Governmental policy and legislation report No. 16

U.S. Supreme Court opinions. The United States Supreme Court has issued several opinions that are significant to the Church and its people. Each of these cases will have an impact and they will all affect legislation at the federal and state level in the coming years.

Dobbs v. Jackson health system overturned Roe v. Wade, which fifty years ago had asserted a constitutional right to abortion and had led to the deaths of thousands of unborn lives. Archbishop Hartmayer immediately issued a statement welcoming the decision and emphasizing the services available to pregnant women. Bishop Stephen D. Parkes of Savannah offered a reflection on the adoption of the new decision.

In Carson v. Makin, the Court ruled that, “a neutral benefit program that gives public funds to religious organizations through the independent choices of the recipients of those benefits does not violate the Constitution’s establishment clause.” The decision seems to expand the right of religious schools to receive government funding on the same basis as other private schools. The case does not interfere with G.R.A.C.E. Scholars or any other funding church schools currently enjoy.

Biden v. Texas is an important case for the thousands of people seeking asylum in the United States but confined in Mexico whatever their nationality. The Supreme Court, in a five to four decision, ruled that the Biden administration can change the Trump era policy known as the Migrant Protection Protocols, or the “Remain in Mexico” policy, for asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border.

In Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, the Supreme Court held that a football coach who offered prayer in the center of the field after each game did not violate the first amendment when he did not lead the players in prayer, encourage them to join him and did not shirk other duties.

Post expires at 9:21am on Monday December 30th, 2024