Supreme Court dismisses California's Proposition 8 appeal
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal over same-sex marriage on jurisdictional grounds, ruling Wednesday private parties do not have "standing" to defend California's voter-approved ballot measure barring gay and lesbians couples from state-sanctioned wedlock.The ruling permits same-sex couples in California to legally marry.The 5-4 decision avoids, for now, a sweeping conclusion on whether same-sex marriage is a constitutionally-protected "equal protection" right that would apply to all states.At issue was whether the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection under the law prevents states from defining marriage, and whether a state can revoke same-sex marriage through referendum once it already has been recognized.California voters approved the measure in 2008 with 52% of the vote shortly after the state Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriages are legal.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal over same-sex marriage on jurisdictional grounds, ruling Wednesday private parties do not have "standing" to defend California's voter-approved ballot measure barring gay and lesbians couples from state-sanctioned wedlock.The ruling permits same-sex couples in California to legally marry.The 5-4 decision avoids, for now, a sweeping conclusion on whether same-sex marriage is a constitutionally-protected "equal protection" right that would apply to all states.At issue was whether the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection under the law prevents states from defining marriage, and whether a state can revoke same-sex marriage through referendum once it already has been recognized.California voters approved the measure in 2008 with 52% of the vote shortly after the state Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriages are legal.
Supreme Court same-sex marriage decision expected Wednesday
WISCONSIN (WITI) -- From voting rights to same-sex marriage, the Supreme Court is taking up a bunch of issues and giving its official ruling.
WISCONSIN (WITI) -- From voting rights to same-sex marriage, the Supreme Court is taking up a bunch of issues and giving its official ruling.
Supreme Court makes historic voting rights law harder to enforce
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- It was a law passed at the height of America's civil rights movement, when citizens in parts of the country were fighting each other and sometimes authorities over how skin color impacts a person's place in a democracy.The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday in a 5-4 decision that key parts of that law, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, were no longer valid.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- It was a law passed at the height of America's civil rights movement, when citizens in parts of the country were fighting each other and sometimes authorities over how skin color impacts a person's place in a democracy.The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday in a 5-4 decision that key parts of that law, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, were no longer valid.
Big money at stake in same-sex marriage ruling
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The Supreme Court could decide the financial fate of thousands of same-sex couples this week.A decision on the constitutionality of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as solely between a man and a woman, is expected to be announced Wednesday.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The Supreme Court could decide the financial fate of thousands of same-sex couples this week.A decision on the constitutionality of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as solely between a man and a woman, is expected to be announced Wednesday.
Supreme Court to hear abortion-related case for review
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court will step back into the national debate over free speech and abortion, accepting an appeal Monday on the rights of protesters outside medical clinics.A challenge to a Massachusetts law concerns government-mandated buffer zones set up around facilities that perform abortions.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court will step back into the national debate over free speech and abortion, accepting an appeal Monday on the rights of protesters outside medical clinics.A challenge to a Massachusetts law concerns government-mandated buffer zones set up around facilities that perform abortions.
