New SCOTUS Term

1. What is the earliest that Brett Kavanaugh could join the Supreme Court if he is approved by the Senate?

• Kavanaugh can join the SCOTUS in a week at the earliest.

2. What does the Supreme Court do without a 9th justice?

• The SCOTUS performs perfectly fine with 8 justices.

3. What is the potential problem with having only 8 justices?

• The only problem is if they are in the situation where there is a 4-4 vote on a case and they can't make a ruling. They can just wait a few months until it is possible to make a 5-4 vote with the 9th judge.

4. How many cases are already scheduled to be heard by the Court?

• 23 cases.

5. If Judge Kavanaugh does join the Court, what happens to the cases that he has not heard?

• He can look at the transcripts and notes and give his input if the justices want it.

6. What is the upcoming Supreme Court case about that deals with the 8th amendment?

• It deals if  the Eighth Amendment stops the execution of someone who no longer remembers the crime they committed after suffering several strokes.

7. What is the result if the Supreme Court decision is a 4-4 tie?

• The lower court's ruling stays in effect.