It's Supreme Court Season, and this week has been especially monumental for President Obama since he saw victories in causes he has personally advocated. So who better to illustrate a look back at the week in SCOTUS than Obama himself? A lot of huge decisions were handed down this week, and it can be confusing to keep track of the details and what it means for you and those around you. So allow POTUS and me to break it down.
Thursday, June 25
Fair Housing Law
First up, the ruling that received less fanfare than others this week: SCOTUS voted 5-4 to uphold the 1968 Fair Housing Act that allows for "federal action against 'disparate impact' as well as overt discrimination" (Source). Essentially, whether intentional or not, housing discrimination is illegal. Plaintiffs do not have to show evidence of intentional discrimination- which would be pretty difficult to do. "From discriminatory lending practices to zoning laws that favor higher-income home buyers, persistent patterns work to hurt minorities and other vulnerable groups the law was written to protect" (Source). This law was upheld so it will stay in effect.
What does this mean for you?
Let's say you're a person of color, a member of the LGBTQIA community, or of lower economic status, without this law, a landlord could refuse to give you housing, even if you met financial requirements. The court upheld your right to take legal action against someone attempting to infringe upon your right to fair housing. It pays to know your rights!
The case SCOTUS ruled on this past week, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, involved a group suing because, under the fair-housing law, "it is illegal to refuse to sell, rent, 'or otherwise make unavailable' housing to anyone because of race, sex, or other protected categories" (Source).
Affordable Care Act
Next, the president's Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare, was upheld in a 6-3 vote in the court in the case of King v. Burwell.
What does this mean for you?
Here are some facts from whitehouse.gov about the ACA:
- Insurance companies no longer have unchecked power to cancel your policy, deny your child coverage due to a pre-existing condition, or charge women more than men.
- Over 86 million Americans have gained from coverage of preventive care free of charge, like mammograms for women and wellness visits for seniors.
- Nearly 13 million Americans will receive a rebate this summer because their insurance company spent too much of their premium dollars on administrative costs or CEO bonuses.
- The law has already helped 5.3 million seniors and people with disabilities save an average of over $600 on prescription drugs in the “donut hole” in Medicare coverage.
- The law’s provisions to strengthen and protect Medicare by fighting fraud will continue.
- The law has helped 6.6 million young adults who have been able to stay on their parents’ plans until the age of 26, including 3.1 million young people who are newly insured.
These are good statistics for the White House and, ya know, people who enjoy affordable healthcare i.e. pretty much everyone.
- You can remain on your parent's insurance until you're 26
- Many women will continue to have access to free birth control
- Your health care prices stay down
- You can keep your health care insurance
The "swing" votes came from Justice Anthony Kennedy who voted against the ACA in 2012 and Justice John Roberts, traditionally conservative, who stated, "Congress passed the Affordable Care Act to improve health insurance markets, not to destroy them." (Source)
Dissenting Justice Antonin Scalia remarked, "We should start calling this law SCOTUScare." (Sorry, doesn't have a good ring to it like ~Obamacare~)
Now millions of Americans can remain insured with access to affordable healthcare.
Since this is a cornerstone of the Obama administration's platform, it's safe to say the president is pleased. Healthcare for everyone!
Friday, June 26
Marriage Equality
The Supreme Court of the United States ruled in a 5-4 decision on the Obergefell v. Hodges case where Obergefell, an Ohio man, filed a lawsuit to be listed as the surviving spouse on his husband’s death certificate. Same-sex couples and their marriages, previously, were not recognized nationally.
What does this mean for you?
Before the ruling, it was left to individual states to determine the legality of same-sex marriages in their boundaries. There were still 14/50 states where it was illegal. The ruling from SCOTUS last week is basically the final word on the issue. If you are a member of the LGBTQIA community, you can get married and have that marriage recognized in all 50 states and even Puerto Rico.
The decision came down from the nation’s highest court on Friday, and (this will shock you) the internet has quite a few things to say about it.
Let’s start with the justices who voted against marriage equality.
John Roberts: “It’s pretentious to believe that we know better than those who opposed gay marriage before us.”
Samuel Alito: “It will be harder for homophobes to avoid the ‘bigot’ label now.”
Antonin Scalia: “You don’t need to be married to be intimate, just ask the nearest hippie.”
Clarence Thomas: “Slaves did not lose their dignity… because government allowed them to be enslaved.”
(Quotes via Fusion)
The five other justices who voted in favor wrote beautiful arguments, including Justice Anthony Kennedy’s ending remarks:
Outside of the courtroom, there are also, of course, those who are so outraged about the ruling that they are threatening to move to a different country AKA the adult version of, “I hate you, mom and dad! I'm running away from home! Then I’ll never have a bedtime!”
Unfortunately, some people seem to forget that Canada and Mexico legalized same-sex marriage a loooong time ago. And other countries who have not legalized it, like Australia, currently have universal healthcare and strict gun control- other things they probably won't like.
Conservative politicians were grumpy.
Otherwise, people rejoiced around the world, changing their profile pictures to a rainbow, sharing their joy and, hello, tying the knot!
Getting on social media Friday was like opening a rainbow explosion.
Celebrities shared their joy:
Brands showed celebrated the victory:
Living in a conservative area of Indiana, this decision has meant a lot to my friends and family who are LGBTQIA and allies. Many thought this day would never happen in their lifetimes. For those who have fought for decades, Friday represented a huge milestone in LGBTQIA rights and a moment to smile, cry, and hug loved ones a little tighter.
America and their supporters around the world are celebrating this weekend, deservedly so. But our work is not done. The fight for equality continues in the United States and around the world. If we want to see more happy moments like we did on Friday, we have to let our voices be heard, not just during elections (but please don’t forget to vote).
We have to use this momentum to fight the next battles and battles still to come like LGBTQIA teen homelessness, job and housing discrimination, violence, and income disparity. But if we stand together and fight for this cause, I know we can do it, America!
While you may not agree with the president's politics, it's undeniable that last week's SCOTUS decisions in favor of his policies benefit millions in our country. And this makes me proud to be an American.
