Government
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
Why a quick compromise to the first government shutdown in nearly 7 years seems unlikely
Why a quick compromise to the first government shutdown in nearly 7 years seems unlikely The US government has entered its first shutdown in nearly seven years due to disagreements over spending measures, with both Democrats and Republicans seemingly dug in on their positions. The Democrats’ stated sticking point is the expiration of health care […]
🏛️ Politics
Trump administration is on track to cut 1 in 3 EPA staffers by the end of 2025, slashing agency’s ability to keep pollution out of air and water
Trump administration is on track to cut 1 in 3 EPA staffers by the end of 2025, slashing agency’s ability to keep pollution out of air and water The Trump administration is on track to cut approximately 33% of EPA staff by the end of 2025, reducing the agency’s ability to address pollution and environmental […]
📰 News
Shutdowns are as American as apple pie − in the UK and elsewhere, they just aren’t baked into the process
Shutdowns are as American as apple pie − in the UK and elsewhere, they just aren’t baked into the process The US is an exception when it comes to government shutdowns, which are rare or non-existent in most Western democracies. The main reasons for this difference lie in the relative power of the legislature, how […]
🏛️ Politics
History is repeating itself at the FBI as agents resist a director’s political agenda
History is repeating itself at the FBI as agents resist a director’s political agenda FBI Director Kash Patel’s tenure has raised concerns that he is implementing President Trump’s political agenda, leading to a politicization of the agency. Patel has installed loyalists at the DOJ and FBI who are dedicated to supporting Trump’s interests, including Dan […]
🏛️ Politics