March 2016 Church & State - March 2015

Death Of Justice Scalia Sparks Partisan Battle In D.C.

  AU admin

As this issue of Church & State was going to press, news broke about the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. The associate justice died in his sleep while visiting a hunting lodge in Texas Feb. 13. He was 79.

President Barack Obama announced that he plans to name a replacement for Scalia, but Republicans, who hold a majority in the U.S. Senate, have said they will not allow a vote on an Obama candidate. They believe the next president should fill the vacancy.

Scalia, who was appointed to the court by President Ronald W. Reagan in 1986, was a strong opponent of church-state separation; he was known for his acerbic opinions and combative style. His death means that the high court may deadlock 4-4 over several contentious issues. When that happens, the ruling of the lower court stands, but the decision sets no precedential value.

Americans United issued a statement urging the Senate to move forward with an appointment. AU said it would be unprecedented for the court to be understaffed for nearly a year.

Americans United is also in touch with groups that advocate for filling the slot now.

Look for more details in the April issue of Church & State.

BREAKING!

We’re suing to stop Christian Nationalists from creating religious public charter schools

Okla. is violating the separation of church and state by creating the nation’s 1st religious charter school. If we don’t stop them, religious public schools like this could appear in states around the country. Join the fight:

Join the Fight