Today Justice Sandra Day O’Connor announced her retirement from the United States Supreme Court. She has frequently been the swing vote, in which her vote has made the decisive difference in significant 5-4 decisions. In the two Ten Commandments cases decided this past Monday, Justice O’Connor voted against both of them. The Kentucky vote was 5-4 and the Texas vote was 4-1-4.

Although O’Connor was appointed by President Ronald Regan, she became a moderate voice on the High Court. She has consistently voted for abortion rights. She sided with the majority in Lawrence v. Texas regarding homosexual sodomy. She voted against the Ten Commandments. Her vacancy means the future of the Court hangs in the balance and the power base could shift one way or the other depending on her replacement.

Mathew D. Staver, President and General Counsel of Liberty Counsel, commented: “Today’s announcement regarding Justice O’Connor’s retirement marks the beginning of an historic shift in America. Her replacement will be critical to determine the future of the Supreme Court. On the heels of Monday’s confusing decisions on the Ten Commandments, today’s announcement makes us more resolved than ever to return to the Supreme Court to address important social issues where the Court came down on the wrong side. These include the sanctify of life, the family and the Ten Commandments. Justice O’Connor’s replacement will be a hard fought battle. We must insist that her vacancy is filled with a justice who respects the rule of law and the Constitution.”