Frank Jantzen, US Supreme Court
The Supreme Court heard arguments today in the Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. case. Hobby Lobby, which is privately held, sued the Obama Administration over the the mandate in the Affordable Care Act that mandates that corporations must provide free birth control with the insurance polices that it provides to companies. Hobby Lobby is a family-owned business and its owners are devout Christians. The family has said that the mandated birth control, which is against their religious teachings, violates their religious freedom. Based off the Justices’ questions, which aren’t always the greatest indicators, the case seems to be leaning towards the businesses. Justice Anthony Kennedy’s questioning of the Solicitor General, Donald Verrilli, Jr., led some to believe the Court’s swing vote is leaning towards corporations. Among his questions, the Justice asked if providing a religious exemption would undermine the entire law. The solicitor general replied that it would.