Supreme Court sidesteps big ruling on Texas affirmative action
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court sidestepped a sweeping decision on the use of race-conscious school admission policies, ruling Monday on the criteria at the University of Texas and whether it violates the equal protection rights of some white applicants.The justices threw the case back to the lower courts for further review.The court affirmed the use of race in the admissions process, but makes it harder for institutions to use such policies to achieve diversity.The 7-1 decision avoids the larger constitutional issues.Abigail Noel Fisher individually sued the flagship state university after her college application was rejected in 2008 when she was a high school senior in Sugar Land, Texas.She claims it was because she is white, and that she was being treated differently than some less-qualified minority students who were accepted.The decision comes as the justices work toward wrapping up a busy term.Among the big issues yet to be resolved: federal enforcement of the Voting Rights Act and the politically blockbuster constitutionality of same-sex marriage.The justices plan to meet again on Tuesday to issue additional opinions.In the Texas case, the school defends its policy of considering race as one of many factors, such as test scores, community service, leadership, and work experience, designed to create a diverse campus.In ruling narrowly, the court reaffirmed earlier rulings allowing for a limited use of race-conscious public policies."The attainment of a diverse student body serves values beyond race alone, including enhanced classroom dialogue and the lessening of racial isolation and stereotypes," wrote Justice Anthony Kennedy in the court's ruling.But Kennedy said that such admissions programs must withstand close review.Kennedy said the "university must prove that the means chosen" to attain diversity "are narrowly tailored to that goal," adding that the highest level of legal standard must be met before institutions use diversity programs."Strict scrutiny imposes on the university the ultimate burden of demonstrating, before turning to racial classification, that available, workable race-neutral alternatives do not suffice," he said.The Supreme Court in recent decades has established a three-pronged test to balance the government's interest against a constitutional right or principle, and decide which laws may go too far.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court sidestepped a sweeping decision on the use of race-conscious school admission policies, ruling Monday on the criteria at the University of Texas and whether it violates the equal protection rights of some white applicants.The justices threw the case back to the lower courts for further review.The court affirmed the use of race in the admissions process, but makes it harder for institutions to use such policies to achieve diversity.The 7-1 decision avoids the larger constitutional issues.Abigail Noel Fisher individually sued the flagship state university after her college application was rejected in 2008 when she was a high school senior in Sugar Land, Texas.She claims it was because she is white, and that she was being treated differently than some less-qualified minority students who were accepted.The decision comes as the justices work toward wrapping up a busy term.Among the big issues yet to be resolved: federal enforcement of the Voting Rights Act and the politically blockbuster constitutionality of same-sex marriage.The justices plan to meet again on Tuesday to issue additional opinions.In the Texas case, the school defends its policy of considering race as one of many factors, such as test scores, community service, leadership, and work experience, designed to create a diverse campus.In ruling narrowly, the court reaffirmed earlier rulings allowing for a limited use of race-conscious public policies."The attainment of a diverse student body serves values beyond race alone, including enhanced classroom dialogue and the lessening of racial isolation and stereotypes," wrote Justice Anthony Kennedy in the court's ruling.But Kennedy said that such admissions programs must withstand close review.Kennedy said the "university must prove that the means chosen" to attain diversity "are narrowly tailored to that goal," adding that the highest level of legal standard must be met before institutions use diversity programs."Strict scrutiny imposes on the university the ultimate burden of demonstrating, before turning to racial classification, that available, workable race-neutral alternatives do not suffice," he said.The Supreme Court in recent decades has established a three-pronged test to balance the government's interest against a constitutional right or principle, and decide which laws may go too far.
Nation's High Court poised for a week of high-stakes rulings
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Inside the marble walls at the Supreme Court, the last days of June are called the "flood season," a frantic push to finish its work for the summer.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Inside the marble walls at the Supreme Court, the last days of June are called the "flood season," a frantic push to finish its work for the summer.
Court rejects anti-prostitution 'pledge' in anti-AIDS program
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court has ruled the federal government may not deny funds from its global anti-AIDS program to organizations that refuse to actively oppose prostitution.In a 6-2 decision on Thursday, the justices determined the policy requiring fund recipients adhere to a larger message about fighting disease and its root causes was not directly related to the "core" mandate of the AIDS program.Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the opinion for the majority, said the 2003 law violated the First Amendment.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court has ruled the federal government may not deny funds from its global anti-AIDS program to organizations that refuse to actively oppose prostitution.In a 6-2 decision on Thursday, the justices determined the policy requiring fund recipients adhere to a larger message about fighting disease and its root causes was not directly related to the "core" mandate of the AIDS program.Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the opinion for the majority, said the 2003 law violated the First Amendment.
Justices strike down citizenship provision in Arizona voter law
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court on Monday tossed out a provision in Arizona's voter registration law that required proof of citizenship.The 7-2 majority said the state's voter-approved Proposition 200 interfered with federal law designed to make voter registration easier.The state called the provision a "sensible precaution" to prevent voter fraud.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court on Monday tossed out a provision in Arizona's voter registration law that required proof of citizenship.The 7-2 majority said the state's voter-approved Proposition 200 interfered with federal law designed to make voter registration easier.The state called the provision a "sensible precaution" to prevent voter fraud.
