The U.S. Supreme Court today took no action on the federal government’s petition for writ of certiorari in a case declaring unconstitutional the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003: Today’s Order List is here. Much more background about Gonzales v. Carhart, which remains pending before the Supreme Court on the federal government’s request for review, can be accessed via this earlier post.

Available online from The Nation: Jeremy Brecher and Brendan Smith have an essay entitled “The Limits of Power: Questions for Alito.”

And John Nichols’s “The Online Beat” offers a post titled “Samuel Alito v. James Madison.”

Available today at National Review Online: U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has an essay entitled “Alito Preview: What to watch for.”

And Matthew J. Franck has an essay entitled “Staring Down the Constitution: Roe and stare decisis.”

Today’s U.S. Supreme Court Order List: Today’s Order List can be accessed here.

At “SCOTUSblog,” Lyle Denniston has a post titled “Court seeks government views.” He reports that the Court did not grant review in any cases today.

In early news coverage, The Associated Press reports that “Supreme Court OKs Funds in Schools Case.”

The Court’s Order List from last Friday granting review in six cases can be accessed here.

“Majority of Americans Favor Alito Nomination; Most Expect Nominee Wouldn’t Vote to Strike Down Roe v. Wade”: The Washington Post provides a news update that begins, “A majority of Americans favor the confirmation of federal appeals court judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. to the U.S. Supreme Court and an even larger proportion believe Alito would not vote to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 high court ruling that legalized abortion, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll.”

On today’s broadcast of NPR‘s “Morning Edition“: This morning’s broadcast contained a segment entitled “Opening Statements Awaited at Alito Hearings” featuring Nina Totenberg.

Cokie Roberts had commentary entitled “Tough Fights Loom over DeLay, Alito.”

And the broadcast also contained a segment entitled “Virginia to Test DNA of Man Executed for Murder.”

RealPlayer is required to launch these audio segments.

Not a basis for a filibuster: “TaxProf Blog” provides a post titled “The Complete Tax Opinions of Judge Alito.”

Basis for a filibuster? The AP reports that “Alito Is a Springsteen Fan.”

“President Discusses Confirmation Hearing of Judge Alito with Press”: The White House has posted online this transcript. And Jesse J. Holland of The Associated Press reports that “Alito Gets Boost From Bush Before Hearing.”

“The Case of Alito v. O’Connor: Stuart Taylor Jr. has this essay in today’s issue of National Journal.

In the January 9, 2006 issue of The National Law Journal: Marcia Coyle reports that “Alito to face broad range of issues; Executive power, spying may be key.”

An editorial is entitled “Alito hearings.”

And Law Professor Jonathan Turley has an op-ed entitled “Solomon Amendment: Issue of hypocrisy.”

“Alito Called Harder Sell in Substance and Style; Both sides say his long career on the bench and a changed climate in Washington promise a tougher road than the one Roberts walked”: Maura Reynolds has this article today in The Los Angeles Times. The newspaper also contains an editorial entitled “Judging Judge Alito.”

Today in The New York Sun, Josh Gerstein reports that “Filibuster Is Eyed as Curtain Rises on Alito Hearing.”

Tom Curry, national affairs writer for MSNBC, has a report headlined “Five issues foes will try to use to torpedo Alito; Opponents crystallize case against Bush nominee: shoot a fleeing suspect.”

CNN.com reports that “Alito’s record, character on display at hearings; Nominee a legal heavyweight, but not as polished as Roberts.”

Today in The Wall Street Journal, Jeanne Cummings has a front page article headlined “Morning-After Pill Reshapes Debate Over Abortion; Courts, Legislatures Tackle Emergency Contraception; Tough Questions for Alito” (free access).

In The Boston Globe, Charlie Savage and Rick Klein have an article headlined “Democrats vow tough questions on Alito record; Showdown begins today.” The newspaper also contains an editorial entitled “Alito’s power trip” and an op-ed by Kate Michelman entitled “Alito’s fantasy world.”

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “A fight over courts staged in Phila.”

The Philadelphia Daily News reports that “Santorum rips liberal judges” and “Philly to flavor Alito hearings.”

The Washington Times reports that “Schumer warns of filibuster of Alito.” In addition, the newspaper contains an editorial entitled “The Alito hearings,” while U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has an op-ed entitled “Borking Judge Alito.”

The Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger reports that “The strong, silent type prevails at hearings; Alito confirmation will begin today.” And columnist John Farmer has an op-ed entitled “The case on Alito is far from clear-cut.”

The Asbury Park Press reports that “N.J. senators have concerns over Alito; Hearings for nominee start this morning.”

The Providence (R.I.) Journal reports that “Undecided on vote, Chafee has questions.”

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “Conservatives, Santorum rally for court reform.” In addition, Michael McGough has articles headlined “Abortion, individual rights on agenda for Alito hearings” and “Alito’s grilling begins today; Supreme Court nominee makes his case at confirmation hearings.”

The Washington Post contains articles headlined “Christian Right Mobilizes For Judge; Conservative Tilt Sought on Bench” and “Expert Witness: Activist Lawyer Jan LaRue Is Carrying A Banner for Sam Alito in a Battle That’s as Personal as It Is Political.” In addition, the newspaper, at its web site, offers an item titled “Transcript: 1988 Alito Comments on Bork Nomination.”

The State of Columbia, South Carolina reports that “S.C.’s Graham to play central role in hearings.”

The New Haven Register reports that “Alito nomination stirs debate at Yale.”

The Journal News of Westchester, New York reports that “Democrats to grill Alito on legal record.”

In The Harvard Crimson, Daniel J. Hemel reports that “Two Profs To Testify as Senate Vets Alito; After blocking Bork in ’87, Tribe will ‘probably not’ give thumbs up or down to Alito.”

The Daily Pennsylvanian reports that “City hosts debate over Alito pick; Prominent conservative activists, politicians spoke at church; opponents held own events.”

BBC News reports that “Battle lines drawn over Supreme Court.”

The Toronto Star reports that “U.S. top court pick faces grilling; Bush revelations push abortion out of the spotlight.”

“States’ laws clash on teen abortions; Missouri rule forces restrictions in Illinois”: This article appears today in The Chicago Tribune.

“‘Mainstream’ Bias: What Sam Alito and Louis Brandeis have in common.” OpinionJournal has today posted online this fascinating op-ed by Professor Ken I. Kersch. The piece appeared in print in Saturday’s issue of The Wall Street Journal.

“Hearings to Prove Alito is ‘No Sandra Day O’Connor’: “ScrappleFace” provides this report.