The Supreme Court in the United States is the highest court, given the final say on what laws mean and if they align with the Constitution. The power of the Supreme Court to interpret laws is not inherent but has been established over time. The Supreme Court's role is to referee and adjust laws, making it crucial constitutionally and politically.
The Supreme Court justices serve for life, making their appointment an irreversible decision that will affect decades of law. The president nominates a new justice, with no restrictions on who the nominee can be. However, the Senate must approve the nominee. The Judiciary Committee conducts a thorough investigation of the nominee, asking about their past actions and opinions on various topics.
1. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States and is given the final say on what laws really mean and if they're in line with the Constitution .
2. The Supreme Court's power to interpret laws was not given but taken .
3. The Supreme Court has the duty to say what the Law is .
4. The Supreme Court is supremely important, constitutionally and politically .
5. The Supreme Court is composed of nine court justices who both referee and adjust the laws .
6. Each justice serves for life, making appointing a new one an irreversible decision .
7. The president has the sole, absolute power to select a nominee for the Supreme Court .
8. The president can nominate whoever they want, but Congress must approve the nominee .
9. The Senate votes on the nominee, with the Judiciary Committee conducting an arduous job interview .
10. The Senate can reject the nominee, and the president must pick someone new to start over .
11. The Senate doesn't work all year round, taking seasonal recesses .
12. If a Supreme Court seat opens while the Senate is on recess, the president can instantly appoint someone straight into the Court .
13. The Senate doesn't like recess appointments .
14. The Senate found a constitutional loophole: the pro-forma session .
15. The Senate can take a three-day break any time it likes, but a four-day break requires approval from the House of Representatives .
16. The Senate can take just as many breaks as it ever did, but is never officially at recess .
17. The Supreme Court ruled that the Senate is in session if the President Pro Tempore is in charge .
18. The Senate blocked recess appointments to always get to perform their confirmations .
19. The two-thirds vote needed in the Senate to approve a Supreme Court justice was whittled down to three-fifths, then dropped down to half plus one .
20. Congress can impeach and remove Supreme Court justices .
21. The Constitution has the power where the president can force the Congress back to the capital and then can forcibly dismiss them when done .