Posts for April 2, 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 (5th ed.) student textbook.
I. Introduction to Law, the
Constitution, and the Supreme Court [See TOPICS 1-10 in the 5th
edition of Constitutional Law]
Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:
The Constitution doesn't
mean what you think it means [Boston Globe, 4/2/17]: The tradition of American constitutionalism, practiced
by judges of all political persuasions over two centuries, has always held out
an important place for history in the interpretation of the Constitution. But
originalism is not constitutionalism.
Gorsuch nomination
and hearings
Political fights over
Supreme Court seats nothing new [AP, 4/2/17]: Wondering
when Supreme Court nominations became so politically contentious? Only about 222
years ago - when the Senate voted down George Washington's choice for chief
justice.
Supreme Court nominee Neil
Gorsuch picks and chooses past precedents [USA Today, 4/1/17]: Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch says judges should
focus "backward, not forward" when deciding cases by looking, among
other things, to past court precedents. But through more than twenty hours of testimony
before Congress, he only grudgingly endorsed the oldest and most popular
of those precedents, refusing to offer his opinions on those decided in recent
decades and by narrow majorities.
Why everyone is
waiting to hear from these Democrats on Neil Gorsuch [CNN, 4/1/17]: One week before the Senate votes on Neil Gorsuch's
nomination, it's unclear yet whether Republicans will have enough votes to end
an expected Democratic filibuster.
II. Defining the Political
System: Federalism and Checks and Balances [See TOPICS 11-15
in the 5th edition of Constitutional
Law] Here are recent articles that are relevant to this unit:
The
American Presidency [TOPIC 15]
Speier on Nunes controversy: 'Absolutely convinced it
started in the Oval Office' [Politico, 4/1/17]: Rep. Jackie Speier, a
member of the House Intelligence Committee, said Saturday she is “absolutely
convinced” the White House generated the bizarre scenario that has embroiled
committee chair Rep. Devin Nunes -— in which he reportedly obtained information
from administration officials regarding foreign surveillance of Trump campaign
officials, and then presented it to the president.
III. The Political System: Voting and Campaigns
[See TOPICS 16-20 in the 5th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are
relevant to this unit:
Legislation and the Legislative
Process (TOPIC 20)
Democrats have a new and surprising weapon on Capitol
Hill: Power [Wash Post, 4/1/17]: It turns out that Republicans need
the minority party to help them avoid a government shutdown at the end of
April, when the current spending deal to fund the government expires. And
Democrats have decided, for now at least, that they will use their leverage to
reassert themselves and ensure the continued funding of their top priorities —
by negotiating with Republicans.
IV. Criminal Law and Procedure (4th, 5th,
6th, and 8th amendments) [See TOPICS 21-28 in
the 5th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some
recent articles that are relevant to this unit
V. 1st Amendment
(Speech, Religion, Press and Assembly)
[See TOPICS 29-33 in the 5th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that
are relevant to this unit:
VI. 14th
Amendment, Discrimination, Privacy, Working, Citizenship & Immigration [See TOPICS 34-41 in the 5th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to
this unit:
International Law, Citizenship
and Immigration [TOPIC 40-42]
Evaluate New Travel Ban in Light of International Law [Jurist,
3/16/17]: Professor Cohn discusses the
constitutional violations resulting from the executive order banning nationals
from six Muslim-majority countries
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