Category: Federal
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President Trump announces two judicial nominees
On April 29, President Donald Trump (R) announced two nominees to Article III federal judicial positions. Article III federal judges are appointed by the president, confirmed by the Senate, and serve for life. The nominees include: Aileen Mercedes Cannon, nominee to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida James Wesley Hendrix, nominee…
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Federal Register weekly update; Trump administration’s largest weekly page total tops 3,100 pages
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 April 27 to May 1, the Federal Register grew by 3,144 pages for a year-to-date total of 26,318 pages. Over the same…
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OIRA reviewed 43 significant rules in April
The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) reviewed a total of 43 significant regulatory actions issued by federal agencies in April 2020. The agency approved eight rules without changes and approved the intent of 31 rules while recommending changes to their content. Agencies withdrew two rules from the review process. One rule…
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New definition of “waters of the United States” reins in federal control of water pollution
On April 21, the Trump administration implemented its new definition of waters that fall within the scope of those regulated under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The new waters of the United States (WOTUS) definition narrows federal jurisdiction over intrastate waters as well as groundwater, roadside ditches, converted cropland, stormwater controls, and waste treatment systems.…
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U.S. Supreme Court to hear cases via teleconference
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in five cases on May 4, 5, and 6. The court announced new procedures for conducting oral arguments via conference call. The cases had been previously postponed in March and April. The Court will use a teleconferencing system to hear oral arguments. Several new procedures were announced, including…
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Extended candidate filing period for congressional races to end in Michigan
The statewide filing deadline to run for congressional offices in Michigan is on May 8, 2020. The filing period was originally set to end on April 21, but the deadline was extended by court order in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. To qualify for the extended May 8 deadline, congressional candidates must have filed…
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Ohio holds Congressional primaries
Ohio held primaries for each of its 16 U.S. House seats on April 28, 2020. The general election will be held on November 3. The following results are based on the Ohio Secretary of State’s unofficial election results report at 3 p.m. EDT on April 30. The Secretary of State’s office reported that there were…
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SCOTUS issues opinions in cases concerning ACA, copyright, and NYC’s former ban on transporting firearms
On April 27, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued rulings in three cases argued during its October Term 2019-2020. The court has issued 29 decisions this term. Maine Community Health Options v. United States concerned the “Risk Corridors” program of Section 1342 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The case originated from…
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Incumbent Beatty defeats Harper in OH-03
Incumbent Joyce Beatty defeated Morgan Harper in the Democratic primary for Ohio’s 3rd Congressional District Tuesday. This was Beatty’s first contested primary since 2012, when she was first elected to the House. As of Wednesday morning, Beatty had received 68% of the vote to Harper’s 32%. Beatty emphasized her experience in Congress, saying her record…
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Mfume (D) defeats Klacik (R) in special general election for Maryland’s 7th Congressional District
Kweisi Mfume (D) defeated Kimberly Klacik (R) in the special general election for Mayland’s 7th Congressional District. He will fill the vacancy left by Elijah Cummings (D), who died in October 2019. As of Wednesday morning, Mfume led with 72.5% of the vote to Klacik’s 26.5%. Mfume cannot be sworn into office until after results…