Legal News
Reports on lawmaking, constitutional issues, and court cases. The Daily Signal combines news reporting with conservative commentary and legal analysis.
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- Opinion
In-Depth: Key Questions and Remarks From the Supreme Court Oral Arguments on Marriage
Tuesday’s oral arguments at the Supreme Court were excellent. There were so many good points made about what marriage is and why redefining marriage would cause harms. This litany of harms stands in stark contrast to the outrageous lower court rulings that had declared no rational basis to state marriage laws defining marriage as it…Ryan T. Anderson -
- News
As Supreme Court Debates, 2016 Presidential Hopefuls Define Marriage Views
The national debate over same-sex marriage has landed back in the Supreme Court, but few major presidential candidates routinely put the issue on the front burner. “[T]he progressive left is seeking to force their view of marriage upon all Americans.”–@tedcruz Among more than a dozen possible Republican hopefuls, only three spoke out forcefully in recent days…Ken McIntyre -
- News
Ryan T. Anderson’s Instant Analysis of Supreme Court’s Same-Sex Marriage Case
The Daily Signal caught up with The Heritage Foundation’s Ryan T. Anderson moments after Supreme Court justices concluded oral arguments on same-sex marriage. Anderson, Heritage’s William E. Simon senior research fellow in American principles and public policy, spent the morning in the courtroom and shared his take with us on the debate and Justice Anthony Kennedy’s questions.Paul Runko -
- Opinion
The Key Supreme Court Briefs Supporting State Man-Woman Marriage Laws
The briefs are in—over 150 in all—and today the Supreme Court will hear the arguments in the cases on states’ freedom to make marriage policy. Here are highlights of points made in the amicus briefs supporting man-woman marriage laws that the Court should consider: More than 50 million Americans voted to retain the man-woman definition of marriage—61…Paul Runko -
- Opinion
Why Today’s Supreme Court Case on Same-Sex Marriage Matters
Today the U.S. Supreme Court will meet for more than two hours to hear oral arguments about same-sex marriage. So why does this matter? Sarah Torre, a policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation, explains what you need to know about the case. >>> Don’t Silence the 50 Million Who Voted for One Man-One Woman MarriagePaul Runko -
- News
Marriage Debate Marches Into Nation’s Capital Ahead of Supreme Court Case
As the debate over same-sex marriage heats up across the country, advocates for traditional marriage gathered in the nation’s capitol to make their voices heard. With the U.S. Supreme Court taking on the issue in a landmark gay marriage case in the coming weeks, The Daily Signal asked attendees of the 2015 March for Marriage—and some protesting the…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
Regardless of How the Supreme Court Scrutinizes Man–Woman Marriage Laws, They Are Constitutional
The amicus brief filed on behalf of Governor C. L. Otter of Idaho in the same-sex marriage case before the Supreme Court is remarkable for two reasons. First, aside from Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and the governors who are named parties (and thus had no choice), he is the only sitting governor with the chutzpah…Gene Schaerr -
- Opinion
Cartoon: The Supreme Court and Gay Marriage
Ryan T. Anderson, the William E. Simon senior research fellow in American Principles and Public Policy at The Heritage Foundation, wrote about the same-sex marriage case earlier this week: On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments about gay marriage. Here’s what you need to know. 1. There simply is nothing in the U.S….Glenn Foden -
- Opinion
What You Need to Know About Gay Marriage and the Supreme Court
One week from today, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments about gay marriage. Here’s what you need to know. 1. There simply is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that requires all 50 states to redefine marriage. Whatever people may think about marriage as a policy matter, everyone should be able to recognize the Constitution…Ryan T. Anderson -
- Opinion
Should Buying Bath Salts Land You in Jail? Four Cases the Supreme Court Will Hear in April
The Supreme Court justices will be hard at work churning out decisions through the end of June, but April brings to a close oral arguments for the 2014-2015 term. Over the next two weeks, the justices will hear oral arguments in seven cases, including cases involving criminal law, overregulation, same-sex marriage and the death penalty….Tiffany Bates -
- Opinion
Can EPA Ignore Costs of This Very Expensive Regulation? Supreme Court to Decide.
