Alito Will Be SCOTUS Nominee

Reuters and other media report that President Bush will nominate Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr. (Third Circuit) to fill Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. What are Alito's religion clause views? Among Judge Alito's opinions is Blackhawk v. Pennsylvania, 381 F.3d 202 (Aug. 20, 2004). It gives some clues. In the case, he found a Free Exercise clause violation in the state's refusal to waive a permit fee requirement under the Pa. Game & Wildlife Code for a Native American keeping animals for religious purposes.