Supreme Court rules human genes cannot be patented
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Thursday that human genes cannot be patented.But in something of a compromise, all nine justices said while the naturally occurring isolated biological material itself is not patentable, a synthetic version of the gene material may be patented.Legal and medical experts believe the decision will have a lasting impact on genetic testing, likely making varieties more widely available and more affordable.The overriding legal question addressed was whether "products of nature" can be treated the same as "human-made" inventions, allowing them to be held as the exclusive intellectual property of individuals and companies.The broader issue involved 21st century conflicts over cutting-edge medical science, the power of business and individual legal rights, and how their convergence might influcence decisionmaking over how people and medicine manage the prospect and reality of certain diseases, like cancer.The issue has deeply divided the scientific and business communities.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Thursday that human genes cannot be patented.But in something of a compromise, all nine justices said while the naturally occurring isolated biological material itself is not patentable, a synthetic version of the gene material may be patented.Legal and medical experts believe the decision will have a lasting impact on genetic testing, likely making varieties more widely available and more affordable.The overriding legal question addressed was whether "products of nature" can be treated the same as "human-made" inventions, allowing them to be held as the exclusive intellectual property of individuals and companies.The broader issue involved 21st century conflicts over cutting-edge medical science, the power of business and individual legal rights, and how their convergence might influcence decisionmaking over how people and medicine manage the prospect and reality of certain diseases, like cancer.The issue has deeply divided the scientific and business communities.
Gov. Walker, others mark one-year since recall victory
PEWAUKEE (WITI) -- Hours after the Joint Finance Committee finished finalizing the 2013-2014 budget, GOP lawmakers and supporters held a rally Wednesday night, June 5th to celebrate the anniversary of the recall election that kept Scott Walker in the Governor's Office.The rally was held at the County Springs Hotel in Pewaukee, where Gov.
PEWAUKEE (WITI) -- Hours after the Joint Finance Committee finished finalizing the 2013-2014 budget, GOP lawmakers and supporters held a rally Wednesday night, June 5th to celebrate the anniversary of the recall election that kept Scott Walker in the Governor's Office.The rally was held at the County Springs Hotel in Pewaukee, where Gov.
State comm. to hold hearing on so-called "election collection"
MADISON (WITI) -- A legislative committee will hold a hearing on Tuesday, June 4th on a measure that could change the way everyone in Wisconsin casts ballots.The proposal before the committee is known as an "omnibus bill." Omnibus is the Latin meaning "for everything." When it comes to election laws, this bill has everything but the kitchen sink."There are some changes to photo ID, securities of our election, to the ballots and some things to make it more efficient for local clerks in operating and then we've done a few things to bring Wisconsin law into line with some of the federal court decisions," said State Rep.
MADISON (WITI) -- A legislative committee will hold a hearing on Tuesday, June 4th on a measure that could change the way everyone in Wisconsin casts ballots.The proposal before the committee is known as an "omnibus bill." Omnibus is the Latin meaning "for everything." When it comes to election laws, this bill has everything but the kitchen sink."There are some changes to photo ID, securities of our election, to the ballots and some things to make it more efficient for local clerks in operating and then we've done a few things to bring Wisconsin law into line with some of the federal court decisions," said State Rep.
