The RESTRICT Act Would Restrict a Lot More Than TikTok
Once again, politicians use popular fears to push for open-ended power.
Legislation
Senate Finally Revokes the President's Authority To Bomb Iraq
Revoking the 1991 and 2002 authorizations for the use of military force would be a good start, but the 2001 authorization has been used dozens of times to justify conflicts in numerous countries.
Idaho Bill Would Ban 'Transporting' a Minor for an Abortion Without Her Parents' Permission
"Taking that child across the border, and if that happens without the permission of the parent, that's where we'll be able to hold accountable those that would subvert a parent's right," said one of the bill's sponsors.
This Year's Farm Bill Threatens To Be a Bigger Monster Than Ever
The massive piece of legislation embodies all that is wrong with American lawmaking.
The Israeli Fight Over Judicial Review Highlights the Dangers of Unconstrained Democracy
Opponents of the proposed reforms are right that unlimited majority rule is a recipe for tyranny.
Ron DeSantis Signs Bill Expanding School Choice to All Florida Students
The Florida governor has a history of using state power to bully Florida schools over speech he doesn't like. H.B. 1 may accomplish his goal while ceding power to parents.
Michigan Repeals Right-To-Work Law
A decade as a right-to-work state made Michigan better off.
Trump's Anti–First Amendment Skylarking Is DeSantis' Anti–First Amendment Action
The former president wanted to "open up" defamation laws. The governor of Florida is about to try.
The Inflation Reduction Act Is Screwing Up the Market for Electric Vehicles
Volkswagen unveiled a cheap new electric concept car, but protectionist policies mean it's not worthwhile for the company to introduce it in the U.S.
Idaho Likely To Authorize Execution by Firing Squad
"The firing squad, in my opinion, is beneath the dignity of the state of Idaho," said one state senator. "We have to find a better way."
China's Purchases of U.S. Land Stoke Bipartisan Panic, Just Like Japan's Did In the 1980s
People panicked in the 1980s that Japan's economic largesse posed a grave threat to American interests. Then the market reined it in.
In the Israeli Battle Over Judicial Review, Democracy Is the Problem, Not the Solution
Opponents of the reforms favored by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition should acknowledge the threat posed by unconstrained majority rule.
Critics Lose Their Mind as Arkansas Makes It a Bit Easier for Teens To Work
Youth employment is a recognized path to greater prosperity.
Meet the Students Pushing Back Against Socialism
"It's very easy for politicians to legislate freedom away," says Northwood University's Kristin Tokarev. "But it's incredibly hard to get back."
Ron DeSantis Disavows Bill That Would Require Political Bloggers To Register With the Government
State legislators "have independent agency to do things. I don't control every single bill that has been filed," said DeSantis on Tuesday.
Politicians Use Subsidies To Squeeze Semiconductor Manufacturers
When politicians manipulate industry, the public pays the price.
SCOTUS Questions the Government's Absurdly Broad Definition of 'Aggravated Identity Theft'
According to the Justice Department's reading of the law, the crime need not involve impersonation or even fraud.
Virginia Next for Occupational Licensing Reform
The state will fast-track applicants who have out-of-state credentials or experience.
Ron DeSantis Wants To Cultivate 'Viewpoint Diversity' by Censoring Universities
Florida's H.B. 999 claims to support "viewpoint diversity" and "intellectual rigor." It does just the opposite.
Bad New Idea From Florida: Ban Dogs From Sticking Their Heads Out of Car Windows
It’s ruff going for the state’s canines.
Ron DeSantis Wants To Rewrite Defamation Law
"The bill is an aggressive and blatantly unconstitutional attempt to rewrite defamation law in a manner that protects the powerful from criticism by journalists and the public," said one attorney.
Colorado Is the Latest State To Consider Rent Control
Plus: The U.S. Supreme Court considers another internet free speech case, the Department of Transportation pushes expensive new rail regs, and more...
