Category Archives: legislation and legislatures

Breaking: Divided DC Circuit Queues Up New Major Obamacare Case for Possible #SCOTUS Review

August 7, 2015, 9:21 amlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

In 61 pages of dueling opinions, the D.C. Circuit has rejected a request to take en banc yet another challenge to the Obamacare law, one grounded in the “Origination Clause” of the Constitution (providing that all bills which raise… Continue reading

“Democrats Make Advances, but House Still Proves Elusive”

July 6, 2015, 7:11 amlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarization, redistrictingRick Hasen

John Harwood NYT: From one vantage point, recent advances on race, gay rights and health care give the impression of powerful momentum for America’s liberal Democrats. But inside one of Washington’s power centers, they are running straight into a wall… Continue reading

“Unfounded accusations should not distract from OCE’s successful record (The Hill)”

June 1, 2015, 1:44 pmethics investigations, legislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

Meredith McGehee writes.

“House, Obama Administration Clash Over Health Care Law”

May 28, 2015, 1:18 pmlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

Mike Sacks for the NLJ: U.S. District Judge Rosemary Collyer in Washington cast a skeptical eye Thursday over the Justice Department’s effort to keep the House of Representatives’ health care suit out of court. The House filed suit in November… Continue reading

“Mary Landrieu takes job at Washington lobbying firm”

May 26, 2015, 8:10 amlegislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

She’ll have to pretend she’s giving “strategic advice” until the 2-year lobbying waiting period for Senators expires.

“Amid gridlock in D.C., influence industry expands rapidly in the states”

May 11, 2015, 7:22 amlegislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

Reid Wilson for WaPo.

“Court dismisses Congressman Rangel’s challenge to his House censure”

May 9, 2015, 8:03 amlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

McClatchy.

“Ballotpedia Issues Massively Detailed Report on Competition in U.S. Elections 1972-2014”

May 7, 2015, 8:48 amballot access, legislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

BAN: Ballotpedia has issued this report on competition in U.S. elections for state and federal office. There are so many fascinating and important conclusions, it would be a disservice to readers to try to single out any particular findings.… Continue reading

“Parties Coming to More Agreement (Just Not on Who Deserves Credit)”

May 5, 2015, 7:32 amlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

Carl Hulse NYT analysis.

Florida Legislator Proposes Amendment Adding Emoticon to Bill

April 9, 2015, 7:12 amlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

It is a winking smiley.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Troubling Decision in the Lois Lerner Case”

April 1, 2015, 4:37 pmlegislation and legislatures, tax law and election lawRick Hasen

Michael Stern blogs.

“Trucking and Rail Industries Turn State Troopers Into Unwitting Lobbyists”

April 1, 2015, 12:49 pmlegislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

Fascinating NYT report.

“After the Override: An Empirical Analysis of Shadow Precedent”

March 31, 2015, 7:09 amlegislation and legislatures, statutory interpretation, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Brian Broughman and Deborah Widiss have posted this draft on SSRN. Here is the abstract: Abstract: The ability of Congress to override judicial interpretations of statutory language is central to legislative supremacy. Both political science and legal scholarship assume, often… Continue reading

“How to Avoid the Sex-Trafficking Bill’s ‘Surprise’”

March 24, 2015, 8:50 pmlegislation and legislatures, statutory interpretationRick Hasen

NYT’s The Upshot: A once-popular bill to help victims of sex trafficking was derailed in the Senate recently when Democrats discovered that language restricting funding for abortions was in the bill — sneaked in, they charged, by Republicans. If… Continue reading