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The Supreme Court’s 2022 term was one of landmark decisions, due in large part to the ruling inDobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization,which overturnedRoe v. Wadeand eliminated the constitutional right to abortion.
In recent months, the court has decided a number of significant cases, includingone that limited the power of the EPAfor a second year in a row. Between now and June 30, a few major cases remain undecided — and rulings will impact everything fromstudent debt reliefto LGBTQ+ discrimination.
Here’s a look at three major Supreme Court cases to pay close attention to in the coming weeks.
Student Debt Relief (Biden v. Nebraska)
Biden v. Nebraskawill determine whetherthe Biden administration’s plan to relieve up to $20,000 in debtfrom student loan borrowers can proceed as planned.
Rainbow Flag flies in the Castro.Norberto Cuenca/Getty Images
Norberto Cuenca/Getty Images
LGBTQ+ Discrimination (303 Creative v. Elenis)
In December, the court heard oral arguments in the case of Lorie Smith, a website designer who owns a company called 303 Creative and is challenging a Colorado law that prohibits businesses from discriminating against LGBTQ customers. Smith, a Christian, has argued she should not be forced to design wedding websites for LGBTQ couples.
With its ruling, the court will shape whether American businesses can legally deny service to LGBTQ people under the First Amendment.
303 Creative v. Elenisechoes the 2018Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commissioncase, in which the Supreme Court sided 7-2 with a baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. During that case, the couple told PEOPLE: “We don’t want another loving couple to have to go through what we did. It’s not about the cake; it’s about us being discriminated against because we’re gay.”
Harvard University.DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Affirmative Action (Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North CarolinaandStudents for Fair Admissions v. Harvard University)
These two cases both deal with affirmative action policies, which proponents argue helps increase opportunities to underrepresented groups, including people of color.Opponents arguethat affirmative action unfairly strips white people of those same opportunities.
For decades, universities have had policies that allow them to consider a prospective student’s race along with factors such as academic merit, athletics, and extracurriculars. The outcome of these cases could change that, effectively upending affirmative action policies that have in some cases been around since the Civil Rights era.
The way the court rules could have sweeping effects on admissions processes and the makeup of student bodies on college campuses across the country. The ACLU has argued that a decision blocking the use of affirmative action policies “will almost certainlymean a significant dropin the number of students of color being admitted to selective universities.”
source: people.com
