March 13, 2026 Update

Just when it seemed like the worst damage the Senate could do to our democracy lay in the troubling nominees they continue to confirm to lifetime seats on the federal courts, the SAVE Act comes barreling down the Capitol corridors. The SAVE (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility) Act would overhaul federal elections and create new voting restrictions, mandating strict new voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements. Among other anticipated barriers: married women who changed their names would have to show marriage or divorce certificates to prove their identities; the list of acceptable photo ID’s is limited; and registering to vote would require proof of citizenship along with an ID. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) plans a multi-day marathon Senate consideration of the bill although he has thus far refused to eliminate the supermajority requirement to end a filibuster, hopefully dooming the bill which has already passed the House. Meanwhile the Supreme Court will once again weigh in on voting rights when it announces a decision in the Louisiana v. Callais redistricting case sometime during this term.

And, cloture has been filed on the nomination of Anna St. John to the District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. In addition to having scant relevant experience, Ms. St. John has extreme views, including opposition to ending forced arbitration for sexual assault survivors. Take Action! Please contact your senators using the Capitol Switchboard (202-224-3121) to urge them to oppose this nominee. Let them know her record casts strong doubt that she would be fair or independent — the most basic and essential qualifications for a lifetime seat on the bench. A vote is expected Monday evening.

Democracy and constitutional rights are on the docket of the federal courts nationwide. Here’s a look at some of the recent cases moving through the federal courts:

In a so-called Shadow Docket decision, the US Supreme Court granted a request from a group of parents in California to reinstate a federal district court ruling that prohibits California schools from allowing students to use their preferred pronouns in school despite their parents’ wishes. The parents argued school policy violated their religious freedom. Although there are no oral arguments or required written opinions involved in cases on the emergency docket, Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote a dissent which criticized the Court for not deciding the case on the merits docket.
In another case involving transgender individuals, Judge Victor Bolden, an Obama- nominated judge to the District Court for the District of Connecticut, ruled that Aetna’s denial of coverage for facial feminization surgery for two transgender women is sex discrimination. The judge issued a preliminary injunction requiring the insurance company to set aside a blanket exemption in considering the claims.
Reagan-nominated judge to the District Court for the District of Columbia, Judge Royce Lamberth, ruled that Kari Lake who heads the US Agency for Global Media acted unlawfully when she laid off staff and defunded the Voice of America and other programs under her watch. Ms. Lake plans to appeal the ruling.
Judge Randolph Moss of the District Court for the District of Columbia (an Obama-nominated judge) blocked a Trump administration immigration rule meant to expedite the appeals process because the rule was promulgated without sufficient public notice and comment. The rule would have reduced the time for appealing an immigration decision from 30 days to ten, speeding up deportations.

► Senate Judiciary Committee

The next judiciary committee hearing is scheduled for March 25 at which time the following nominees are expected to appear: Evan Rikhye to the District Court for the District of the Virgin Islands (which is not a lifetime position); Katie Lane to the District Court for the District of Montana; Sheria Clarke to the District Court for the District of South Carolina; and Kara Westercamp to the Court of International Trade. Katie Lane’s nomination is troubling because of her record while serving as Montana’s deputy solicitor general as well as the fact that she has not had the 12 years experience recommended by the American Bar Association for a judgeship. There are also concerns about Kara Westercamp’s nomination. Although the Court of International Trade is not a lifetime appointment, it will have heightened importance as it hears tariff-related cases. After the spring holiday recess, the committee is planning to hold a hearing on April 15 which is expected to feature: Justin Smith for the Eighth Circuit (opposed by NCJW) and nominees to the District Court for the District of Kansas Tony Mattivi; Jeffrey Kuhlman; and Anthony Powell.

► ICYMI

(NBCNews) SCOTUS justices Jackson and Kavanaugh clash over handling of Trump cases

(Scotusblog) In birthright citizenship case, DOJ urges court to treat old concept in new way

(ABCNews) DOJ appeals rulings that block Trump orders targeting major law firms

(NBCNews) Confidence in Supreme Court drops to a record low

(Hill) Trump chides Supreme Court says it hasn’t had the “guts to do what’s right”

Our hearts are broken by the hate-filled attacks targeting the Jewish community in Michigan and in which one person was killed and two were injured in Virginia. We hold those impacted close as we go into the weekend. Hope your weekend is restful and safe, and we thank you for being in this work with us.