Posts for March 17, 2017

These are the posts that are accumulated in our weekly newsletter which goes out throughout the school year. The posts are organized by the major units in our Constitutional Law (5^th ed.) student textbook.

I. Introduction to Law, the Constitution, and the Supreme Court [See TOPICS 1-10 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

AP Explains: The doctrine sure to emerge in Gorsuch hearings [AP, 3/16/17]: When Democrats question Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch at his Senate confirmation hearing next week, they'll probably ask a lot about something called 'Chevron deference.'

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_AP_EXPLAINS_GORSUCH_CHEVRON_DEFERENCE

Judge Gorsuch's Writings Signal He Would Be A Conservative On Social Issues [NPR, 3/16/17]: Supreme Court scholars and practitioners on the right and left may disagree about whether they want to see Gorsuch confirmed, but in general there is little doubt about the nominee's conservatism. Indeed, his conservative pedigree is the reason he was picked.

http://www.npr.org/2017/03/16/519501771/judge-gorsuchs-writings-signal-he-would-be-a-conservative-on-social-issues

Lawmakers warn judges ruling on travel bans against exceeding power; Rulings seen as political [Wash Times, 3/16/17]: This week’s rulings against President Trump’s revised executive order on travel and refugees have sparked heated pushback from Republicans on Capitol Hill, who say judges have crossed the line to become adversaries of this White House — and suggested retribution could be coming.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/mar/16/lawmakers-warn-judges-ruling-on-travel-bans-agains/

Alito: US's dedication to religious liberty being tested [McClatchy, 3/16/17]: The U.S. is entering a period when its commitment to religious liberty is being tested, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito told an audience Wednesday at an event sponsored by a Catholic lawyers’ organization.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/national-politics/article138786288.html

II. Defining the Political System: Federalism and Checks and Balances [See TOPICS 11-15 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Gloves off, California vs. Trump [Capitol Weekly, 3/16/17]: In the fight between President Trump and California over immigration, many wonder whether a state — even one as massive as this one — can successfully confront the White House. Thus far in Sacramento, the answer is yes — from the governor on down.

http://capitolweekly.net/california-trump-gloves-off/

The American Presidency [TOPIC 15]

These are the 19 agencies Trump would stop funding entirely [LA Times, 3/16/17]: Here’s a snapshot of the mission and history of the 19 independent agencies President Trump said he would stop funding entirely under his “budget blueprint.” Trump’s proposal also calls for deep cuts in other agencies and departments, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the State Department, and shifts federal resources to defense. 

http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-trump-budget-eliminated-funding-20170316-story.html

Trump’s Divided White House—Bannonites vs. Priebusites: Will It Work? [Justia, 3/17/17]: John W. Dean explains why President Trump’s strategy of pitting his advisors against each other is likely to result in more chaos than good policy. Building upon the thesis of Chris Whipple’s upcoming book, The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency, Dean discusses the importance of the role of chief of staff and describes what happens when this position is empty or filled with someone not up to the job.

https://verdict.justia.com/2017/03/17/trumps-divided-white-house-bannonites-vs-priebusites-will-work

Tillerson Raises Specter of Pre-Emptive Military Strike on North Korea [AP / CNS, 3/17/17]: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Friday it may be necessary to take pre-emptive military action against North Korea if the threat from their weapons program reaches a level “that we believe requires action.”

http://www.courthousenews.com/tillerson-use-pre-emptive-force-option-north-korea/

III. The Political System: Voting and Campaigns [See TOPICS 16-20 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)

House committee approves health care proposal [Jurist, 3/17/16]: The House Budget Committee on Thursday approved a proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The 19-17 vote, which received opposition from both parties, sends the American Health Care Act to the House Rules Committee. 

http://www.jurist.org/paperchase/2017/03/house-committee-approves-health-care-proposal.php

Petition to remove Congress members' health care subsidies gets nearly 500,000 signatures [SF Chron, 3/16/17]: An Oregon man has circulated a petition demanding that if Congress is willing to repeal the Affordable Care Act, its members should also be willing to forego their own health care subsidies. On Thursday afternoon, the Change.org petition had received more than 432,000 signatures, with a goal of 500,000 before it will be sent off to congressional leadership. 

http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Petition-to-remove-Congress-members-health-care-11007404.php

IV. Criminal Law and Procedure (4^th, 5^th, 6^th, and 8^th amendments) [See TOPICS 21-28 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit

V. 1^st Amendment (Speech, Religion, Press and Assembly) [See TOPICS 29-33 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

VI. 14^th Amendment, Discrimination, Privacy, Working, Citizenship & Immigration [See TOPICS 34-41 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit: