Supreme Court Watch | PBS NewsHour Podcast | PBS

In Ariz. Immigration Case, Supreme Court Weighs Limits of Federal, State Powers

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:03:00 EDT

As the Supreme Court heard arguments on Arizona's contentious immigration law Wednesday, justices appeared skeptical of the Obama administration's claim that the state had overstepped federal law. Gwen Ifill and Marcia Coyle discuss the arguments and the four distinct parts that are being challenged.

Supreme Court to Weigh Contentious Arizona Immigration Law

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:32:00 EDT

The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Arizona's contentious immigration law Wednesday, with focus on so-called show-me-your-papers provisions that authorize police to verify the immigration status of anyone suspected of being undocumented and arrest anyone believed to have committed a deportable offense. Tom Bearden reports.

SCOTUS v. POTUS: The Role of the Supreme Court, Historically

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:38:00 EDT

President Obama made his feelings known this week on the Supreme Court, "judicial activism" and "those who would overturn" the health reform law. Some say he's gone too far. Jeffrey Brown discusses the historical tug-of-war between the president and the Court with Georgetown Law's Louis Michael Seidman and Randy Barnett.

Supreme Court Upholds Inmate Strip Searches Regardless of Charges

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:48:00 EDT

In a Supreme Court case that pit jail security needs against personal privacy rights, justices ruled 5-4 against Albert Florence, and said Florence's civil rights were not violated when he was strip searched after being arrested on an out-of-date warrant for an unpaid fine. Margaret Warner and Marcia Coyle discuss the decision.

Shields, Brooks on Supreme Court 'High Tension,' Health Reform's Future

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:28:00 EDT

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the week's top political news including the Supreme Court's big week of hearings on health care reform, the validity of the law's individual mandate, the dangers of the Court evolving into a "political institution" and the Paul Ryan budget.

Health Reform's Fate: How the Supreme Court Will Decide

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:03:00 EDT

After three days of hearings on health care reform, Supreme Court justices held a secret preliminary vote Friday to deliberate the Affordable Care Act's future. Their decision is expected in late June. Jeffrey Brown and The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle discuss the steps ahead as the justices begin their deliberations.

After Hearings, GOP Candidates Redouble Health Reform Critiques

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:03:00 EDT

As the Supreme Court decides how to rule on the health reform law following this week's hearings, Republican candidates Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney touched on the topic Thursday. Judy Woodruff, The Washington Post's Amy Gardner and The Boston Globe's Brian Mooney discuss how health care is being debated on the campaign trail.

Supreme Court Wraps Up Health Reform Law Hearings: What's Next?

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:03:00 EDT

In the final day of Supreme Court hearings on the Affordable Care Act, justices questioned the constitutionality of requiring states to expand Medicaid coverage to more individuals. Betty Ann Bowser reports, and Marcia Coyle and Susan Dentzer discuss with Gwen Ifill whether the law could survive without an insurance mandate.

Is Health Law's Individual Mandate Constitutional? Legal Scholars Debate

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:20:00 EDT

Justices at the Supreme Court Tuesday heard arguments over the health care law and whether requiring citizens to buy health insurance is constitutional. Former Solicitor General Walter Dellinger and Georgetown University's Randy Barnett debate the legality of the health reform law's so-called individual mandate.

Supreme Court Considers Health Reform Day 2 Recap: Individual Mandate on Trial

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:03:00 EDT

Arguments at the Supreme Court Tuesday dealt with whether Congress had the authority to require citizens to purchase health insurance and whether the government could issue a financial penalty for those who decline. Betty Ann Bowser reports then Marcia Coyle and Susan Dentzer discuss the crux of the hearings with Gwen Ifill.

Supreme Court Considers Health Reform Day 1 Recap: Jurisdiction, Tax Questions

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:03:00 EDT

Demonstrators gathered Monday outside the Supreme Court as justices kicked off three days of hearings on the health care reform law. Betty Ann Bowser reports then Marcia Coyle and Susan Dentzer discuss the day's proceedings and the core issues of the day's arguments with Gwen Ifill.

A Viewer's Guide to Supreme Court Arguments on Health Care Law

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:43:00 EDT

The Supreme Court is set to hear three days of arguments next week over challenges to the health reform law President Obama signed two years ago. Judy Woodruff, The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle and Health Affairs' Susan Dentzer preview the upcoming arguments.

Supreme Court Weighs Cheney Confrontation Arrest

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:16:00 EDT

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dealt a blow to the EPA, siding with an Idaho couple in a property-rights dispute. It also heard arguments over whether a Colorado man can sue the Secret Service over a 2006 confrontation with former Vice President Dick Cheney. Jeffrey Brown and Marcia Coyle sift through the justices' busy day.

Supreme Court Weighs Life Without Parole for Juvenile Murder Convicts

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:12:00 EDT

The Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday on whether 14-year-olds convicted of murder should be required to spend life in prison without the possibility of parole. Gwen Ifill and The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle discuss the arguments and the issues under consideration.

