The Supreme Court's To-Do List is Chock Full of Repeats

The Supreme Court opened its 2015 term on 
Monday.(Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images)

On high court's docket: Race, labor, politics -- and abortion?

The Supreme Court embarks on a new term Monday that would make Yogi Berra proud: It truly is déjà vu all over again.

The justices will rule on affirmative action for the third time in four years. They will rule on public employee union fees for the third time in five years. They will deliver verdicts on class-action lawsuits and death penalty appeals, as they do virtually every year.

Before the term is out next June, they likely will consider the Affordable Care Act's so-called "contraceptive mandate" for the second time in three years and update what they meant a generation ago in ruling that states could not place an "undue burden" on women seeking abortions.

"It's kind of a term of sequels," says John Elwood, an appellate lawyer who argues frequently before the court. "There are many cases or questions presented from past terms ... that weren't decided the first time, and they're back now to be answered, hopefully, this upcoming term."

Other issues that could reach the court this term or next include President Obama's effort to shield millions of illegal immigrants from deportation, challenges to voter-identification laws and other restrictions, and efforts by merchants such as bakers and florists to turn down same-sex weddings.

Voters wait in line to cast ballots in Austin, Texas. last 

November. A Supreme Court case could reduce the 

political clout of urban areas with large numbers 

of immigrants. (Photo: Tamir Kalifa, AP)

So far, the cases granted for oral argument this fall point the court led by Chief Justice John Roberts back in a conservative direction after a year heralded by liberals — for the landmark gay marriage and Obamacare rulings as well as others on housing and employment discrimination, judicial fundraising, and the way legislative and congressional districts are drawn.

The three most important cases already on the docket represent challenges to lower court decisions that the court's more conservative justices appear eager to hear:

Read the rest of the story and find out the specific cases HERE and view a related video below:

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