2013-2014 Supreme Court Term: Pending Constitutional Law Cases

There are an unusually high number of significant constitutional law cases pending in the United States Supreme Court. Over the course of the next few weeks I will summarize these cases and analyze the issues. Today I simply post a list of the upcoming cases.

1. McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission: 12-536 (Campaign Contribution Limits)

 Will the Supreme Court strike down laws that place limits on the amount of money that individual citizens may contribute to candidates for public office?

2. Daimler Chrysler AG v. Bauman, 11-965 (Personal Jurisdiction)

 May a federal court in one state exercise personal jurisdiction over a parent corporation because its wholly-owned subsidiary is present in that state, in a lawsuit dealing with the acts of another wholly-owned subsidiary that occurred in another jurisdiction?

3. Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action: 12-682 (Affirmative Action)

 Do the people of a state have the right under the Constitution to deprive an elected body, the State Board of Regents, from taking race into account for purposes of admissions to state universities?

4. Walden v. Fiore: 12-574 (Personal Jurisdiction)

 May a federal court in one state exercise personal jurisdiction over the actions of a federal agent that occurred in another state?

5. Bond v. United States, 12-158 (Congress’ Power to Enforce Treaties)

When Congress enacts legislation implementing a treaty, must it act within one of its enumerated powers, or does the Necessary and Proper Clause grant Congress the power to enact such legislation regardless of the enumerated powers? 

6. Greece, New York v. Galloway: 12-696 (Establishment Clause)

 Is it constitutional for a Town Board to invite members of the local clergy to start official meetings with sectarian prayers?

7. Northwest, Inc. v. Ginsberg: 12-462 (Preemption)

 Does federal law preempt the plaintiff's suit against an airline for termination of his membership in a frequent flyer program?

8. Air Wisconsin Airlines Corp. v. Hoeper: 12-315 (Defamation)

 Does federal law immunize the airline company from liability for defamation in this case, where the airline reported to TSA that it was concerned about the plaintiff's mental stability and that he might be armed?

9. National Labor Relations Board v. Canning: 12-1281 (Recess Appointments)

 Does the President have the power to make recess appointments during all recesses of the Senate, or only between sessions of Congress?

10. Executive Benefits Insurance Agency v. Arkison: 12-1200 (Bankruptcy Courts)

 Do the Bankruptcy Courts have the power under the Constitution to hear cases involving fraudulent conveyances?

11. McCullen v. Coakley: 12-1168 (Abortion Protests)

 Is it constitutional for a state to adopt a law requiring protesters to stay 35 feet away from reproductive health clinics?

12. Harris v. Quinn: 11-681 (Provider Representation)

 Is it constitutional for a state to recognize a union to be the exclusive representation for home health workers?

13. Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.: 13:354 (Religious Freedom Restoration Act)

Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp. v. Sebelius: 13:356 (RFRA)

Is it lawful under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act for a federal law to require for-profit business corporations to provide birth control coverage to their employees as part of their health insurance plans?