Supreme Court Faces Scrutiny Over Emergency Docket Decisions
The Supreme Court's use of the emergency docket, often referred to as the 'shadow docket,' has come under scrutiny during recent budget hearings. Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett addressed questions from Congress about the increasing number of emergency orders issued by the court. These orders, which are typically decided without full briefing or oral arguments, have significant implications for federal policies, particularly those initiated by President Trump's administration. The justices explained that the court must respond to every emergency application it receives, which has led to a growing docket influenced by external requests rather than the court's discretion. 