New York Floats a Crackdown on Independent Workers
Like California’s ruinous A.B. 5, the proposal would greatly harm freelance employment.
New California Bill Proposes Legalizing Authentic Cannabis Cafes
Cannabis consumers should have the same commercial leisure spaces that alcohol drinkers do.
This Texas Bill Could Bar Certain Immigrants From Buying Property in the State
Gov. Greg Abbott has already announced that he’d sign the bill if passed.
House Republicans Want a Vote On the FairTax. Is It Worth Supporting?
The status quo is certainly worth challenging.
Fixing Congress' Broken Appropriations Process Is Worth This Mess
This week's Republican revolt against Kevin McCarthy is actually a rank-and-file revolt against the top-down process that both parties have used to control the House in recent years.
Canada Threatens Free Speech in the Guise of Nationalistic Obsessions
Demands by lawmakers and government officials for locally produced content may lead to online censorship.
The Kids Online Safety Act Would Make It Less Safe Online
The bill would amp up surveillance while doing little to actually protect anyone.
Georgia Sets Early Voting Record, Despite Controversial Voting Law
Many opponents, including the president, criticized the law in misleading terms, obscuring its very real issues.
Bill Introduced To Bring Independent Oversight to Federal Prison System
The Federal Prison Oversight Act would create an independent ombudsman to investigate complaints about the Bureau of Prisons, something prison advocacy groups have long called for.
There's Nothing Legacy-Defining About the Inflation Reduction Act
Plus: The editors consider the state of freedom in the U.S. compared with other developed nations.
The Democrats' New Inflation Bill Includes Tax Credits for Electric Vehicles That Don't Exist
Even Democrats are criticizing the bill's unrealistic expectations.
Republicans Seek Child Support Payments for Fetuses
Plus: Judge blocks Title IX guidance, Amazon admits turning over Ring surveillance footage to cops, and more...
New Japanese Law Makes 'Online Insults' a Jailable Offense
Dedication to free speech is in short supply around the world, with Britain and Canada previously considering similar bills.
Here's What Abortion Laws in a Post-Roe World Might Look Like
A pro-life group's model legislation hints at how extreme enforcing abortion bans could get.
Here Is a State-by-State Rundown of What Will Happen Now That SCOTUS Has Freed Lawmakers To Restrict Abortion
Most states are unlikely to enact bans, but 22 either have them already or probably will soon.
A Bipartisan Tech Antitrust Bill May Soon Pass. It's Still a Bad Idea.
The legislation is likely to have a number of negative consequences for consumers.
Josh Hawley Targets Disney With Copyright Legislation
Despite the senator's clear culture war animus, there are things to like about his bill.
Marco Rubio Wants To Fight Abortion and Trans Battles in the Tax Code
Tax loopholes for corporations end up making it easier for politicians like Rubio to meddle in private decision making.
Anti-Tech Antitrust Bill Draws Criticism From All Sides
Plus: CBD could prevent COVID-19, gun owner privacy is at risk in California, and more...
Bipartisan 'Innovation and Choice Online Act' Would Harm Innovation and Choice
In the name of fostering innovation and choice, the bill would accomplish neither.
Legislators Hid a Sneaky Crypto Reporting Provision in the Infrastructure Bill
It's even worse than the widely-skewered broker provision.
Biden's Build Back Better Plan Contains One Potentially Helpful Housing Program
Funding for affordable housing and grants to incentivize streamlining zoning laws could represent a policy win for YIMBYs.
The Good and the Bad in the 666 Bills That Took Effect This Week in Texas
While libertarians will be inclined to applaud some of the new laws, others exemplify familiar conservative excesses.
In Oklahoma and Texas, Parents Who Let Their Kids Play Outside Will No Longer Fear Neglect Charges
The Reasonable Childhood Independence bills restore basic freedoms to kids and their families.
RIP Mark Schlefer, the Man Who Made FOIA Happen
"In the drafting, we were adamant that you didn't have to have an interest to have access. You could just be a citizen."
