Six Justices Show Up for State of the Union, as Obama ‘Gently’ Hits Lawyers
A bipartisan group of six U.S. Supreme Court justices showed up for President Obama’s State of the Union address last night.
All the Democratic appointees showed up, along with Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, the Los Angeles Times reports. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. missed the event because of a “perfectly timed speaking engagement in Hawaii,” the Washington Post reported yesterday. Last year Alito mouthed the words “not true” when Obama criticized the Supreme Court’s campaign finance ruling in Citizens United v. Financial Election Commission. Also absent last night were Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.
During his speech, Obama “gently” knocked lawyers in comments on the tax and medical-malpractice systems, the National Law Journal reports.
The NLJ quoted from Obama’s prepared remarks on the tax system. “Over the years, a parade of lobbyists has rigged the tax code to benefit particular companies and industries,” the remarks read. “Those with accountants or lawyers to work the system can end up paying no taxes at all. But all the rest are hit with one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world. It makes no sense, and it has to change.”
Obama said the corporate tax code should be rewritten, and tax breaks should be lowered to cover the cost, the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) reports. TaxProf Blog quotes from this portion of the advance copy of the speech: “Tonight, I’m asking Democrats and Republicans to simplify the system. Get rid of the loopholes. Level the playing field. And use the savings to lower the corporate tax rate for the first time in 25 years—without adding to our deficit.”
Obama also said he was willing to consider “medical malpractice reform to rein in frivolous lawsuits.” Obama raised the issue last year, saying med-mal reform is “on the table.”
Above the Law also had highlights, including this one: “Obama urged young people to become teachers: ‘Your nation needs you.’ He didn’t urge young people to become lawyers: ‘Sallie Mae needs you.’ ”
