Obamacare Decision Today?

Ken AshfordHealth Care, Immigration and Xenophobia, Supreme CourtLeave a Comment

It's possible, but I suspect not.  Anyway, if you're reading this on Monday, June 25 before 10am, the place to be isn't here, but the live blog at SCOTUSBlog.

We'll know almost imeediately if they decided on Obamacare.

UPDATE:  No Obamacare decision today, it looks like.  But SCOTUS did reject a Montana case which could have weakened Citizen's United.  Unfortunately, the court rejected it 5-4 (you can guess who the five and four were — opinion (PDF) here.)

UPDATE #2:  The good news is that most of the oppressive Arizona law – making it a state crime for illegal immigrants not to possess their federal registration cards; for illegal imigrants to work, apply for work or solicit work; and a section that allowed state and local police to arrest illegal immigrants without a warrant when probable cause exists that they committed "any public offense that makes the person removable from the United States" — has been struck down as unconstitutional.  

Scalia is unpleased and reading his dissent from the bench.  Apparently, he mentioned Obama's decision last week about suspending deportation of illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as children — something that was not part of the case.  Bias much?

The opinion was 5-3.  Kagen took no part.  Those striking down (most of) the Arizona law were the other three liberals on the court (Ginsburg, Sotomayor, and Breyer) joined by Kennedy and (in a surprise) Roberts.  Opinion here.  This is a "win" for the Obama administration.

UPDATE #3:  Court also rules that juvenile offenders CANNOT be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.  Good.  5-4, of course.  You know who they are.

UPDATE #4:  Obamacare on Thursday.