Supreme Court: DNA swab after arrest is legitimate search
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court has ruled criminal suspects can be subjected to a police DNA test after arrest -- before trial and conviction -- a privacy-versus-public-safety dispute that could have wide-reaching implications in the rapidly evolving technology surrounding criminal procedure.At issue in the ruling Monday was whether taking genetic samples from someone held without a warrant in criminal custody for "a serious offense" is an unconstitutional "search."A 5-4 majority of the court concluded it is legitimate, and upheld a state law."When officers make an arrest supported by probable cause to hold for a serious offense and they bring the suspect to the station to be detained in custody, taking and analyzing a cheek swab of the arrestee's DNA is, like fingerprinting and photographing, a legitimate police booking procedure that is reasonable under the Fourth Amendment," the majority wrote.Law enforcement lauds genetic testing's potential as the "gold standard" of reliable evidence gathering, especially to solve "cold cases" involving violent offenders.But privacy rights groups counter the state's "trust us" promise not to abuse the technology does not ease their concerns that someone's biological makeup could soon be applied for a variety of non-criminal purposes.Twenty-six states and the federal government allow genetic swabs to be taken after a felony arrest and without a warrant.Each has different procedures, but in all cases, only a profile is created.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court has ruled criminal suspects can be subjected to a police DNA test after arrest -- before trial and conviction -- a privacy-versus-public-safety dispute that could have wide-reaching implications in the rapidly evolving technology surrounding criminal procedure.At issue in the ruling Monday was whether taking genetic samples from someone held without a warrant in criminal custody for "a serious offense" is an unconstitutional "search."A 5-4 majority of the court concluded it is legitimate, and upheld a state law."When officers make an arrest supported by probable cause to hold for a serious offense and they bring the suspect to the station to be detained in custody, taking and analyzing a cheek swab of the arrestee's DNA is, like fingerprinting and photographing, a legitimate police booking procedure that is reasonable under the Fourth Amendment," the majority wrote.Law enforcement lauds genetic testing's potential as the "gold standard" of reliable evidence gathering, especially to solve "cold cases" involving violent offenders.But privacy rights groups counter the state's "trust us" promise not to abuse the technology does not ease their concerns that someone's biological makeup could soon be applied for a variety of non-criminal purposes.Twenty-six states and the federal government allow genetic swabs to be taken after a felony arrest and without a warrant.Each has different procedures, but in all cases, only a profile is created.
High court poised for a month of high-stakes rulings
(CNN) -- Four weeks.
(CNN) -- Four weeks.
Women excited to catch a glimpse of Prince Harry on Capitol Hill
Washington (CNN) -- The arrival of Prince Harry on Capitol Hill Thursday prompted what appeared to be a mass exodus of women from their congressional offices hoping to catch a glimpse of the third-in-line to the British throne.Harry stopped in the Russell Senate Office Building with Sen.
Washington (CNN) -- The arrival of Prince Harry on Capitol Hill Thursday prompted what appeared to be a mass exodus of women from their congressional offices hoping to catch a glimpse of the third-in-line to the British throne.Harry stopped in the Russell Senate Office Building with Sen.
Obamacare applications go from 21 pages to three
(CNN) -- Applications for health insurance coverage under President Barack Obama's sweeping healthcare law will go from 21 pages to three, according to a White House official, who said the change was part of an effort to simplify the implementation of Obamacare."The President wants the Administration to be as flexible and nimble as possible in implementing the ACA law," the White House official said, referring to the law's official name, the Affordable Care Act. "It is a complex undertaking, and it is particularly important to the success of the law that enrollment into the Markteplaces be as user friendly as possible."Starting this fall, the some 15 million Americans who buy health insurance on the individual market will be able to shop for and enroll in health insurance through state-based exchanges, with coverage taking effect in January.
(CNN) -- Applications for health insurance coverage under President Barack Obama's sweeping healthcare law will go from 21 pages to three, according to a White House official, who said the change was part of an effort to simplify the implementation of Obamacare."The President wants the Administration to be as flexible and nimble as possible in implementing the ACA law," the White House official said, referring to the law's official name, the Affordable Care Act. "It is a complex undertaking, and it is particularly important to the success of the law that enrollment into the Markteplaces be as user friendly as possible."Starting this fall, the some 15 million Americans who buy health insurance on the individual market will be able to shop for and enroll in health insurance through state-based exchanges, with coverage taking effect in January.
High court keeps tobacco marketing restrictions intact
(CNN) -- The U.S. Supreme Court turned aside an appeal from tobacco companies seeking to block a federal law that further restricts the marketing, packaging and event promotion of cigarettes.The brief order from the court Monday means key provisions of the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act stay in place.The case is American Snuff Co.
(CNN) -- The U.S. Supreme Court turned aside an appeal from tobacco companies seeking to block a federal law that further restricts the marketing, packaging and event promotion of cigarettes.The brief order from the court Monday means key provisions of the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act stay in place.The case is American Snuff Co.
