Testing the Balance

A column by: Lexi Clary

In 1986 Antonin Scalia was appointed into the U.S. Supreme Court as a Justice by Ronald Reagan. The Supreme Court is the highest Judicial body in the United States. The supreme court is the final judge in all cases involving laws of congress and the constitution. The power is limited by two branches of government: the democrats and the republicans.

It is sad to say that Justice Scalia was found dead on a Saturday in February at a resort in West Texas, the cause of death is believed to be natural. He was 79 years old.

The topic of who will replace the Justice is a big discussion in the presidential debate campaigns. There is a lot of controversy over who will appoint the new Justice. Republicans in the presidential debate say they should wait until a new president is appointed to determine the replacement of Justice Scalia but Obama and the Democrats argue the opposite and say that they need to appoint a new one now.  President Obama states that he plans to “fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time. There will be plenty of time for me to do so, and for the Senate to fulfill its responsibilities to give that person a fair hearing and a timely vote.”

Justice Scalia’s death sways the balance of the courts. The democrats had four appointees that were liberals and the republicans had five appointees that were conservative. Since Scalia’s death the courts are now evenly divided making any decision locked until a new successor is appointed.

According to Los Angeles Times one issue they are currently stuck on is an abortion case in Texas.  The courts were supposed to come together and decide whether states can adopt medical regulations that shut down most or all abortion clinics. Both the democrats and republicans saw this case as crucial. But without Justice Scalia there is not a majority to rule on the matter.  This is just one of many issues that Justice Scalia left behind in his death.

Scalia, was considered to be one of the more prominent legal thinkers of his generation. He was characterized as the author of the court’s conservative majority. Whoever is appointed the new Justice can cause some major changes in political parties affecting laws and decisions that are of controversy.

Justice Scalia: https://youtu.be/rUXlE15FB6w