The Eight-Justice Supreme Court Strikes Again
People for and against unions hold up signs in front of the Supreme Court building Jan. 11, in Washington, DC.
Photographer: Mark Wilson/Getty ImagesIn its latest deadlock of the post-Scalia era, the Supreme Court split 4-4 on an issue of vital importance to public-employee unions and their foes. In its inaction, the high court left in place one of its own key pro-union precedents and, more broadly, highlighted the stakes surrounding President Obama's pending nomination to replace Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in February.
Some Supreme Court observers were disappointed by today's irresolution. "The most important labor union controversy to reach the Supreme Court in years sputtered to an end on Tuesday, with a 4-4 split, no explanation, and nothing settled definitely," veteran court analyst Lyle Denniston wrote on Scotusblog.