SCOTUS Hears Two Texas Cases This Week

What do district lines and college admissions have in common?

By Emily DonahueDecember 7, 2015 11:50 am,

Tomorrow, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in not one, but two cases with roots in Texas.

While Evenwel v. Abbott rethinks the boundaries for senate districts and Fisher v. University of Texas addresses affirmative action in higher education, both are being watched closely for the implications a ruling could have nationwide.

Ross Ramsey, executive editor of The Texas Tribune, says that despite the impact of any decision, the Supreme Court does not exist to change policy.

“The court’s there to make a decision that the law says this or says that, and with some disregard for whether that’s good policy, or not,” he says. “Congress sets policy, Congress sets the law, and we’re looking at the law as it stands.”

What you’ll hear in this segment:

– How Evenwel v. Abbott focuses on voters in particular

– Why SCOTUS sent Fisher v. University of Texas back to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

– The legal ramifications of both cases for the state and the country

Listen to the full interview in the player above.