U.S. Supreme Court wrestles with controversial matters as new term begins

The Supreme Court is back in session and some big topics are up for debate.

By Emily Faith Grodin, Staff Writer

Justices will deal with extensive topics during this upcoming year. (Graphic Illustration by Matthew Royer/The Valley Star)

With the U.S. Supreme Court reconvening after its summer recess, the justices will have heavy topics to weigh in the new term.

The two most explosive topics the court will tackle are abortion and gun control. With the current justices there exists an uneven ideological split; six have been picked by Republican presidents and three have been chosen by Democrats.

After decades of debate, abortion continues to be on the docket in the Supreme Court. On Sept. 1, the Supreme Court allowed a law to take effect in Texas that would ban women from having an abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which could be as early as six weeks of pregnancy according to the Texas Tribune. The law took effect after a 5-4 vote with dissenting opinions from Justices Sonia Sotomayer, Elena Kagan, Stephen Breyer, and John Roberts. Effectively banning abortions, the law provides citizens the power to sue any person who helps to facilitate an abortion.

Sherman Oaks Attorney Jodi Bynder, feels strongly about the restrictions.

“There are so many problems with the Texas law,” said Bynder. ”From the six week marker, to the reward, to the fact one can have no relation to the pregnant women and still be a whistleblower—I don’t know where to even start… Even more frightening are the number of states anxiously wanting to follow suit.”

Another debate to come before the Supreme Court are arguments surrounding the Second Amendment. One New York case could be responsible for changing the way gun restrictions are thought of in the future.

New York implements some of the toughest gun restrictions in the country. These laws led Gun owners Robert Nash and Brandon Koch to take action when they were unable to obtain unrestricted concealed carry permits, connecting with the NRA in hopes of a lawsuit. In New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, the plaintiffs contend the restriction to carry a concealed handgun infringes upon their right to bear arms. The Supreme Court will rule on this in 2022 with this New York case setting the stage on the matter for the nation as a whole.

English Major Stephanie Lewis feels regulations should be made stricter, not looser.

“I am pretty comfortable with California gun regulations,” said Lewis, “which some say are the strictest in the United States. Maybe they should be made stronger.”

With other cases on the court’s docket relating to religious liberty, affirmative action and the death penalty, many eyes will be on the Supreme Court in the coming year.