The US Supreme Court appeared surprisingly united on Wednesday in its approach to the contentious issue of abortion. As the justices heard their first big abortion cases in five years, it quickly became clear that there was little appetite among them for a big and divisive clash over abortion rights.

At a time when the Senate is gearing up to do battle over the issue during the nomination hearings of Judge Samuel Alito, the existing court – under the new chief justice, John Roberts – appeared unwilling to join the conflict.