Supreme Court Off to Historically Slow Start in Contentious Term

The US Supreme Court likely won’t issue an opinion in an argued case before the justices recess for the year, in what’s already been a historically slow start.

The court, which kicks off its term in October, typically issues at least one opinion—often a unanimous one—in late-November or early December. Last year the justices handed down a 9-0 decision in a water case on Nov. 22, and the year before they issued four 8-0 rulings on Dec. 10.

Monday, however, was the last scheduled chance for the court to issue opinions in argued cases before they break for the year. ...