Full name: City of Boerne, Petitioner v. P. F. Flores, Archbishop of San Antonio, and United States
Ruth Bader GinsburgAnthony KennedyWilliam RehnquistAntonin ScaliaJohn Paul StevensClarence ThomasStephen BreyerSandra Day O'ConnorDavid Souter Note: Court justices do not represent any political party. The color of each judge's name represents the political party of the president who appointed the judge.
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Religious Freedom Restoration Act
1993 (HR-1308)
What was this case about?
The Supreme Court ruled that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act can be applied to federal laws. However, the law cannot require state laws to abide by it.
How this case got to the Supreme Court
A Catholic church in Boerne, Texas wanted to expand its building. The city refused to allow the expansion because the church was considered to be part of a historic district.
The head of the church, Patrick Flores, sued. He claimed his congregation had outgrown the existing building, and not allowing the expansion would restrict their free exercise of religion, while there was no compelling state interest.
How the Supreme Court ruled
Specific to this case, the city of Boerne was allowed to prevent the church from expanding, as it would be unconstitutional for Congress to tell a state how to interpret a right provided by the Constitution.
More information...
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