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Which Cases Will the Supreme Court Hear? - The U.S. rolled into the second week of a government shutdown and although many federal institutions have closed and furloughed workers, on Monday the United States Supreme Court kicked off operations as normal. From issues like religion, abortion and racial discrimination, take a look some of the top Supreme Court cases from this term that will help shape the future of the nation.  —Dominique Zonyéé (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Photo By Win McNamee/Getty Images

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Affirmative Action: Schuette v. Coalition - Michigan voters passed a state constitutional amendment forbidding racial preferences in college admissions, a move which enraged affirmative action supporters. The Sixth Circuit Court found that the amendment violated the Equal Protection Clause. The Supreme Court will now hear the case.(Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Racial Discrimination: Mount Holly v. Mount Holly Citizens in Action - This case focuses on urban renewal in Mount Holly, New Jersey. The Gardens, low-income homes, were to be demolished and replaced by a new 520-unit complex to be sold at market price, with only 56 apartments reserved for current Gardens residents. The court will determine if the Department of Housing and Urban Development interpreted the National Affordable Housing Act legally. (Photo: Paul Sancya/AP Photo)

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Age and Gender Discrimination: Lisa Madigan v. Harvey N. Levin - Harvey N. Levin was hired as an Illinois Assistant District Attorney in 2000. He was fired in 2006 when he was over 60 years old. He believed that he was fired due to his age and gender. He sued under the Age Discrimination Employment Act and the Seventh Circuit court dismissed the case. (Photo: John Lund/Marc Romanelli/Getty Images)

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Abortion Clinic Access: McCullen v. Coakley - This case challenges a Massachusetts law which makes it a crime for demonstrators to be on a public street within 35 feet of an abortion clinic. McCullen argues that the law targets those who speak out against abortion.(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Chemical Weapons for Personal Use: Bond v. United States - Carol Anne Bond used at-home chemicals as a weapon on a friend who’d gotten pregnant by Bond’s husband. Federal prosecutors charged Bond with violating the legislation that implements the international Chemical Weapons Convention.(Photo: lvcandy/Getty Images)

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Abortion Pill Labels: Oklahoma Coalition for Reproductive Justice v. Terry Cline - This case focuses on the Oklahoma State statute, which requires abortion-inducing drugs to be administered strictly according to the specific Food and Drug Administration labeling, despite the fact that new research and best practices make those instructions out of date.(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Church vs. State: Town of Greece v. Galloway - The town of Greece, New York, opened every legislative meeting in 1999 with a moment of silence, and then a prayer session, which was almost always lead by Christian clergy members. A group of citizens challenged the practice arguing that it violated the Establishment Clause. This case will likely bring forth challenges under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Limits on Campaign Donations: McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission - This case challenges the overall limits on what an individual may give to candidates, political parties and political action committees in a two-year federal election cycle.(Photo: Don Bayley/Getty Images)