutionality of executive legislation?

Answer 12

United States v Texas (2016) - Texas challenged Obama’s executive order DAPA. Equally divided court 4-4

Question 13

Which SC case upheld the 2nd amendment?

Answer 13

Caetano v Massachusetts, right to possess a stun gun comes under the right to bear arms

Question 14

What recent SC case upheld a woman’s right to an abortion?

Answer 14

Whole Woman’s Health v Hellerstedt (2016)

Question 15

Affirmative action cases for and against SC cases?

Answer 15

For = Fisher v University of Texas (2016)
Against = Gratz v Bollinger (2003)

Question 16

Freedom of speech for and against SC cases?

Answer 16

For = Texas v Johnson (1989)
Against = Schnck v United States (1919)

Question 17

In what recent case did the court protect the rights of minorities?

Answer 17

Foster v Chatman (2016)