In accordance with a new executive order, Betsy DeVos will be conducting a study into whether or not the federal government has “overstepped” its oversight of K-12 schools. The order was framed by Donald Trump as a part of a broader move to bring power over the education system…
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Tax Reform
The Trump Administration has issued a one-page plan to reform the tax system in America. The plan calls for the simplification of the tax code and the deepest cuts in tax rates paid by American families and businesses seen since the Reagan Administration. More specifically, the plan calls for decreasing the number of tax…
Tariff on Canadian Lumber
President Donald Trump announced on April 25th a new set of tariffs on Canadian lumber policies. Citing an unfair deal, President Trump has launched a new set of duties ranging from 3% to 24% on five Canadian lumber companies. Currently, most Canadian lumber firms pay a tariff of 20% on exports to the United States. This dispute…
Senate Bill 823 Against Warrantless and Random Searches of American Citizens Digital Devices At U.S. Border Crossings
On April 4, 2017, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced in the U.S. Congress the “Protecting Data At The Border Act.” The bill is aimed at protecting the privacy rights…
House Joint Resolution 43 (H.J. Res 43) [Update]
Congress voted to overturn a rule put in place by the Obama administration, in December 2016, that prevented states from denying Title X Family Planning funding to health care providers who offer abortion services. Title X funds are intended to provide access to “family planning and related preventative health services…
State-Level Responses to Federal Action on Sanctuary Jurisdictions
In response to President Trump’s January executive action to crack down on sanctuary jurisdictions, states have responded in two opposite ways – either cracking down on sanctuary cities under their jurisdiction or moving for the entire state to become a sanctuary jurisdiction. Sanctuary cities or states are defined as jurisdictions…
Senate Vote Overturns Obama Administration Retirement Assistance
In a 50-49 vote, the Senate has reversed rules from the Obama administration that made it easier for cities to provide government-run retirement plans to private sector workers. Many workers currently do not have retirement saving plans, but under the Obama administration, the government would assist private sector workers…
Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth
President Trump’s March 28 Executive Order, entitled “Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth,” takes extensive action to eliminate federal climate policies and regulations, explicitly targeting at least 23 executive actions, federal rules, memoranda, and reports. Most notably, the directive moves to rescind…
Alexander Acosta OSHA Cuts
Alexander Acosta, the replacement of Andrew Puzder for the labor secretary nominee, told senators during his confirmation hearings that there is an expectation for further cuts to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This coupled with the Trump budget ensures that cuts will be made to OSHA. This administration…
Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline; Issuance of Presidential Permit
Two months after President Trump released a presidential memoranda directing the Secretaries of State, the Army, and the Interior to expedite approval for the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline the Department of State has issued a Presidential permit to TransCanada authorizing the company to “construct, connect…