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State's Rights

featureabortion | Illustration: Joanna Andreasson Source images: iStock

Abortion

These Pro-Lifers Don't Love Abortion Bans

Reason talked with pro-life Americans who are uncomfortable with the post–Roe v. Wade abortion policy landscape.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 9.22.2024 6:00 AM

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris during the presidential debate | 	Gripas Yuri/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Abortion

On Abortion, Harris and Trump Were Both Right and Both Infuriatingly Wrong

Each candidate made some good points about reproductive freedom and each told some major whoppers.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 9.11.2024 12:03 PM

An anti abortion protester yells to protesters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Monday, July 15, 2024. The city of Milwaukee is hosting the 2024 Republican Convention which will run from July 15th through July 18th. Photo by Paul Beaty/UPI | PAUL BEATY/UPI/Newscom

Abortion

Why the New Republican Platform Is Moderate on Abortion

The party platform previously called for a constitutional amendment to protect unborn children. Now, it says abortion should be left to the states.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 7.17.2024 11:59 AM

Pro-life and pro-choice protesters yelling at a protest | Alex Wong/Getty

Abortion

Dobbs Is Reshaping American Politics

A wave of ballot measures reminds us most Americans are moderate on abortion.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 11.5.2023 6:00 AM

zumaamericastwentyeight729533 | Watchara Phomicinda/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Decentralization

If You Want To Fix the Country, Devolve Power

Revived federalism is a start, but it doesn’t go far enough.

J.D. Tuccille | 5.7.2021 7:00 AM

8111919_thumb | Graphic by Lex Villena

Gun Control

More Than A Dozen States Are Trying To Nullify Federal Gun Control

Conservative state legislators are taking a page from the playbook of pro-immigration activists and the marijuana legalization movement.

John Osterhoudt | 4.14.2021 11:35 AM

featureROEWADE | Illustration: Joanna Andreasson; Source images: Wikipedia

Abortion

The Right to an Abortion Isn't Going Away

While overturning Roe v. Wade would lead to new restrictions in many states, legal access to abortion would be unaffected in most of the country.

Jacob Sullum | 4.2.2021 6:00 AM

sipaphotossix477353 | Omer Messinger/Sipa USA/Newscom

Coronavirus

Will COVID-19 Help Americans Break the Habit of Deferring to Centralized Authority?

We may find that we like making our own decisions.

J.D. Tuccille | 4.17.2020 12:05 PM

dpaphotosfour499634 | Yuri Gripas/picture alliance / Consolidated/Newscom

Reason Roundup

Trump Claims He Has 'Total' Authority Over When States End Social Distancing Rules. He's Wrong.

Plus: Americans plan to stay home for months, courts block more abortion bans, Amash "looking closely" at presidential run, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 4.14.2020 9:30 AM

sipaphotosseven173450 | Albin Lohr-Jones/Sipa USA/Newscom

Federalism

With A Republican in the White House, Democrats Rediscover the Virtues of Federalism

Give the Republican Party control of the White House and Congress, and it's only a matter of time before Democrats discover the virtues of devolving authority to state and local governments.

Ira Stoll | 9.23.2019 4:00 PM

Large image on homepages | Wikimedia

Drugs

If Even Utah Has Gone Soft on Pot, Can the Nation Be Far Behind?

Nearly a quarter of the U.S. population lives in a jurisdiction where recreational use is legal.

Jacob Sullum | 1.6.2019 6:00 AM

Large image on homepages | Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA/Newscom

Sanctuary Cities

A Supreme Court Decision About Sports Betting May Help Protect Sanctuary Cities from the Feds

A rule covering immigration communications between state and federal officials may be unconstitutional.

Scott Shackford | 7.27.2018 1:50 PM

Large image on homepages | Joanna Andreasson

Drugs

Marijuana Memo Makes a Mess

Trump 'absolutely' opposed the federal crackdown his attorney general seems to want.

Jacob Sullum | 5.1.2018 12:00 PM

Large image on homepages | Yotrak / Dreamstime

Agriculture

Unconstitutional State Food, Agriculture Crackdowns Spur Congress to Act

States like Massachusetts attempt to control how farms outside their borders operate.

Baylen Linnekin | 8.12.2017 8:00 AM

Large image on homepages | BlackPast.org

Donald Trump

Suggestions for My Liberal Friends on How to Play Defense Against Trump

Federalism is your friend, as is non-hysterical specificity in combating authoritarianism

Matt Welch | 11.17.2016 10:35 AM

Large image on homepages | Jayron32/Wikipedia Commons

State Governments

Federalism?Freedom

State and local tyrants are still tyrants.

Veronique de Rugy | 6.14.2016 6:00 AM

Large image on homepages

Politics

A State's Rights Approach to Immigration Reform

Allowing states to issue their own guest worker visas will enhance national security and economy.

Shikha Dalmia | 12.7.2015 2:00 PM

Large image on homepages

Politics

Sen. John McCain: 'States Should Decide' Pot Legalization

Arizona senator does not believe legalizing marijuana is a good idea.

Nick Gillespie, Meredith Bragg, and Todd Krainin | 9.25.2015 5:35 PM

Large image on homepages | cc

Politics

Take Back the Land

Utah sovereignty

J.D. Tuccille | 3.31.2014 7:00 AM

Politics

Rand Paul Says He Doesn't Understand Same-Sex Marriage

But opposes DOMA on the states' rights grounds

Reason Staff | 1.31.2013 11:30 AM

Politics

Texas Judge Rules State May Cut Funding to Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood has asked for a restraining order against enforcing the ban

Reason Staff | 12.31.2012 1:48 PM

Policy

Americans Don't Want Feds to Interfere with State Pot Laws

According to latest poll

Reason Staff | 12.10.2012 9:00 PM

Politics

Reason Writers Around Town: Shikha Dalmia on What America Can Learn From Canada About Rational Immigration Laws

Reason Staff | 11.30.2012 3:33 PM

Policy

GOP Governors Tackle ObamaCare Challenges

"Repeal and Replace" isn't happening, so now what?

Reason Staff | 11.8.2012 12:30 PM

Policy

States Step Up to Oppose Defense of Marriage Act

Gay-marriage friendly states ask Supreme Court to strike it down

Reason Staff | 9.8.2012 12:15 PM

Civil Liberties

Is it Time for a State Repeal Amendment in Constitution?

Allow two-thirds of states to vote to repeal any federal law.

Reason Staff | 8.10.2012 6:15 PM

Politics

Could Medicaid Ruling Lead to Challenges to Other "Voluntary" Federal Funding Regulations?

Scott Shackford | 6.28.2012 4:49 PM

Politics

Prop. 8 or DOMA (or Both): Which Will SCOTUS Take On?

Scott Shackford | 6.5.2012 3:50 PM

Politics

Kelsey Grammer's Libertarianism; Scott Dilbert's Federalism

Matt Welch | 10.18.2011 9:03 AM

Politics

The 10th Amendment Lives! (Maybe)

Brian Doherty | 2.18.2011 1:32 PM

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