By Jacob Imber On the morning of Saturday, October 27th, a gunman opened fire during a service at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA. Eleven people were killed and six were injured, including police officers and congregation members. Officials identified the suspected shooter as forty-six-year-old Robert D. Bowers and linked him to severalContinue reading “Open Fire and a Pig’s Head: The International Spread of Antisemitism and Islamophobia”
Category Archives: Articles
Qatari Oil: A Microcosm of the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict
By Jacob Imber Last week, Israeli officials confirmed a groundbreaking deal to funnel Qatari oil into the Gaza Strip for a six month trial period. This arrangement is intended to improve the quality of life for Arab refugees living in Gaza who rarely have access to consistent electricity. In the past, these types of agreementsContinue reading “Qatari Oil: A Microcosm of the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict”
House Ways and Means Committee Takes on Bipartisan IRS Reform
On Friday, April 13, the House Ways and Means Committee reported favorably on a package of bills intended to reform and modernize the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Sponsored by two Democrats and three Republicans, the set of bills is expected to pass the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. Several of the bills are designedContinue reading “House Ways and Means Committee Takes on Bipartisan IRS Reform”
Ryan Announces Retirement, Spurs Leadership Contest
By Jack Brownfield Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) announced this Wednesday that he will not run for reelection in November, sparking a competition among Republicans for the House leadership and, depending on how the midterm elections play out, the role of Speaker. Ryan said he believes that he has “done [his] part…to setContinue reading “Ryan Announces Retirement, Spurs Leadership Contest”
Omnibus Spending Bill
by Lindsay Tausch On Thursday, March 22, the House of Representatives passed a $1.3 trillion bipartisan spending bill that will fund the federal government until the end of fiscal year 2018, which runs from October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. The massive “omnibus” package combines several appropriations bills, which Congress would ordinarily pass individuallyContinue reading “Omnibus Spending Bill”
Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Bill to Reduce Online Sex-Trafficking
On March 21, 2018, the Senate passed HR. 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 (FOSTA) by a vote of 97-2, following a vote in the House of Representatives of 388-25. The bill was sponsored by Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) and Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), and it amended SectionContinue reading “Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Bill to Reduce Online Sex-Trafficking”
Bipartisanship Leads to Legal Marijuana in the Green Mountain State
On January 22, Vermont became the first state to legalize marijuana through its state legislature. H. 511 was signed into law by conservative governor Phil Scott (R) after being passed by the Green Mountain State’s Democratic-controlled legislature. The law legalizes possession of one ounce of marijuana and two mature plants for individuals over the ageContinue reading “Bipartisanship Leads to Legal Marijuana in the Green Mountain State”
Senate Passes Banking Reform Bill with Bipartisan Support
On March 14th, the US Senate passed the “Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act” by a vote of 67 for and 31 against to reform the Dodd-Frank banking bill of 2010. Twelve Democrats and one independent joined the Republican majority to pass the bill. Sponsored by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID),Continue reading “Senate Passes Banking Reform Bill with Bipartisan Support”
Trump to Propose New Drug Plan
by Jack Brownfield President Trump is set to propose a new plan to tackle the country’s growing opioid abuse problem, a focus of his 2016 campaign. The proposal contains a range of new policies designed to attack the problem from both the public health and law enforcement angles. That is, Trump hopes to both increaseContinue reading “Trump to Propose New Drug Plan”
The Bipartisan Future of Space Exploration
by Lindsay Tausch Four months away from the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing, the United States has reason for renewed hope in the future of human space exploration. The commercial space sector is thriving; in early February, SpaceX launched Falcon Heavy, a rocket designed with an eye toward founder Elon Musk’s long-term goalContinue reading “The Bipartisan Future of Space Exploration”