'We have progressive justices being forced to compromise with bigots just to avoid an even worse, more broad ruling allowing government-sanctioned discrimination,' said Aaron Belkin, director of Take Back the Court, a left-wing advocacy group. Progressive legal activists and some Democratic lawmakers claim that the conservative justices are lying in wait, and that decisions like the unanimous Philadelphia foster care decision should ring 'alarm bells.' 'The justices pride themselves on standing outside of the world of politics, and they're well aware that the court was the subject of a great deal of political attention over the last year.' 'There's no question in my mind that the justices have worked very hard to issue unanimous or near-unanimous rulings this term,' said former Supreme Court clerk and Cardozo law professor Kate Shaw, who is also an ABC News contributor. While the court still has five cases pending - decisions that are likely to be fractured - the show of consensus this year will remain well above average regardless of their outcome.

'Roberts has said that was his goal ever since he became chief, but he acknowledged that it was up to his colleagues about whether or not it would work.'

'The new justices - Justices (Brett) Kavanaugh and Barrett - decided to join Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice (Stephen) Breyer as well as Justice (Elena) Kagan in the project of bipartisan unanimity,' said Rosen. MORE: As the Supreme Court wraps up, Justice Stephen Breyer offers no hints on retirement

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