In 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency published its final Mercury and Air Toxics Standards that regulate the emissions of hazardous air pollutants from power plants. There was one “slight” problem. By EPA’s own estimates, the economic costs would be $9.6 billion annually, making this one of the costliest rules ever issued by the EPA. This…Daren Bakst -
- Opinion
Obama Administration Courts Iran While Slapping Israel
As the Obama administration mounts a final diplomatic push to secure a nuclear agreement with Iran, bilateral Israeli-American relations continue to deteriorate. This week Secretary of State John Kerry joined Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in Lausanne, Switzerland for an intensive round of negotiations ahead of the March 31 deadline for a framework agreement on…James Phillips -
- Opinion
Should Dentists Be Regulators of Teeth Whitening Providers? What the Supreme Court Ruled.
Should someone need a license to whiten your teeth? In February, the Supreme Court sided with the Federal Trade Commission in its antitrust lawsuit against the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners. The Board, which regulates the practice of the dental industry in North Carolina, was sued by the Commission after sending cease-and-desist letters to…David Allen -
- Opinion
Memo to Supreme Court: Nothing in the Constitution Requires States to Redefine Marriage
Next month, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments about the constitutional status of state laws defining marriage as the exclusive union of husband and wife. The overarching question before the Supreme Court is not whether an exclusively male–female marriage policy is the best, but only whether it is allowed by the U.S. Constitution….Gene Schaerr -
- Opinion
What You Need to Know About Marriage and the Supreme Court
Does the Constitution require the government to recognize same-sex marriages? With the Supreme Court set to hear arguments this term on cases about same-sex marriage, it’s a pressing question. In February, Ryan T. Anderson, the William E. Simon fellow at The Heritage Foundation, spoke to students and faculty at The Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio…Caitlin Thomas -
- Opinion
The Supreme Court Heard King v. Burwell. Here’s What the Justices Asked About and Commented On.
Today the Supreme Court heard oral argument in King v. Burwell, an important case dealing with the Obama administration’s attempt to hand out tax credits not authorized by the text of the law. This is the third appearance of Obamacare before the Supreme Court and the justices were so intrigued by the case that Chief…Andrew Kloster -
- Opinion
Did Abercrombie Discriminate Against an Applicant Because of Her Religion? Supreme Court Justices Hear Case
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, an anti-discrimination case involving a Muslim teenager who applied to be a model at the clothing store. Samantha Elauf was not offered a job and filed a complaint with the Commission, alleging that Abercrombie refused to hire…Elizabeth Slattery -
- Opinion
FCC Votes Against Innovation: Net Neutrality Debate Now Moves to Courts and Congress
Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to place massive “net neutrality” restrictions on America’s Internet providers, in the process redefining them as public utilities. If the decision stands, it would be a significant blow for the Internet and for its users. The issue is far from settled, however: the FCC’s rules will almost certainly…James Gattuso -
- News
N.Y. Attorney General’s Office Denies It Has Records Showing Union Collusion in Papa John’s Lawsuit
Did the New York Attorney General’s Office collude with a local union leader to develop the basis for a lawsuit against a Papa John’s Pizza franchisee? If not — if the union leader was not involved in the investigation of the pizza franchises’ pay and employee practices before it became public– why was the union…Kevin Mooney -
- Opinion
California Supreme Court Attempts to Ban State Judges From Volunteering with Boy Scouts
Last week, the California Supreme Court voted to bar any California state judge from belonging to youth organizations that “invidiously discriminate,” apparently with the Boy Scouts of America in mind. This policy is the latest example of ideologues using government coercion to force public servants to conform their private lives to government ideology—or resign from…Ryan T. Anderson