Category: Federal
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Biden announces two new federal judicial nominees
President Joe Biden (D) announced his intent to nominate two individuals to lifetime Article III judgeships on Nov. 17. With the addition of these two, Biden has nominated a total of 62 individuals to Article III judgeships since the start of his term. To date, 28 of Biden’s nominees have been confirmed by the U.S.…
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Idaho enacts new congressional and state legislative maps
On Nov. 12, 2021, the Idaho Independent Redistricting Commission formally submitted its final congressional and state legislative maps to the secretary of state, enacting new maps for the state’s two U.S. House districts and 35 legislative districts. The commission voted in favor of the final versions of both the congressional and state legislative maps on…
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Nevada enacts new congressional, legislative maps
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) signed new congressional and legislative maps into law on Nov. 16, 2021. These maps take effect for Nevada’s 2022 congressional and legislative elections. Nevada is the 14th state to enact congressional maps this redistricting cycle, and the 20th state to enact legislative maps. During the 2010 redistricting cycle, Nevada enacted…
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Biden issues no pardons or commutations through Sept. 30
From his inauguration through Sept. 30, President Joe Biden (D) issued no pardons or commutations. Since 1902, the other presidents not to issue a pardon or commutation in that same window of time were Barack Obama (D), George W. Bush (R), Bill Clinton (D), and Richard Nixon (R). Bush and Clinton did not issue a…
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SCOTUS grants review in arbitration case
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) accepted on Nov. 15 one case to its merits docket, Morgan v. Sundance, Inc. The case concerns arbitration clauses and the court’s ruling in AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion (2011). Morgan originated from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit. In AT&T Mobility LLC v.…
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Federal Register weekly update: 1,228 new pages added
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 regulatory activity, accounting for both regulatory and deregulatory actions. From November 8 through November 12, the Federal Register grew by 1,228 pages for a year-to-date…
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The 2022 Senate battlegrounds (so far)
Control of both chambers of Congress is at stake in the 2022 midterm elections. The Democratic and Republican caucuses currently split the Senate 50-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris (D) casting tie-breaking votes. Thirty-four Senate seats are up for election next year. Republicans currently hold 20 of those and Democrats, 14. Senate races in eight…
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SCOTUS accepts three cases for argument during the 2021-2022 term
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) on Nov. 5 accepted three additional cases for argument during its 2021-2022 term: Ruan v. United States (Consolidated with Kahn v. United States) Marietta Memorial Hospital Employee Health Benefit Plan v. DaVita, Inc. Egbert v. Boule Ruan concerns the good faith defense available to defendants charged under…
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Iowa, Massachusetts enact new district maps
Iowa enacted new congressional and state legislative maps, and Massachusetts enacted new state legislative maps, on Nov. 4. Nationwide, legislative redistricting has been completed for 444 of 1,972 state Senate seats (22.5%) and 1,243 of 5,411 state House seats (23.0%). In Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed new congressional and state legislative maps into law…