How to Go From Government Shutdown to National Emergency in Just Two Weeks: Reason Roundup
Plus: Congress forgets to fund the First Step Act, The New York Times chastises smug politicians over Amazon, and what if the U.S. were 100 city-states?
Law & Government
Spending Bill Ignores Promised Funding for Major Criminal Justice Reform Passed Last Year
The FIRST STEP Act was supposed to get $75 million to fund reentry programs and job training. That's missing from the budget bill being voted on Thursday.
The Perils of Trying to Use Emergency Powers to Build Trump's Wall
A summary of the reasons why Trump lacks the power to use emergency powers to build his border wall, and why it would cause great harm and set a dangerous precedent if he did. Other than that, it's a great idea!
Marijuana Activist Who Live-Streamed Meeting With Congressional Staffer Charged With 'Illegal Wiretap'
Rep. Andy Harris's (R-Md.) office refuses to say whether the congressman supports prosecution of the young activist.
Trump Plans To Sign Border Deal and Declare National Emergency. Here's What That Could Mean.
Trump won't rely on Congress to fund his 200 miles of border wall.
Last Year Saw 'Furthest-Reaching Attempt to Censor Online Speech' Since the 1990s, Say FOSTA Challengers
As the lawsuit against FOSTA hits appeals court, three essays about the law that everyone should read.
New Bipartisan Spending Deal Includes Billions More for Border Barriers, TSA, and Everything In Between
With the federal government $22 trillion in debt, Congress has decided to spend more money.
House Passes Bill To End U.S. Support for Saudi Involvement in Yemen; Rep. Justin Amash Votes 'Present'
Amash had an interesting reason for not voting "yes."
What Happened at the House Science Committee Hearing on the State of the Climate, and Why It Matters
Extreme weather events around the globe have tripled since the 1980s, but what's happening in the U.S.?
It Looks Like Trump Will Sign Border Deal and Dodge Another Government Shutdown
Make no mistake about it, avoiding another shutdown is for the best.
National Debt Hits a New Record High: $22 Trillion
A new record, but one that won't stand for long.
Is Another Government Shutdown Imminent? Only Trump Knows!
Congressional leaders have reached a compromise. But Trump will have the final say.
Here's Why Rand Paul Will Vote 'No' on AG Nominee William Barr
Paul cited Barr's past support for warrantless surveillance. He's right to be worried.
Arizona Could Become the First State to Recognize Occupational Licenses From Other States
Licensing laws tend to lock workers in place, but Gov. Doug Ducey says it's time to stop that foolishness.
Critiquing Israel Policy Worse Than White Nationalism, Says GOP Leader: Reason Roundup
Plus: Klobuchar and Warren join Democrat 2020 contest and AOC retracts "Green New Deal" draft.
Mike Lee Teams Up With Kamala Harris to Scrap Green Card Caps
Currently, no more than 7 percent of green cards handed out in a single year can go to immigrants from the same country.
After State of the Union, Republicans Face a Crucial Choice on Trade
There are dueling bills in front of Congress, both backed by Republicans. One would expand Trump's tariff authority, while the other would check it.
Cory Booker Asked Neomi Rao If She Ever Hired LGBT Law Clerks. She's Never Been a Judge.
The senator has a history of grandstanding during judicial hearings.
Rep. Justin Amash Highlights 'Two Outstanding Lines' From Trump's SOTU
But Amash's reaction wasn't all positive.
No Evidence to Back Trump's SOTU Sex-Trafficking Claims: Reason Roundup
Plus: New York's CBD-foods crackdown, Laura Loomer gets booted from PayPayl, and more hits from last night's speech.
Trump Said He Wants Legal Immigrants To Come 'In the Largest Numbers Ever.' Really?
He was off script, and he probably hasn't checked with his ultra-restrictionist White House aide Stephen Miller.
The State of the Union Is Rockets, Socialism, Alliteration, and Nazis: Podcast
"The agenda I will lay out this evening is not a Republican Agenda or a Democrat Agenda. It is the agenda of the American People."
