Category: Federal
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U.S. Senate approves resolution to reverse Trump-era rule about how banking laws apply to certain loans
The U.S. Senate passed a resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) on May 11 to block a rule made by the U.S. Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in Oct. 2020. The final vote was 52-47, with three Republicans, Susan Collins (Maine), Cynthia Lummis (Wyo.), and Marco Rubio (Fla.), voting in favor of the resolution.…
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SCOTUS accepts three new cases for its 2021-2022 term
The U.S. Supreme Court accepted three new cases for review during its 2021-2022 term on May 17. With the addition of these cases, the court has agreed to hear 17 cases during the term, which is scheduled to begin on October 4, 2021. • Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization concerns the constitutionality of a…
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Checks and Balances: Biden EO spurs removal of publicly available guidance document portals
The Checks and Balances Letter delivers news and information from Ballotpedia’s Administrative State Project, including pivotal actions at the federal and state levels related to the separation of powers, due process and the rule of law. This edition: In this month’s edition of Checks and Balances, we review the removal of publicly accessible guidance document…
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Stefanik replaces Cheney as Republican conference chair
On May 14, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) was elected the new Republican conference chair by a vote of 134-46. She succeeds Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), who was removed from the position on May 12. Cheney was one of 10 House Republicans to support the second impeachment of President Donald Trump (R) following the Jan. 6,…
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Gov. Greg Abbott sets runoff in Texas’ 6th Congressional District for July 27
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced that the special runoff election to fill the vacancy in Texas’ 6th Congressional District will take place on July 27, 2021. The two candidates in the runoff are Jake Ellzey (R) and Susan Wright (R). Since they are both Republicans, the seat will not change party hands as a…
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President Biden announces intent to nominate six to federal judgeships
President Joe Biden (D) announced his intent to nominate six individuals to Article III judgeships with lifetime terms on May 12: Gustavo Gelpí, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit Eunice Lee, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit Veronica Rossman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit Angel Kelley, U.S. District…
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Federal Register weekly update: 639 new documents issued
The Federal Register is a daily journal of federal government activity that includes presidential documents, proposed and final rules, and public notices. It is a common measure of an administration’s overall regulatory activity, accounting for both regulatory and deregulatory actions. From May 3 through May 7, the Federal Register grew by 1,460 pages for a…
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Ballotpedia releases federal judicial vacancy count for April 2021
In this month’s federal judicial vacancy count, Ballotpedia tracked nominations, confirmations, and vacancies to all United States Article III federal courts from April 1 to May 1, 2021. Ballotpedia publishes the federal judicial vacancy count at the start of each month. HIGHLIGHTS Vacancies: There have been six new judicial vacancies since the March 2021 report.…
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U.S. Supreme Court holds rare May sitting on May 4
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) held its May argument sitting on May 4, hearing one case in a one-hour session. In keeping with each sitting of this term, the court heard arguments remotely and provided live audio to the public. Terry v. United States concerns sentencing reductions for crack cocaine offenses. In…
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U.S. Senate approves resolution to reverse Trump-era methane rule and restore standards set by Obama administration
The U.S. Senate passed a resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) on April 28 to block a rule made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Sept. 2020. The final vote was 52-42, with three Republicans, Susan Collins (Maine), Lindsay Graham (S.C.), and Rob Portman (Ohio), voting in favor of the resolution. 49 Democrats…