Are Children Conceived After Father's Death Entitled to Survivor's Benefits?

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:31:00 EDT

The Supreme Court heard arguments Monday on whether children conceived after the death of their biological father, using his frozen sperm, should be entitled to Social Security benefits. The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle said it's not the first time a court has faced reconciling an old law with new technology.

Supreme Court Weighs Corporate Liability in Human Rights Cases

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:39:00 EDT

The Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday, weighing whether victims of abuses overseas should have the right to use U.S. courts to prove companies should pay for alleged involvement in human rights atrocities. Gwen Ifill and The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle discuss the potential liability implications for corporations.

Supreme Court Hears Free Speech Case Over Stolen Valor Act

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:36:00 EDT

Falsely claiming a Congressional Medal of Honor could land you in jail according to the Stolen Valor Act, a federal law making it a crime to lie about a military decoration. Margaret Warner and Marcia Coyle discuss a case involving that law under review by the Supreme Court plus a case involving ownership of Montana riverbeds.

Want to Use a GPS-Tracking Device? Get a Warrant, Supreme Court Tells Police

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:20:00 EDT

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that police violated the Constitution by attaching a GPS-tracking device to a car owned by a Washington, D.C., club owner, eventually leading to a cocaine-trafficking conviction. Jeffrey Brown discusses their reasoning and the implications with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.

Supreme Court Ruling on Texas Electoral Maps 'Huge Setback' for Democrats

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:03:00 EDT

The Supreme Court rejected the new Texas redistricting map Friday, creating disarray for the upcoming primary election. Ray Suarez discusses the decision's political and legal implications with Richard Hasen of the University of California Irvine School of Law and Shira Toeplitz, a political reporter for Roll Call.

Supreme Court Upholds 'Ministerial Exception' From Anti-Bias Laws

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:37:00 EDT

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Wednesday that the Constitution provides ministers an exemption to anti-discrimination laws. Margaret Warner discusses the implications of the court's recognition of a "ministerial exception" with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.

What Role Should FCC Play in Policing Profanity on the Airwaves?

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:21:00 EDT

The Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a case involving freedom of speech on broadcast television and the constitutional debate over federal regulation of indecency. Jeffrey Brown discusses the arguments and the potential effects for the FCC with Marcia Coyle of The National Law Journal.

Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Texas Redistricting, Environmental Rules

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:35:00 EDT

The Supreme Court heard arguments Monday involving a redistricting dispute in Texas. Jeffrey Brown discusses the case's broad implications for the future political landscape of the state -- and potentially the entire nation -- with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.

Are Super PACs Living Up to Supreme Court's Intentions?

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:23:00 EDT

In Iowa, Super PACs pumped millions of dollars into last-minute negative television ads. What influence will they have in the rest of the GOP primary season and beyond? Judy Woodruff discusses the myriad of super PACs with the Sunlight Foundation's Bill Allison and CQ Roll Call's Eliza Newlin Carney.

Supreme Court Lines up Potentially 'Explosive' Election Year Docket

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:44:00 EDT

Supreme Court justices agreed Monday to take up a tough immigration law from Arizona that would, among other things, punish illegal immigrants who apply for work in the state. Gwen Ifill discuses this and other controversial cases with the National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle and author Jeff Shesol.

Supreme Court Hears Dispute Over Ownership of Montana's Rivers

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:25:00 EDT

Montana's rivers are pristine and iconic, but they are also at the center of a property rights dispute that wound up before the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Gwen Ifill discusses the details of the dispute with Marcia Coyle of The National Law Journal.

Health Reform Law to Face Constitutional Test in Supreme Court

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:03:00 EDT

On Monday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments next spring on the constitutionality of the health care reform law. Jeffrey Brown discusses the political and legal implications with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle and NPR's Julie Rovner.

Supreme Court Hears Landmark GPS Tracking Case

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:32:00 EDT

Can the government track a suspect using a GPS device without a warrant? That question was at the center of a high-profile case before the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Judy Woodruff discusses the oral arguments in the case with the National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.

Supreme Court Weighs Constitutionality of Routine Jailhouse Strip Searches

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:19:00 EDT

Do routine jailhouse strip searches for people accused of minor offenses violate the Constitution? Supreme Court justices heard a case Wednesday centering on that issue. Judy Woodruff discusses the case, which pits privacy rights against security concerns, with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.

Supreme Court Considers Case on Discrimination in Religious Schools

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:16:00 EDT

Judy Woodruff discusses a Supreme Court case that considers the founding principle of the separation of church and state with the National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.

Immigration, Affirmative Action on New High Court Docket; Health Reform Awaited

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:18:00 EDT

The U.S. Supreme Court returned to work Monday and the court has a docket full of controversial cases on topics ranging from obscenity to strip searches to warrantless surveillance. Gwen Ifill previews the new term with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle and Scotusblog.com's Tom Goldstein.