The Rhetorical and Substantive Limits of Trump's American Greatness
The president talks a good game about driving into the future, but his eyes are glued to the rear-view mirror.
What Was Missing From Trump's State of the Union? America's $1 Trillion Deficit
Or the $22 trillion (and counting) national debt. Or the entitlement programs that will continue adding to them.
Rebuilding America's 'Crumbling Infrastructure' Gets Half-Hearted Shoutout in Trump's State of the Union Address
The president proposed a $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan in his previous State of the Union address.
Watch Bernie Sanders' Red, Frowning Face as Trump Slams Socialism During SOTU
Sanders is an avowed democratic socialist.
Trump Says in State of the Union He Wants to Wipe Out AIDS. Should We Be Skeptical?
Ending the spread of HIV is within our reach, but the administration's approach to opioid abuse is a problem.
Trump's 'Right To Try' Law Has Helped at Least Two People So Far. Give Credit Where It's Due.
But there's a long way to go before patients have control over their own medical care.
Trump Recognizes 2 Formerly Incarcerated People in State of the Union Speech
"America is a Nation that believes in redemption."
Trump Denounces 'Endless War,' Teases Aggressive Stance on Venezuela in SOTU Address
The president's speech was a mixed bag on foreign policy.
Kamala Harris Blasts Trump for 'Cutting Red Tape' in SOTU Prebuttal
But she provided very little evidence to back up her claims.
Here's the Cocktail You Should Drink During Trump's State of the Union Tonight
The Last Word is what every politician wants. It's better in boozy form.
The Libertarian Party State of the Union: 'Americans deserve better' than 'Republicans and Democrats careen[ing] toward socialism and fascism'
Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Hewitt delivers the L.P.'s prebuttal to tonight's SOTU, while the L.A. Times asks whether Hewitt can "make a fringe party mainstream."
A Hemp Company Sues After Police Mistake Their Product for Weed
Idaho police seized the product and charged the driver with a felony.
Some Democrats Are Mad at Bernie Sanders for Daring to Give SOTU Rebuttal—After Stacey Abrams Gives Hers
"Why is he talking over the black woman our party chose to speak for us?"
Republican Senator Pitches Weird Conspiracy Theory About Weed Legalization, Menthol Cigarettes, and the FDA
Sen. Richard Burr raises an interesting point about onerous regulation, but his argument is baffling.
Trump's State of the Union Will Probably Be About a Border Wall That 60% of Americans Say They Don't Want
The president has devoted himself to a pointless, self-defeating project.
A Libertarian Litigator Dons the Judge's Robes
Clint Bolick, a co-founder of the Institute for Justice, was for years one of the libertarian movement's most successful trial lawyers.
Refusal to Testify = Being Accessory After the Fact
An interesting 2018 California case I just came across.
Remember 'T-Bone,' Cory Booker's Imaginary Drug Dealer Friend?
The New Jersey senator is a friend of criminal justice reform, but his best friend might steal the spotlight.
A Charter School Moratorium Will Not Fix What Ails L.A.'s Education System
The district's budget is broken, and the latest deal with the unions will make it worse.
Bernie Sanders Wants To Seize 77% of Dead Billionaires' Estates
The estate tax is a form of double taxation.
Is Congress Finally Getting Serious About Stopping Trump's Tariffs?
A bipartisan, bicameral proposal would stop Trump from using the tired "national security" excuse to justify his protectionist trade policies.
The Ongoing Gratuitous Cruelty of Trump's Travel Ban
The way the travel ban policy has been implemented both before and after the Supreme Court's decision further underscores the magnitude of the Justices' mistake.
Who's Afraid of Howard Schultz? Just About Everyone, and They're Right To Be
The former Starbucks CEO is getting dragged by liberals and progressives because he is talking about debt and spending in ways they don't like.
Can Public Pensions Survive the Next Recession?
"Public pension systems may be more vulnerable to an economic downturn than they have ever been."
