Supreme Court Convenes, for a Week at Least

In the midst of a federal government shutdown, the U.S. Supreme Court opened for business today as it does annually on the first Monday in October. The court announced it would be business as usual through the end of the week, but further deliberations may depend on a resolution to the budget impasse in Congress. Among key cases to be heard and determined this term are those involving campaign contribution limits, discrimination in public housing, prayers at government meetings, and the president's power to name recess appointees to federal positions.