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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Trump on Latest School Shooting: ‘Get over it’

Steady • 27850 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. Former President Donald Trump's response to the latest school shooting was to 'get over it', sparking controversy.
  2. The issue of school shootings is a significant concern, with an increase in incidents and the need for stronger gun laws.
  3. Individuals can take action by advocating for stronger gun laws, engaging with elected officials, and participating in peaceful protests.

Australia's Frightening New "Hate Speech" Laws Are Clearly Aimed At Pro-Palestine Groups

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1839 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Legislation
  1. Australia’s new hate speech laws are written so vaguely that pro‑Palestine groups who criticise Israel could be labelled “hate groups” and banned, with security agencies involved and penalties of up to 15 years for associating with them.
  2. The passed bill is a narrowed version of an earlier draft that would have targeted individuals, but powerful pro‑Israel groups are already pushing to bring back harsher vilification laws that would criminalise individual criticism.
  3. Civil‑liberties advocates warn the laws lower the threshold for censoring political speech, lack clear procedural safeguards, and risk silencing normal dissent and protest activity.

Elon's gonzo pay

Robert Reich • 21679 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. A judge ruled Elon Musk's compensation package was excessive.
  2. Delaware court established the concept of excessive compensation.
  3. Democrats proposed taxing corporations based on CEO-worker pay ratio.

Donald Trump’s State of Exhaustion

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 324 implied HN points • 25 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. The State of the Union no longer moves the public. It still serves as a clear window into what the president and his team are thinking.
  2. The recent speech revealed an exhaustion of ambition and no clear agenda for the rest of the term. It failed to clarify priorities or lay out a concrete plan.
  3. The administration lacks an organized policy process and is not meeting normal budget deadlines. It operates largely as an extension of the president's personal whims rather than a conventional governing team.
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Judicial Notice (10.06.24): Changing Of The Guard

Original Jurisdiction • 339 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. Gurbir Grewal, the former director of the SEC's Enforcement Division, had a successful tenure, overseeing many enforcement actions that brought back billions to investors. He is now joining Milbank law firm.
  2. Dorothy Roberts from Penn Law received a MacArthur Fellowship, also known as a 'genius grant,' for her work on racial issues in social services. This grant will provide her with $800,000 over five years.
  3. Former Brooklyn DA Eugene Gold, known for prosecuting the 'Son of Sam' killer, passed away at age 100. His work in the criminal justice system left a lasting impact.

Virginia shows how it's done

Of Boys and Men • 123 implied HN points • 12 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. Virginia has created a first‑of‑its‑kind, bipartisan Boys and Men Advisory Commission that passed the legislature with overwhelming support.
  2. The 18‑member commission will sit in the legislature, focus on education, health, economic opportunity, family life, and social media, has a small annual budget, and a three‑year sunset to prove its value.
  3. The effort is explicitly framed as non‑partisan and meant to complement, not compete with, support for women and girls, offering a potential model for other states.

The GOP Walkout That Ended Badly

The Status Kuo • 18632 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. Oregon GOP Senators boycotted the state senate to prevent a quorum, violating a voter-approved measure banning officials with 10 or more absences from reelection.
  2. Voters passed Measure 113 to disqualify legislators with unexcused absences, leading to a Supreme Court ruling against the GOP Senators.
  3. The GOP Senators' walkout impacted their ability to run for office again, causing disruptions in the state senate and a potential shift in power dynamics.

Finding the devil in legislative details

Disaffected Newsletter • 1518 implied HN points • 09 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. Legislative language can be complicated and confusing, making it hard for everyday people to understand what laws really mean. It's important to break down legal terms into simple language so everyone can grasp their implications.
  2. Some laws might have hidden meanings that could cause major issues, like how definitions in legislation can change the way we understand terms like 'sexual orientation.' This can lead to unintended consequences that affect society.
  3. Activists sometimes downplay the real effects of laws, which can be alarming. It's crucial to stay informed and critically assess what legislation truly entails to protect the rights and safety of all individuals.

“Don’t put ‘gender’ into law - it’s a terrible idea”, the Women’s Rights Party & Mana Wāhine Kōrero tell NZ’s Law Commission.

A B’Old Woman • 1119 implied HN points • 17 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. Adding 'gender' to the law could harm women's rights. Many believe it could create confusion about sex-based rights.
  2. The process to submit opinions on this issue isn't fair. Not everyone has equal access to technology or the ability to express their views clearly.
  3. There's a call for more attention to the negative impacts of letting men identify as women in women's spaces, and a need for women's voices to be heard.

Dysfunction Junction

The Status Kuo • 15979 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. GOP House shows dysfunction in handling impeachment efforts and border bill disagreements.
  2. House GOP leaders are facing challenges due to internal party conflicts and reluctance to take critical votes.
  3. Potential solutions include budget brinksmanship and electoral defeat of the GOP in November.

Barack Obama Now Squarely in Russiagate Crosshairs

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 14470 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. New documents suggest that Barack Obama played a central role in alleged political sabotage during the Trump election in 2016. This could change how people remember his presidency.
  2. The investigation into the Trump-Russia narrative is shifting focus, with more evidence being pursued that may include actions taken during Biden's time in office.
  3. Tulsi Gabbard's team is gathering information to hold higher officials accountable for their actions, and more releases of related documents are expected soon.

Richard is going to lose the bracket

Of Boys and Men • 35 implied HN points • 19 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. Prediction-market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket are effectively offering sports betting while operating under federal rules, which lets them sidestep many state gambling protections and serve users as young as 18.
  2. Aggressive app design and campus marketing plus the platforms' financial incentives risk real harms—research links easier online betting to higher bankruptcy, more child-maltreatment reports, and rising suicide risk, with young men hit hardest.
  3. Policymakers can curb these risks with common-sense guardrails—restrict advertising, add friction and deposit limits, raise the minimum age to 21, and regulate sports contracts like traditional gambling—and some lawmakers have already begun proposing such rules.

