Presidential race 2016

[HairOfTheDog]

Presidents have a say over what is presented before the Supreme court?

When Presidents have an opportunity to select Justices (especially ones which would alter the leaning of the Court, as is the current situation), they have an opportunity to influence what cases will be heard at the federal Supreme Court level because the Justices themselves determine the docket. The rulings in the cases are also influenced by the views and interpretations of the Justices, who are carefully screened and selected by the appointing President. But, you know all that.

The most significant abortion case in a decade or more is now pending in the Supreme Court - Whole Women’s Health v. Cole. If the Plaintiffs (WWH) lose, it will severely limit abortion access in Texas and open the door for other states to follow suit. A couple of the presidential candidates have said they only want to appoint a Justice who is committed to restricting/denying abortion access.

Ted Cruz might actually work to ban abortion using his Presidential influence on Congress though, instead of using the Supreme Court. He says he'll push Congress to amend the Constitution or to pass a law giving 14^th Amendment personhood protections to fetuses and zygotes.