Supreme Court poised for another historic spring

The Supreme Court is staring at its self-imposed end of June deadline, but the justices have not yet released some of the most significant opinions of the term, including a challenge to the Affordable Care Act, the Voting Rights Act and a case on religious liberty, an issue that has split the justices along familiar ideological divides this year.

In the coming weeks the justices will enter what the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg used to call the "busy season" where drafts fly between chambers and the justices seek to release all remaining opinions. The term, like the second half of last term, has been groundbreaking. Instead of appearing in their majestic chamber, participating in a freewheeling give-and-take with arguing counsel, the justices have convened by telephone for more stilted, less spontaneous arguments.