Week 2 of Supreme Court arguments begins
The U.S. Supreme Court is seen at near sunset in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018.[AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta]
The Supreme Court is holding its second week of arguments by telephone because of the coronavirus pandemic, with audio available live to audiences around the world.
The highest profile cases are up this week, including two on Tuesday involving the potential release of President Donald Trump's tax returns. There's a school employment discrimination case on Monday. You can listen live here.
Last week, the justices heard cases about Trump administration rules that would allow more employers who cite a religious or moral objection to opt out of providing no-cost birth control to women as required by the Affordable Care Act.
Some observations, trivia and analysis from our Supreme Court reporters (all times local):
10 a.m.
The Supreme Court has begun its second week of arguments by telephone.
Ian Gershengorn is the first of four attorneys arguing in a case about whether an Indian tribe retains control over a vast swath of eastern Oklahoma.
Gershengorn told The Associated Press in a recent interview that he planned to make what is his 16th Supreme Court argument from the guest bedroom of his home in Bethesda, Maryland. He said he wouldn't memorize his opening as he usually does, because the justices won't be able to tell if he's looking at notes.
Gershengorn said in previous arguments he'd try to relax by looking around at the marble courtroom and friezes of the Supreme Court and think: "this is pretty awesome that I get to do this for a living." Looking around his guest bedroom would inspire different thoughts, he said, like: "This is a really weird way to do this."
Gershengorn said he wouldn't change his before-argument breakfast: a muffin and a Diet Coke.
9 a.m.
The first case the Supreme Court will hear Monday is about whether an Indian tribe retains control over a vast swath of eastern Oklahoma. The court tried to resolve it in 2018 but ultimately didn't.
The second case involves two ex-Catholic school teachers and their former employers. Kristen Biel and Agnes Morrissey-Berru both taught fifth grade at Catholic schools in California.
Morrissey-Berru's teaching contract wasn't renewed in 2015, when she was in her 60s, after she'd taught more than 15 years at the school. And Biel's contract wasn't renewed after she disclosed she had breast cancer and would need time off.
Both sued their former employers, with Morrissey-Berru alleging age discrimination and Biel alleging disability discrimination. A lower court said both lawsuits could go forward, but the schools have appealed and have the support of the Trump administration.
8:30 a.m.
Ready for round 2? The Supreme Court is hearing arguments by phone for a second week. Arguments are being held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and, like last week, they will be livestreamed.
If you followed along last week, you know how Monday's telephone argument will go: The justices are asking questions in order of seniority with Chief Justice John Roberts going first. Justice Clarence Thomas asked questions during each argument last week.
And Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is out of the hospital after a gallstone infection. It didn't stop her from hearing cases from her hospital bed last week.