(Bloomberg) -- U.S. Supreme Court justices signaled a sharp divide in a Montana case that could make it easier to funnel public money to religious schools and other faith-based organizations.
With Chief Justice John Roberts in his customary center seat, the court heard arguments about eight hours after he finished presiding over the first day of President Donald Trump’s Senate impeachment trial. The trial will resume Wednesday at 1.
The Montana Supreme Court struck down a taxpayer-funded scholarship program that was used primarily to help send children to religious schools, ruling that it violated a state constitutional provision barring aid to churches and religious schools. The ruling is being challenged by three mothers who have used money from the program to send their children to a Christian school.
Roberts is likely to cast the pivotal vote. His questions suggested he might back the parents and revive the scholarship program.
To contact the reporter on this story: Greg Stohr in Washington at gstohr@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Joe Sobczyk at jsobczyk@bloomberg.net
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