Director, Commonwealth Policy Center

The battle over the next U.S. Supreme Court nominee is on. This is because of the incredible power of the court and impact it has on the direction of our nation. The Supreme Court has become a catalyst for social change and much of it has been highly controversial. Consider that it struck down every state anti-abortion law in its Roe v. Wade ruling (1973); It struck down Ten Commandment's displays in public school classrooms in Stone v. Graham (1980); Student led prayer in Santa Fe v. Doe (2000); and state marriage laws in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). The Court has become a super-legislature of sorts, often imposing its own policy preferences and has launched a Second American Revolution in our understanding of rights and freedom. This is why the next Supreme Court nominee is so important and fireworks over the confirmation are sure to follow.