The Supreme Court is set to commence its election-season term with a range of significant cases on the docket. Key issues to be addressed include transgender rights, the regulation of 'ghost guns,' and the death penalty. Against the backdrop of potential court intervention in voting disputes, the justices are returning amidst a period of declining public trust in the court.
Notable cases in the upcoming term involve the Biden administration's efforts to regulate 'ghost guns,' which have been linked to increasing crime rates. Additionally, the court will revisit the case of Oklahoma death row inmate Richard Glossip, where prosecutors have acknowledged errors in his trial.
One of the most high-profile cases to be argued is centered on state bans on gender-affirming care for transgender individuals. This case, likely to be heard in December, will address restrictions on health care for transgender minors, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy.
Furthermore, the court will consider an appeal from the adult entertainment industry challenging a Texas law that mandates age verification for users of pornographic websites. The docket for the term remains partially unfilled, with the potential for additional significant cases to be added.
Another crucial issue on the horizon is a challenge to the Federal Communications Commission's funding methods for telephone and broadband services. This case presents an opportunity for the justices to revisit the nondelegation doctrine, which limits Congress's authority to delegate power to federal agencies.
As the Supreme Court convenes, the justices face mounting pressures and tensions within the institution. Calls for term limits and concerns over the court's ethical standards have underscored the challenges ahead. Despite the lighter schedule of high-profile cases this term, the court remains poised to address critical legal issues that intersect with the political landscape.
