Pros and Cons of the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2023
Background Information Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the patent landscape, creating an influx of patent applications that mirrors a rise in modern-day innovation. However, the discussion of patentable inventions under U.S. law lags behind. The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2023 (PERA) aims to address this by reversing court rulings that have narrowed the scope […]
Maternal Mortality Review Committees and the PMDR Reauthorization of 2023: Key Perspectives
Introduction The United States faces a maternal mortality crisis, with maternal death rates significantly higher than other high-income nations. According to the CDC, maternal mortality disproportionately affects Black, Indigenous, and rural communities, with Black women experiencing maternal deaths at 2.6 times the rate of White women. The factors contributing to these disparities are complex and […]
President Trump Invokes the Alien Enemies Act: Updates and What Comes Next
On March 15th, Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 in order to speed up the deportations of Venezuelan immigrants, specifically targeting the Tren de Aragua prison gang. Under this Act, the president has the authority to “detain, apprehend, and deport noncitizens from nations deemed hostile” during wartime without needing to appear before […]
Understanding NYC’s “The City of Yes” Housing Opportunity
Introduction: The Affordable Housing Crisis New York City is the most populous city in the United States by a significant margin. With such a substantial population and continuous growth, the expansion of affordable housing in the city has been a critical policy area for the past few decades. In 2013, NYC’s Department of Housing Preservation […]
Understanding Chronic Disease Management Programs: Comparing New York and Georgia
Background Information In 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), expanded Medicaid coverage for people from low-income backgrounds who were previously uninsured due to Medicaid’s previous eligibility requirements. The Medicaid expansion addressed a phenomenon known as the coverage gap, which occurs when an individual’s income is too high to qualify for their state’s Medicaid program but […]
Pros and Cons of S.B. 3732: The Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act
Introduction The rise in the prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI) has had significant impacts on the environment. This includes the electricity required to power the technology, the release of hundreds of tons of carbon emissions, and the depletion of freshwater resources for data center cooling. For example, AI data centers in the U.S. use about […]
Understanding Data Privacy Protections: ADPPA and APRA
Data privacy is an ongoing concern for Americans. A national study from 2014 found that over 90% of respondents believed they had lost control of how their personal data is used by companies, and that 80% were concerned about government surveillance of online communications. Nearly a decade later, the vast majority of Americans remained concerned […]
English as the New Standard: Understanding Language Policies Under Trump
English as the Official Language of the U.S. On March 1st, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order declaring English as the official language of the United States. This marks the first time the country has ever designated an official language in its nearly 250-year history. Currently, thirty states have already established English as their […]
Pros and Cons of California SB-1047: The AI Regulation Debate
Background With the recent emergence of ChatGPT, artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed from an obscure mechanism to a widely-used tool in day-to-day life. Around 77% of devices integrate some form of AI in voice assistants, smart speakers, chatbots, or customized recommendations. Still, while at least half of Americans are aware of AI’s presence in their […]
Expedited Removal: History, Debate, and Modern Implications
Introduction Immediately after his inauguration, President Trump began introducing sweeping changes to U.S. immigration policy. One major change took place on January 21st, 2025, when the Trump administration broadened expedited removal for noncitizens. Expedited removal is a process that allows U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials to rapidly deport noncitizens who are undocumented or […]