Reuters reports the short-handed SCOTUS launched its new term on Monday.
Legals arguments in front of the court are overshadowed by the fight over Brett Kavanaugh.
The court is evenly divided ideologically with four liberals and four conservatives.
This could result in several split 4-4 decisions.
One case is a dispute over the government's power to set aside private property for conservation.
A second case involved the scope of a federal law that outlaws discrimination on the basis of age.