The Supreme Court began its new term on Monday, bringing up several cases that could carry major decisions on a variety of topics from gender-affirming care to vaping.
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Among the biggest topics included in the cases going before the court include one on gender-affirming care. The justices will decide if the constitution allows bans on gender-affirming care for minors in a case challenging a Tennessee law.
The law in question bans gender-affirming care for minors, but the Biden administration has argued it violates the equal protection rights of transgender people.
“The laws are inflicting profound harms on transgender adolescents and their families by denying medical treatments that the affected adolescents, their parents, their doctors, and medical experts have all concluded are appropriate and necessary to treat a serious medical condition,” the Justice Department wrote in court filings.
Another case the court will hear involves a Texas law that requires pornographic websites to verify the age of their users, ensuring they are at least 18 years old. It also requires porn sites to post health warnings about porn, including information about it being addictive, impairing development, and more.
That law was signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) but was blocked by a federal judge in March after it was challenged by the Free Speech Coalition, which is representing the industry.
The Supreme Court’s decision in the case could have major implications for First Amendment protections.
One of the first cases on the docket addresses the legality of "ghost guns," firearms made from a kit that don't have a serial number. The weapons have become a major issue for law enforcement as the self-assembled firearms are almost impossible to trace and have become increasingly popular among criminals.
President Biden’s administration authorized a law to regulate the weapons, but the Justice Department was forced to appeal to the Supreme Court after a lower panel invalidated the regulations, siding with a group of firearm owners, gun rights groups, and gun manufacturers who sued over the rules.
Another case being brought before the court involves the Food and Drug Administration’s marketing denial of two companies that sell flavored tobacco vaping products. The FDA found the companies failed to offer the appropriate evidence needed to overcome the risks of youth addiction and show a benefit to adult smokers.
The rulings were challenged and rejected at the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. After that ruling, the agency appealed to the Supreme Court.
As of Sunday, the Supreme Court docket has agreed to review 43 appeals, with decisions expected to be delivered by the summer. More cases will be added to the court’s list as the term continues.
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