Offering Speech News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

at issue, a colorado business seeking permission not to work for same-sex wedding couples, only this time it wasn't the baker. that case was decided in 2018 when jack phillips refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. back then the court narrowly decided for the baker but didn't determine whether a business owner's speech writes can justify refusing service to gay couples. well, five miles from the colorado baker is a graphic artist named lorie smith who will join me momentarily. she said she didn't want to create any same-sex wedding message at odds with her religious beliefs...

i'm michael smerconish in philadelphia. the supreme court comprised by appoint east of former president donald trump ended a most consequential term. scotus on voting rights, affirmative action, student loans and adoption. this on top of last year's rulings concerns abortion, guns, religion and climate change. yesterday, the court released a much anticipated opinion concerning speech and gay rights. at issue, a colorado business seeking permission not to work for same-sex wedding couples, only this time it wasn't the baker. this case was decided in 2018 when jack phillips refused to ...

I don't know why so much of this litigation is in a wedding context. okay. i'll roll with it. so i guess the baker is speaking. i guess the website designer, your client is speaking, presumably the florist is speaking, the photographer. what about the stagehand? what about "the wedding singer"? what about the ancillary businesses? are they all offering speech or doing a job like they would do for any other couple? >> if they are doing a job and there is not speech involved, then they are -- the nondiscrimination principles apply and the first amendment does not in the free smeech context. i th...

Others, even those we disagree with. they certainly can't deny service because they feel uncomfortable. the court's ruling says that non-discrimination laws continue to apply to ensure that people can't be denied services or goods because of a protected characteristic. it also says no matter who you are, the government can't force you to say something that you don't believe, and that's a win for everyone. >> right. you make it sound as if these are black and white determinations though. i think a lot of this is in the gray area. what exactly is speech? i don't know why so much of this litigati...

Nol one knows exactly. the obamacare replacement is being negotiated behind closed doors. garret has a look on capitol hill. where do things stand? >> reporter: democrats have been looking for a way to fight back. tonight they are going to take control of the senate floor, offering speech after speech, hitting both what they think is in this bill and the process by which it has been written almost entirely in secret. the senate bill to repeal obamacare would be washington's hottest summer read. >> if we get a copy, will you send me a copy. >> reporter: senate republicans must negotiate among t...