Understanding Trump v. Hawaii: Travel Bans and Executive Power
The 2018 Supreme Court decision in Trump v. Hawaii upheld the third iteration of President Donald Trump’s 2017 travel ban, officially known as Presidential Proclamation 9645, affirming the executive branch’s broad authority over immigration and national security. The ruling raised questions about the balance between national security and constitutional protections, as well as the extent […]
Pros and Cons of S.5446: The Electrifying Rural Transportation Act of 2024
BackgroundElectric vehicles (EVs) have gained significant traction in recent decades due to advances in battery technology, electric motor design, and increasing public receptivity. In the United States, EV sales rose from fewer than 160,000 units in 2016 to more than 1.39 million units in 2023. This surge has been driven largely by declining technology costs, […]
A Third Trump Term?: Debate and Future Prospects
In an interview with NBC on March 30th, 2025, President Donald Trump conveyed interest in pursuing a third term, stating he was “not joking” at the prospect and that “a lot of people want [him] to do it”. When questioned about how he planned to go about seeking a third term, Trump admitted that he […]
Understanding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Background In November 2024, Elon Musk posted on social media, “There should be no need for [Freedom of Information Act] requests. All government data should be default public for maximum transparency.” His statement reignited discussions on the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, a federal law enacted in 1966 that requires federal executive branch agencies […]
Understanding the Debate on AI in Electronic Health Records
Background Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the use of computer algorithms to process data and make decisions, ultimately streamlining administrative processes. In healthcare, AI is being increasingly integrated with Electronic Health Records (EHRs)—digital systems that store and manage patient health information, such as medical history and diagnoses. By 2021, almost 80% of office-based physicians and […]
Understanding the Connected MOM Act: Federal Intervention in State Maternal Health Medicaid Coverage
Introduction to Medicaid and Maternal Health Coverage Medicaid is a healthcare program designed to cover specific medical costs for individuals with lower incomes and limited resources. While the federal government sets baseline regulations and retains oversight authority over Medicaid programs, states maintain primary responsibility for program administration, which leads to variation in Medicaid coverage across […]
Understanding Title 42: The Intersection of Public Health and Immigration
What is Title 42? Title 42, established under the Public Health Service Act of 1944, grants the U.S. government authority to expel individuals recently present in a country with a communicable disease. Section 362 of the act allows the Surgeon General to halt the “introduction of persons or property” to prevent the spread of disease. […]
Pros and Cons of Congressional Term Limits
Background: What are Congressional Term Limits? While members of the U.S. House of Representatives serve two-year terms and U.S. Senators serve six-year terms, all Congresspeople are eligible for re-election indefinitely. As of 2023, U.S. Representatives served an average term of 8.5 years, while U.S. Senators served an average term of 11.2 years. Congressional term limits […]
Perspectives on the California Privacy Rights Act: America’s Strictest Data Privacy Law
Background and Key Provisions The California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), also known as Proposition 24, is a recently enacted law aimed at strengthening corporate regulations on data collection and processing in California. It acts as an addendum to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), a voter-initiated measure designed to enhance oversight of corporate data practices. […]
Journalist Accidentally Added to Military Planning Chat: What You Need to Know
On March 13, The Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg was inadvertently added to a Signal group chat that included senior Trump administration officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The group chat—titled “Houthi PC small group”—contained sensitive information about U.S. military operations. Two days after Goldberg was added to the chat, […]