The Major Supreme Court Decisions in 2022

Where the public stands

Question wording: Under federal law, the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) has the authority to set emissions standards using "the best system of emission reduction." Some people think this means that the E.P.A. can set emissions limits on individual power plants and can also more broadly regulate emissions across the entire energy sector. Other people think that the E.P.A. can set limits on individual power plants but cannot more broadly regulate emissions across the entire energy sector. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Where the public stands

Question wording: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security required noncitizens trying to reside in the U.S. to wait in Mexico while immigration officials process their cases. The Biden administration issued an order ending this "Remain in Mexico" program. In response, several states sued, saying that the administration did not have adequate justification in ending the program. Some people think that the Biden administration should be able to end this program. Other people think that the Biden administration should not be able to do so. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Where the public stands

Question wording: The defendant, a non-Native American, committed a crime against a Native American on Native American land. The State of Oklahoma would like to pursue criminal charges against the defendant. The defendant says that the state cannot prosecute him because the crime occurred on Native American land, and so only the federal government can prosecute him. Some people think that states cannot prosecute crimes that happen on Native American land, even if the perpetrator is non-Native American. Others think that states should be able to prosecute such cases. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Where the public stands

Question wording: The football coach at a public high school led prayers with players before and after games. The school district asked him to stop, and the coach refused. He was then suspended. Some people think the school district was right to suspend the coach because of the First Amendment’s separation of church and state. Other people do not think the district was right to do so because of the coach’s right to free exercise of religion. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Where the public stands

Question wording: A new law in Mississippi bans nearly all abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Some people think that this law is unconstitutional. Others think it is constitutional. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Question wording: Should the Supreme Court overrule Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that established a constitutional right to abortion and prohibited states from banning abortion before the fetus can survive outside the womb, at around 23 weeks of pregnancy? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Where the public stands

Question wording: New York requires a person to show a need for self-protection in order to receive a license to carry a concealed firearm outside the home. Some people think that this law violates people’s Second Amendment rights. Others think it does not violate people’s Second Amendment rights. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Where the public stands

Question wording: The State of Maine pays private school tuition for students in rural areas that do not have public secondary schools. Maine prohibits students from using this public money to attend schools that are religious (or "sectarian"). Some people think that this is a violation of the First Amendment protections of the free exercise of religion. Other people think that this is a valid policy to maintain the separation between church and state. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Where the public stands

Question wording: Upon request, the City of Boston often flies flags of different organizations in front of its City Hall. The city refused to fly a religious organization’s flag bearing a Christian cross. Some people say that Boston’s refusal to fly a religious organization’s flag violated the organization’s First Amendment rights. Other people believe that it did not violate the organization’s First Amendment rights. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Where the public stands

Question wording: An elected member of a community college board criticized other board members and was subsequently censured (given a formal reprimand). Some people think the board violated the First Amendment rights of the elected member. Other people believe that the board did not violate the member’s First Amendment rights. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Where the public stands

Question wording: Texas law barred a death row inmate from having his pastor in the chamber during his execution and placing his hands on him while praying out loud. Some people think that barring religious clergy from entering the execution chamber and touching death row inmates violates the First Amendment protections of the free exercise of religion. Other people think that it does not. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Where the public stands

Question wording: A terrorism suspect currently being held in Guantánamo Bay says the C.I.A. used enhanced interrogation techniques and wants it investigated. The government has declassified some information, but it claims it has a right to protect state secrets in the name of national security and is not compelled to provide evidence connected to the investigation. Some people think that the government has a right to protect state secrets in the name of national security and is not compelled to provide evidence. Other people think that the government must provide evidence in such situations. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Where the public stands

Question wording: Former President Donald Trump attempted to block the release of documents concerning his role in the events of Jan. 6, 2021, on the grounds that he has executive privilege. Some people think that executive privilege allows a former president to block the release of such records. Other people think that a former president does not have the authority to block the release of such records. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Where the public stands

Question wording: The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a rule mandating that all employers with at least 100 employees require that their employees either be vaccinated against Covid-19 or else be tested weekly and wear masks at work. Some people think this mandate is unlawful because it exceeds OSHA’s authority. Other people think this is a reasonable use of the agency’s authority to protect workplace safety and health. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Where the public stands

Question wording: The federal Department of Health and Human Services (H.H.S.) has issued a rule mandating that health care workers at hospitals and other facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid be vaccinated against Covid-19 unless they qualify for religious or medical exemptions. Some people think this mandate is unlawful because it exceeds H.H.S.’s authority. Other people think this is a reasonable use of the agency’s authority to ensure the safety of patients. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll