FAS

Overruling Constitutional Precedents

09.25.18 | 1 min read | Text by Steven Aftergood

A new report from the Congressional Research Service examines how and why the U.S. Supreme Court would overturn one of its own rulings interpreting the Constitution. There are at least 141 cases where such rulings have in fact been overturned, including three in the Court’s latest term, and these are tabulated in an appendix to the report. See The Supreme Court’s Overruling of Constitutional Precedent, September 24, 2018.

Other new and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service include the following.

Supreme Court October Term 2017: A Review of Selected Major Rulings, September 19, 2018

International Law and Agreements: Their Effect Upon U.S. Law, updated September 19, 2018

Intellectual Property Law: A Brief IntroductionCRS In Focus, September 19, 2018

Can a Foreign Employee of a Foreign Company be Federally Prosecuted for Foreign Bribery?CRS Legal Sidebar, September 19, 2018

Expedited Removal of Aliens: Legal Framework, September 19, 2018

WTO Disciplines on U.S. Domestic Support for AgricultureCRS In Focus, September 19, 2018

Conflict in MaliCRS In Focus, updated September 19, 2018

The Palestinians: Overview and Key Issues for U.S. PolicyCRS In Focus, updated September 18, 2018

NAFTA and the Preliminary U.S.-Mexico AgreementCRS Insight, September 19, 2018

China’s Engagement with Latin America and the CaribbeanCRS In Focus, September 18, 2018

U.S.-China RelationsCRS In Focus, updated September 18, 2018

American War and Military Operations Casualties: Lists and Statistics, updated September 14, 2018

publications
See all publications
Government Capacity
Policy Memo
We Need a U.S. Permitting Corps: Executive and Legislative Recommendations

Despite significant political momentum behind reform efforts, limited attention has been paid to the federal workforce that will actually be responsible for interpreting and implementing new permitting regulations and better outcomes.

07.08.26 | 10 min read
read more
Environment
Press release
Amid Sweltering Weather, the Federation of American Scientists Releases Expert-Sourced “State and Local Heat Policy Agenda”

Nearly 150 organizations and government officials have endorsed the call to action and solutions for extreme heat, now public at HeatAgenda.US Washington, D.C. – July 7, 2026 – As millions of Americans continue to struggle to stay cool following one of the hottest Independence Day holidays on record, the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), one […]

07.07.26 | 3 min read
read more
Environment
Issue Brief
Policy Memo
The State and Local Heat Policy Agenda

Addressing rising heat will take all of us. Together, we can create heat-safe homes, workplaces, schools, childcare facilities, and communities – the backbone of a heat-ready nation.

07.07.26 | 5 min read
read more
Emerging Technology
day one project
Policy Memo
Securing Cell-Free Biomanufacturing as a Strategic National Capability

DNA synthesis and export controls remain the primary regulatory safeguards against de novo production of harmful biological agents, yet governance frameworks lack the situational awareness and enforcement capacity to keep pace with rapidly falling technical barriers.

07.02.26 | 11 min read
read more