GOP Lawmaker Wins Supreme Court Ruling in 7-2 Decision

Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson

Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speaks during a dedication ceremony, Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Justice Ketanji Brown, Ketanji Brown Jackson at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Ketanji Brown Jackson during the inauguration ceremonies

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling has required the lifting of a censure on Maine Rep. Laurel Libby (R), enabling her to participate in legislative proceedings after being barred from voting. The ruling confirmed that the censure denied Libby’s constituents representation. Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor dissented. This decision effectively lifts the voting ban imposed by Libby's censure. However, this is a temporary injunction pending further litigation in lower courts.

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speaks during a dedication ceremony

Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speaks during a dedication ceremony, Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Justice Ketanji Brown, Ketanji Brown Jackson at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Ketanji Brown Jackson during the inauguration ceremonies

Jackson stated, "The watering down of our Court's standards for granting emergency relief is, to me, an unfortunate development." Quoting conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Jackson added, "After all, the manner in which we handle emergency applications—'on a short fuse without benefit of full briefing and oral argument,' is hardly a model for sound decision making."

Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett

Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speaks during a dedication ceremony, Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Justice Ketanji Brown, Ketanji Brown Jackson at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Ketanji Brown Jackson during the inauguration ceremonies

Libby’s censure stemmed from her social media posts featuring a transgender athlete, which led to allegations of violating House rules. Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau confirmed that the court restored Libby’s voting rights during the ongoing appeal process.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Justice Ketanji Brown

Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speaks during a dedication ceremony, Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Justice Ketanji Brown, Ketanji Brown Jackson at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Ketanji Brown Jackson during the inauguration ceremonies

Fecteau said, "In accordance with the Supreme Court's injunction pending appeal, Representative Libby's ability to vote on the floor of the House has been restored until the current appeal process runs its course."

Ketanji Brown Jackson at the U.S. Capitol in Washington

Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speaks during a dedication ceremony, Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Justice Ketanji Brown, Ketanji Brown Jackson at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Ketanji Brown Jackson during the inauguration ceremonies

Fecteau added, "The Clerk of the House, whom the injunction is against, has already complied with this court ruling. We look forward to continuing with the important work Maine people expect of us."

Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson

Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speaks during a dedication ceremony, Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Justice Ketanji Brown, Ketanji Brown Jackson at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Ketanji Brown Jackson during the inauguration ceremonies

Jackson said, "The applicants have not asserted that there are any significant legislative votes scheduled in the upcoming weeks; that there are any upcoming votes in which Libby's participation would impact the outcome; or that they will otherwise suffer any concrete, imminent, and significant harm while the lower court considers this matter."

Ketanji Brown Jackson during the inauguration ceremonies

Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speaks during a dedication ceremony, Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Justice Ketanji Brown, Ketanji Brown Jackson at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Ketanji Brown Jackson during the inauguration ceremonies

Jackson added, "At the very least, by lowering the bar for granting emergency relief, the Court itself will bear responsibility for the resulting systemic disruption, as a surge in requests for our 'extraordinary' intervention—at earlier and earlier stages of ongoing lower court proceedings, and with greater and greater frequency—will undoubtedly follow."

John Baker covers U.S. politics & news for content partner Modern Newsstand LLC.

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