U.S. Supreme Court

In Brief

The Supreme Court of the United States is the nation's highest judicial body. Its nine justices serve life terms and are appointed by the president of the United States with the concurrence of the U.S. Senate. The nomination and confirmation of new justices is always accompanied by political maneuvering and sometimes heated debates as the high court's rulings can fundamentally influence many aspects of American social, political and economic life. Brookings experts examine many of the political and procedural issues connected to the court.

A marijuana leaf is displayed at Canna Pi medical marijuana dispensary in Seattle, Washington, November 27, 2012. (REUTERS/Anthony Bolante).

Opinion

Let’s Go Down the Aisle Toward Legalized Pot

April 5, 2013, Jonathan Rauch

As Colorado and Washington act in defiance of federal marijuana policy, Jonathan Rauch explains that the federal government should view it not as a threat but as an opportunity.

Recent Activity

Refine by: U.S. Judiciary | Courts | U.S. Politics | Law and Justice

Blog Post

Redirecting Students to Less Demanding Colleges Not a Strategy for Success in the Sciences

March 13, 2013, Matthew M. Chingos | comments
Blog Post

Are Minority Students Harmed by Affirmative Action?

March 7, 2013, Matthew M. Chingos | comments
Blog Post

The Supreme Court Takes Up Same-Sex Marriage

December 11, 2012, Jonathan Rauch | comments
Opinion | Forbes

Are We All Copyright Infringers?

October 28, 2012, John Villasenor
In the News

I have no doubt the next president will decide what happens to Roe v. Wade by his appointments to the Supreme Court.
October 3, 2012, Elisabeth Jacobs, Glamour
Expert Q & A

Preview of New Supreme Court Term

September 28, 2012, Russell Wheeler
Past Event

Web Chat: Health Care and the States

July 11, 2012
In the News

[Mitt Romney] belongs to a very conservative party that hates this [health care] bill, many members of which have sworn that they’d rather eat ground glass than let this law go forward. But there is the conflicting problem of, ‘If you break it, you own it.’ [He will own] anything that goes wrong with the health-care system down the road.
July 10, 2012, Henry J. Aaron, Washington Post
Blog Post

States and the Affordable Care Act: An Offer They (Still) Can’t Refuse

July 2, 2012, Tracy Gordon | comments
In the News

…[D]on't be too surprised if [Chief Justice] Roberts [in his] next terms looks like a conservative again. He actually did not stray very far from where the other four conservatives ended up in this [ACA] case — just over a consequential line.
July 1, 2012, Benjamin Wittes, Bloomberg Businessweek