United States Constitution
In 2019, women’s rights are still not explicitly recognized in US Constitution
Over nine decades, efforts to amend the US Constitution to recognize women’s rights have faced major challenges. Congress finally passed the Equal Rights Amendment in 1972. The amendment would recognize women’s equal rights to men under the law. But it still hasn’t been ratified in all 50 states.
After VRA Ruling, Florida Looks to Make Sweeping Changes Without Oversight
Earlier this summer, the Supreme Court gave states and localities the green light to remake their voting laws without the federal government’s approval. The change came from a 5-4 decision in the case Shelby County Vs. Holder. At the heart of the case were two provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965–Section 5, which […]
Recent rulings expand power of secretive FISA court
The New York Times this weekend revealed an expansion of power concentrated in the FISA court, the judges charged with reviewing government surveillance requests and approving or rejecting them. In virtually all cases, though, they’re approved. And new rulings show how that power is expanding.
U.S. Supreme Court strikes down key provision of Voting Rights Act
The provision of the Voting Rights Act that states which jurisdictions must get federal permission for changes to their voting standards was struck down on Tuesday by a divided Supreme Court. The overall law remains in tact, but will require Congressional action for pre-clearance to happen.
Justice Kennedy expected to play crucial role in spate of upcoming Supreme Court decisions
Monday’s Supreme Court decision to allow law enforcement to take DNA samples of anyone they arrest, just as they do with fingerprints. In the 5-4 decision, Justice Anthony Kennedy was the key decider — a role he’s expected to reprise in four other cases expected to be decided this month.