Boston terror fears raised at Senate immigration hearing
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A top Republican senator used the terror bombings in Boston to raise new questions on Friday about a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill, legislation that now faces growing questions from conservative critics.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A top Republican senator used the terror bombings in Boston to raise new questions on Friday about a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill, legislation that now faces growing questions from conservative critics.
Senate Majority Leader sets gun legislation aside for now
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid put proposed gun legislation on pause Thursday, setting it aside for now after the defeat a day earlier of major provisions sought by President Barack Obama and Democrats in the aftermath of the Newtown school massacre.The move emphasized the solid victory for the National Rifle Association and its conservative Republican allies in what Obama called "round one" of the fight for tougher gun laws.It also shifted the gun debate from details of particular proposals to political sniping by both sides in an attempt to generate public support on the divisive issue."The next stage is blame avoidance," noted Darrell West, the vice president and director of governance studies at the Brookings Institution. "Each side will seek to blame the other for the failure to address this important problem."In announcing his temporary shelving of the gun legislation, Reid criticized Republicans for orchestrating Wednesday's defeat of expanded background checks on gun buyers, a top priority of Obama and Democrats that national polls show is supported by about 90% of Americans.He said Obama agreed with him that "the best way to keep working towards passing a background check bill is to hit pause and freeze the background check bill where it is.""This debate is not over," the Nevada Democrat declared on the Senate floor, adding that the Republican opposition to expanded background checks was "not sustainable" in the face of public support for the measure.On Wednesday, Obama angrily accused Senate Republicans of doing the NRA's bidding in opposing a bipartisan compromise that would expand background checks for private transactions at gun shows and all Internet sales.In unusually harsh language, he accused the NRA and its allies of spreading lies about the compromise drafted by Democratic Sen.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid put proposed gun legislation on pause Thursday, setting it aside for now after the defeat a day earlier of major provisions sought by President Barack Obama and Democrats in the aftermath of the Newtown school massacre.The move emphasized the solid victory for the National Rifle Association and its conservative Republican allies in what Obama called "round one" of the fight for tougher gun laws.It also shifted the gun debate from details of particular proposals to political sniping by both sides in an attempt to generate public support on the divisive issue."The next stage is blame avoidance," noted Darrell West, the vice president and director of governance studies at the Brookings Institution. "Each side will seek to blame the other for the failure to address this important problem."In announcing his temporary shelving of the gun legislation, Reid criticized Republicans for orchestrating Wednesday's defeat of expanded background checks on gun buyers, a top priority of Obama and Democrats that national polls show is supported by about 90% of Americans.He said Obama agreed with him that "the best way to keep working towards passing a background check bill is to hit pause and freeze the background check bill where it is.""This debate is not over," the Nevada Democrat declared on the Senate floor, adding that the Republican opposition to expanded background checks was "not sustainable" in the face of public support for the measure.On Wednesday, Obama angrily accused Senate Republicans of doing the NRA's bidding in opposing a bipartisan compromise that would expand background checks for private transactions at gun shows and all Internet sales.In unusually harsh language, he accused the NRA and its allies of spreading lies about the compromise drafted by Democratic Sen.
Justices back corporations in overseas abuses case
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court made it harder Wednesday for foreign victims of torture and other crimes against humanity to press their legal claims against corporations and others in U.S. federal courts.The outcome could have significant global impact from a moral, political and financial perspective.At issue is the scope of a federal law that is increasingly being used in an effort to hold those accountable for human rights atrocities committed overseas.A dozen Nigerian political activists now living under asylum in the United States say foreign oil companies were complicit in violence at the hands of their former country's military.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court made it harder Wednesday for foreign victims of torture and other crimes against humanity to press their legal claims against corporations and others in U.S. federal courts.The outcome could have significant global impact from a moral, political and financial perspective.At issue is the scope of a federal law that is increasingly being used in an effort to hold those accountable for human rights atrocities committed overseas.A dozen Nigerian political activists now living under asylum in the United States say foreign oil companies were complicit in violence at the hands of their former country's military.