Category: Federal
-
Federal judge issues order regarding inmate releases at federal prison in Ohio
On May 19, U.S. District Court Judge James Gwin for the Northern District of Ohio ordered the Bureau of Prisons to expedite the release of 837 medically vulnerable inmates in Ohio’s Elkton Federal Correctional Institute through home confinement or compassionate release due to the coronavirus pandemic. In his order, the judge cited “poor progress in…
-
U.S. extends travel restrictions on Canada and Mexico through June 22
On Tuesday, May 19, acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf announced the U.S. would extend travel restrictions in place at the Canadian and Mexican borders another 30 days to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. The restrictions, initially put in place in late March in coordination with both countries, closed the borders to nonessential travel.…
-
U.S. Supreme Court rules plaintiffs can seek punitive damages for 1998 bombings
The U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion in Opati v. Republic of Sudan. The case originated in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and was argued on February 24, 2020. It concerned the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) and questioned if the Act prohibited plaintiffs from recovering punitive damages against…
-
Burr steps down as Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman
Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) temporarily stepped down from the chairmanship of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, effective at the end of the day on May 15. Burr’s decision to resign was announced one day after the FBI served him a search warrant at his residence in Washington, D.C. Burr is one of several…
-
Federal Register weekly update; lowest weekly final rule total since January
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. From May 11 to May 15, the Federal Register grew by 1,946 pages for a year-to-date total of 29,590 pages. Over the same…
-
U.S. Supreme Court rules Lucky Brand not barred from raising new claims in trademark infringement case
Lucky Brand Dungarees v. Marcel Fashion Group was argued on January 13, 2020. The case came on a writ of certiorari to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit. It concerned trademark infringement and three legal challenges between apparel companies Marcel Fashion Group, Inc. (“Marcel”) and Lucky Brand Dungarees, Inc. (“Lucky Brand”). The…
-
Eastman wins Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary
The statewide primary for Nebraska was held on May 12, 2020. Candidates competed to advance to the general election scheduled for November 3, 2020. Candidates ran in primaries for one U.S. Senate seat and three U.S. House seats. In the U.S. Senate Republican primary, incumbent Ben Sasse (R) faced one challenger and received 75% of…
-
Oregon congressional primary to take place on May 19
The congressional primary in Oregon will be held on May 19. The filing deadline to run passed on March 10. Candidates are running in elections for the following offices: • U.S. Senate (one seat) • U.S. House District 1 • U.S. House District 2 • U.S. House District 3 • U.S. House District 4 •…
-
Filing deadline passes to run for U.S. House in Washington
On May 15, 2020, the filing deadline passed to run for congressional offices in Washington. Candidates filed for each of Washington’s 10 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. The primary is scheduled for August 4, 2020, and the general election is scheduled for November 3. Washington’s statewide filing deadline was the 38th to take…
-
Garcia (R) defeats Smith (D) in special election for California’s 25th Congressional District
Mike Garcia (R) won the May 12, 2020, special election for California’s 25th Congressional District after Christy Smith (D) conceded on May 13. He will fill the U.S. House vacancy left by Katie Hill (D), who resigned the seat on November 1, 2019, amid allegations of extramarital relationships with staffers. The remainder of the term…