The Supreme Court - An Apolitical Branch?

Last week, the U.S. Senate confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. The final vote was largely along partisan lines, with all Democratic Senators and three Republicans voting to confirm her nomination and all other Republican senators voting against. In 2020, President Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett who was confirmed along similar partisan lines with all Democratic Senators voting against her nomination. Have Supreme Court nominations always been this partisan? And is it a problem that they are political?

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Join the Debate!

As an extension activity, we encourage you to use our Think the Vote platform with your students. This online debate platform connects students from around the country. The current question asks "Has the confirmation process of the Supreme Court become too political?" Students can submit their answers for a chance to win a $25 gift card and a $1,000 grand prize at the end of the school year! This question runs from April 14th to April 28th. Submit answers here.

Further Resources

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness is designed to meet the course needs of a yearlong U.S. History or AP U.S. History class. The history of the United States is presented through a series of narratives, primary sources, and point-counterpoint debates that invites students to participate in the ongoing conversation about the American experiment.

Featured US Government Resource

Supreme Court DBQs: Exploring the Cases that Changed History helps your students develop the critical thinking skills they need to evaluate the Court's rulings and the impact of these rulings on American society.

Using this resource, students will analyze primary sources spanning five centuries--colonial codes of law, the Federalist Papers, the Constitution, contemporary photographs, case law, oral arguments, the Court's majority and dissenting opinions, and others. Key tasks for each DBQ will lead them towards an understanding of the role played by the Court and an assessment of its decisions. Each DBQ also contains a section called "The Issue Endures," which highlights current applications of the case issue.

Featured Student Opportunity

We are quickly approaching the We the Students Essay Contest deadline - Friday April 15th at 11:59 PST. We are asking students to write 500-800 words answering the question, "How does an understanding of natural rights and respect build a free society?" The grand prize is a $7,500 scholarship and the opportunity to attend the Constitutional Academy in Washington DC in July! Submissions must be entered by April 15th. Visit our website for more information.

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