The Supreme Court handed down a 4-4 ruling today on Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, leaving in place a lower court ruling that allows public sector unions to collect dues from employees even if they refuse to join. Recently deceased Justice Antonin Scalia had been expected to rule against the unions as the the court’s 5th vote:
Supreme Court deadlock upholds win for unions in fee case. https://t.co/r2fG6pziDg pic.twitter.com/zBmBTsyMel
— necn (@NECN) March 29, 2016
But to NBC’s Luke Russert, this 4-4 tie that benefits the unions happened not because of Scalia’s untimely death, no siree! It’s because of GOP opposition to President Obama’s SCOTUS nominee, Merrick Garland:
Effect of #GOP opposition to Judge Garland—big win for unions https://t.co/ADCZw1X0Yg
— Luke Russert (@LukeRussert) March 29, 2016
How does that work, Luke? The case was heard in January and GOP opposition to Judge Garland had absolutely nothing to do with it:
It was already argued. Garland would have had no impact on the outcome, even if he was confirmed. https://t.co/liDkQZSGh0
— Emily Zanotti’s Great & Unmatched Wisdom (@emzanotti) March 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/seanmdav/status/714827230732353541
Yes, it's something that Garland wasn't seated on the court in a week. https://t.co/qBOp1D0K0e
— Richard M. Nixon (@dick_nixon) March 29, 2016
This can't be serious, right? Garland 1) wouldn't have been confirmed in time 2) would've votes w/liberal bloc. https://t.co/kaTLRZHBYV
— The Nats Won The World Series (@EsotericCD) March 29, 2016
@EsotericCD idiot says idiotic thing. News at 11.
— Jason Hart (@jasonahart) March 29, 2016
Oh, Luke. Do I need to explain why this is so, so wrong? https://t.co/Jr0xqppqPF
— STEW ??? ⚾️ ? (@StewSays) March 29, 2016
Russert offered up this clarification:
@StewSays meant these of the types of things that could happen down the line, more effect of Scalia's death. Thx Stew.
— Luke Russert (@LukeRussert) March 29, 2016
@StewSays like Roberts and ACA, you never know till their seated right?
— Luke Russert (@LukeRussert) March 29, 2016
Anyone buying that?
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