In its challenge to the state policy, the group hopes to win a broad ruling by the courts that abortion rights are protected under the state Constitution.

"It was certainly a very broad ruling," Mr. Boies said, immediately after hearing it.

She seemed to be seeking assurance that the court need not issue a broad ruling in order to invalidate the Texas law.

They ask judges to do this by creating small, case-specific rulings rather than broad, sweeping rulings.

The importance of the case to property tax law generally may depend on whether the Court issues a broad or narrow ruling.

Transcending its exotic locale, this dispute could be a vehicle for a broader ruling about using race as a basis for government benefits.

The justices listened attentively but appeared to doubt whether this case was the right vehicle for the broad ruling the administration and its corporate allies were seeking.

The court turned down a separate petition that Mr. Newdow had filed to seek a broader ruling on the constitutionality of the pledge in general.