Supreme Court poised to turn right in 2013 term

After two blockbuster terms in which it saved President Obama’s health-care law and advanced the cause of same-sex marriage, the Supreme Court appears poised to tack to the right in its upcoming term on a range of social issues, from abortion and contraception to race and prayer.

The justices, whose term began on October 9, could rule against racial minorities in two cases and abortion rights in one or two others. They also could uphold prayers at government meetings, ease restrictions on wealthy political donors, strike down federal environmental regulations and take a first bite out of the Affordable Care Act.

The court also may be ready to restrict the power of the federal government and stand up for states and municipalities in several cases, furthering their defense of federalism.