Government
House speaker’s refusal to seat Arizona representative is supported by history and law
House speaker’s refusal to seat Arizona representative is supported by history and law House Speaker Mike Johnson’s refusal to seat Arizona Representative Adelita Grijalva until the federal government resumes normal operations has sparked a lawsuit from Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, who claims Johnson is using his power to “strengthen his hand” in the ongoing […]
🏛️ Politics
Dick Cheney’s expansive vision of presidential power lives on in Trump’s agenda
Dick Cheney’s expansive vision of presidential power lives on in Trump’s agenda Dick Cheney’s expansive vision of presidential power lives on in Donald Trump’s agenda, which has seen a barrage of unilateral presidential actions since his second term began. Trump’s actions have been justified by invoking the unitary executive theory, a conservative thesis that calls […]
🏛️ Politics
A brief history of congressional oversight, from Revolutionary War financing to Pam Bondi
A brief history of congressional oversight, from Revolutionary War financing to Pam Bondi A brief history of congressional oversight has shifted dramatically during the second Trump administration, with hearings becoming increasingly partisan and confrontational. Congressional oversight plays a crucial role in keeping executive branch agencies accountable to the public, ensuring that laws are faithfully executed, […]
🏛️ Politics
Amateur hour in Congress: How political newcomers fuel gridlock and government shutdowns
Amateur hour in Congress: How political newcomers fuel gridlock and government shutdowns Amateur politicians, who have no prior experience in elected office, are more likely to fuel gridlock and government shutdowns in Congress due to their lack of bipartisanship. The study found that first-term amateur lawmakers work across party lines far less often than incumbent […]
🏛️ Politics
The shutdown – and the House’s inaction – helps pave Congress’ path to irrelevance
The shutdown – and the House’s inaction – helps pave Congress’ path to irrelevance The US Congress has been in recess for over 40 days due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, with no votes being held and Speaker Mike Johnson refusing to swear in newly elected Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva. Despite having a constitutional role […]
🏛️ Politics
When government websites become campaign tools: Blaming the shutdown on Democrats has legal and political risks
When government websites become campaign tools: Blaming the shutdown on Democrats has legal and political risks The 2025 government shutdown has become a messaging war, with official government communications, including website banners and automated responses, denouncing “Senate Democrats” or “the Radical Left” for closing the government. The Hatch Act, a 1939 statute that limits partisan […]
🏛️ Politics
Trump administration’s layoffs would gut department overseeing special education, eliminating parents’ last resort
Trump administration’s layoffs would gut department overseeing special education, eliminating parents’ last resort The Trump administration’s latest round of layoffs has targeted over 4,000 federal workers, including 466 at the Department of Education, which would gut the department overseeing special education. A federal judge has paused the layoffs, calling them “illegal and in excess of […]
📰 News
The Supreme Court is headed toward a radically new vision of unlimited presidential power
The Supreme Court is headed toward a radically new vision of unlimited presidential power The Supreme Court is moving towards a radically new vision of unlimited presidential power, building on a series of cases over the past 15 years that have pro-presidential direction. The unitary executive theory, which suggests that the president should personally control […]
🏛️ Politics
Health insurance subsidy standoff pits affordable care for millions against federal budget constraints
Health insurance subsidy standoff pits affordable care for millions against federal budget constraints The Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies are set to expire on January 1, 2026, unless Congress extends them, which would affect millions of Americans’ health insurance coverage. If the subsidies expire, an estimated 5 million people could lose their health insurance coverage, […]
🏛️ Politics
Congressman Ted Lieu makes the case for strong regulation of AI
Congressman Ted Lieu makes the case for strong regulation of AI Strong regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is necessary to prevent its misuse and ensure public safety. The lack of regulation in the AI industry can lead to job displacement, bias in decision-making systems, and cybersecurity threats. Congressman Ted Lieu’s advocacy for strong regulation of […]
🏛️ Politics