Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has been a big news topic over the course of 2022. With the leak in May of the draft with the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, many people wondered what type of decisions would further divide the Supreme Court. In June of 2022, the court ruled to limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to restrict greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. This was viewed as a huge step backwards by many people in the United States. On June 29, the Supreme Court increased control over Native American tribes which backtracked on its decision in 2020 to expand the authority of tribes in Oklahoma. In a case with New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen it was ruled that strict rules and limits on carrying guns violate the Second Amendment. Overall, the Supreme Court has been busy this year and started many debates among politicians as well as the public.

Roe v Wade

On Friday, June 24, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. This legislation made access to abortion legal and a federal right in the United States. The original case started with a woman named Norma McCorvey who went by the alias “Jane Roe.” When McCorvey became pregnant in 1969 she wanted to have an abortion but could not because the laws in Texas prevented her from doing so. This led to the lawsuit against her and the District Attorney of Dallas County, Henry Wade. On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court issued a 7-2 decision that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment provides the right to privacy and also protects a woman’s right to have an abortion. However, in June 2022, this was overruled by the Supreme Court in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The logic of their decision lied in the fact that the right to abortion was not “rooted in the Nation’s history” and that the Due Process Clause was not created to necessarily protect it. Opposers of the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade argued that by stating that the Due Process Clause was not created to protect abortion right then it also would not protect same sex marriage, interracial marriage, or the right to use contraception.

Midterms

There were historical victories in Georgia; during the midterm elections in Georgia neither candidates Raphael Warnock or Herschel Walker were able to secure a victory. However, after being challenged, Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock defeated Herschel Walker in the runoff on December 6. Warnock has been on the ballot five times for the past two years without a loss. This victory for Democrats expands their power in the Senate, gives them their 51st seat, and an overall majority.

Inflation

The prediction for inflation in 2021 was that it would even out by 2022. Economists believed that supply chain issues would clear up and are now hoping the same for 2023. However, the reality of inflation this year was that prices for food were at its largest increase since 1981. Prices for housing and energy have also risen dramatically as well. With the true state of inflation this year being the opposite of what was predicted, people wonder if the prediction for 2023 will actually follow through. 

Education Reform

The issue of education reform has been a major political topic this year. This started with Biden’s agenda of student debt forgiveness being a major push of his campaign. Other education issues have been brought to light this year because of the nationwide teacher shortages and an increase in the banning of books.  Teachers have been going on strike and quitting because of unfair wages and conditions.  The books that have been banned in some districts have all had topics that revolve around gender identity, sexual orientation, and race. This has raised issues among opposers of banning books because they believe this is censorship and should not be happening.