Supreme Court opens historic 2022 term with four women on the bench in Justice Jackson’s first term

The Supreme Court gaveled in for its 2022 term on Monday, taking up a case over federal control over wetlands — and the justices will soon wade into hot-button issues over voting rights, affirmative action, legal liabilities for tech companies and religious liberty.

The 2022 term makes history: For the first time there are four women on the bench, with the addition of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black female justice on the court. She replaced Justice Stephen G. Breyer, who retired in June.

And the public will get to see Justice Jackson in person, as the high court reopened oral arguments to the public and press following the COVID-19 pandemic, which had kept the court sealed off for two years.

It’s a sign the nation’s highest court is returning to standard practice for the 2022 term. Although the court will be closed to the public for visits, some seating will be available during the arguments. Masking will be optional.