Just this week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stated that eliminating the filibuster would “permanently disfigure” the Senate, making more public a procedural policy fight that has been simmering in the beltway for a long time. McConnell has wielded the filibuster many times in his tenure to prevent the passage of legislation or the confirmation […]
One day there will likely be a Covid-19 vaccine. But who should get it first? Science Magazine reports that “a committee that makes vaccine use recommendations to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wrestled with the issue in a virtual meeting…the prioritization issue comes down to a tricky balancing act between best helping […]
While we are reeling in the aftermath of the George Floyd murder and the demonstrations and unrest that have ensued, we can’t forget that the nation and the world are also still impacted by the coronavirus pandemic that has cost the lives of over 100,000 Americans. We also shouldn’t forget that while we are distracted, […]
UPDATE 2 (May 27, 2020): The House amendment crafted on May 22 is now hitting significant roadblocks due to a deviation from the Senate amendment that offers fewer protections for internet consumers. The House version would limit the restrictions around internet surveillance to US residents, thereby allowing warrantless searches for non-US residents’ data, which also allows for […]
The Washington Post published an editorial late last week reiterating exactly what we’ve been saying in this column— serious policy initiatives are being pushed during this pandemic while fewer Americans are paying attention. They open their editorial with this: “Republicans in Congress have cautioned Democrats not to use emergency legislation intended to rescue the […]
Senator Alan Simpson, who represented Wyoming from 1978–1996, used to say, “If you can’t learn to compromise on issues without compromising yourself, you should not be in Congress, be in business, or get married.” In 2019, we may find irony in a career politician advocating for compromise. The increasing polarization in our nation has made […]
What is the difference between a federal, state, and local law? The US government is split into federal, state and local bodies that all set budgets, levy taxes, and make laws. Each body has different responsibilities that all function simultaneously. The Tenth Amendment of the US Constitution delegates powers not expressly granted to the federal […]
On Wednesday, April 25, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) unveiled her plan for a set of financial services that she has proposed be provided at US Postal Service branches across the country. Gillibrand’s Postal Service Act would have the 30,000 USPS branches offer checking accounts, savings accounts, and small loans to Americans who can’t afford to take part […]