The MAGA Migrant Delusion

The Status Kuo • 13148 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. Extremist Republicans are rejecting the border bill they asked for and blame Biden for it.
  2. The bill includes provisions requested by GOP for border security and migration reform.
  3. Republicans are afraid of Trump and are not interested in solving the immigration crisis.

The Week Ahead (02.04.03)

The Status Kuo • 12873 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. Heavy military strikes in the Middle East led by the U.S. and U.K.
  2. Speaker Johnson tries to pass stand-alone bill for aid to Israel, splitting Democrats.
  3. Joe Biden defies polls in South Carolina primary, emphasizing his appeal among African American voters.

Steelmanning Reauthorization: Way More Than You Wanted to Know I

Exasperated Infrastructures • 9 implied HN points • 19 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. Federal transportation funding evolved from focusing almost entirely on highways to supporting transit and other modes, but highways still get the lion's share and STURAA kept a highway emphasis.
  2. Authority over projects shifted upward from local builders to state DOTs, making states the main gatekeepers for federal money and sometimes sidelining regional or local needs.
  3. The system grew much more complex and politically driven: the Highway Trust Fund, many discretionary programs, earmarks, and a stagnant gas tax created maintenance shortfalls and shaped how funds are allocated.

Links For July 2025

Astral Codex Ten • 13627 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. AI trained for creative writing may produce repetitive content because it often plays it safe. This shows us the difference between what is considered good writing and good taste.
  2. A unique political event in 1952 Texas saw a candidate run on both major party tickets and win. It was a strategy to attract voters from different sides.
  3. Chances are, we're not burning as many calories during activities like chess as popular belief suggests. The claims of extreme calorie burn by players may be exaggerated.

Bureaucracy Isn't Measured In Bureaucrats

Astral Codex Ten • 32830 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. Bureaucracy isn't just about the number of workers; even fewer bureaucrats might not speed up processes if the rules remain the same. Cutting the number of workers could actually slow down operations instead of helping.
  2. Many bureaucratic processes take a long time because of legal needs and mandates set by Congress. Even if you fire some bureaucrats, the steps required to approve things won't change, resulting in delays.
  3. Instead of reducing the number of bureaucrats, the focus should be on cutting unnecessary rules or red tape to make things run faster. Some models have shown success in decreasing regulations by reevaluating what's necessary.

Expect a Firehose of Obamacare Misinformation From Bad Actors, Insurance Industry Operatives

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 679 implied HN points • 19 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. There will be a lot of misinformation about Obamacare as the election approaches, particularly from bad actors and the insurance industry. It's important to stay informed about the truth.
  2. Obamacare has its supporters and critics, with Democrats generally praising it and Republicans trying to repeal it. Understanding both sides can help in making informed opinions.
  3. Many important protections for consumers are tied to Obamacare, like ensuring insurers cover everyone regardless of health. Recognizing these benefits is crucial in the debate over the law.

Landscape 6 – New Year, New Legislative Sessions and Launching the CLE Board

Progress and Poverty • 962 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. Land value tax legislation is gaining momentum nationwide, with new bills and carryover proposals active in states like Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Minnesota, Washington, Michigan, and Ohio.
  2. A new Center for Land Economics board has been launched with prominent housing, parking, and policy leaders, signaling more organized and mainstream support for land value tax advocacy.
  3. Media, research, and political figures are increasingly discussing and endorsing land value tax, bringing more attention through reports and editorials even as some local pushback and policy rollbacks occur.

Is Bipartisanship Dead?

The Status Kuo • 10456 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. Bills that had bipartisan support are failing due to election year politics.
  2. GOP members are aiming to kill a rare tax bill that benefits families and businesses.
  3. Republicans are prioritizing political goals over passing solutions, potentially making bipartisanship unachievable.

Overthinking Transportation Funding Reform & Policy: Steelmanning Reauthorization III

Exasperated Infrastructures • 28 implied HN points • 14 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. Federal reauthorization is uncertain and could lead to three outcomes: funding could expire, Congress could pass a huge bloated multi-year bill full of pork that fixes little, or lawmakers could keep extending current funding with short-term continuing resolutions.
  2. Evaluate bills through five lenses—Power, Mode, Complexity, Flexibility, and Geography—to see who gains, what modes are prioritized, how complicated spending is, how flexible funding is, and where money goes.
  3. Federal dollars and politics tend to favor highways and big projects while local needs and things like interstate rail get sidelined, and the whole policy process is slow, messy, and politically driven.

Congress Is About to Break the Internet

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2149 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. Lawmakers are pushing sweeping “online safety” bills that would strip away online anonymity and require broad surveillance, which would enable massive censorship.
  2. Those laws and proposed Section 230 changes would silence LGBTQ and abortion information, weaken independent journalism, and actually consolidate power and data collection for big tech platforms.
  3. People are being urged to fight back now by contacting representatives and using activist resources and groups (like the EFF and Fight for the Future) to oppose KOSA, the SCREEN Act, the App Store Accountability Act, digital ID/age verification rules, and Section 230 reform.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce: From Fighting Obamacare to Defending Big Pharma

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 559 implied HN points • 20 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has a history of opposing health care reforms like Obamacare, fighting to protect the insurance industry's profits. Their actions have often prioritized big business over the needs of everyday people.
  2. Recently, the Chamber has also opposed Medicare's efforts to negotiate lower drug prices. They claim it will harm the pharmaceutical industry, but many seniors could benefit from cheaper medications.
  3. Overall, the Chamber does not represent small businesses or local interests as much as it represents large corporations. Their lobbying efforts highlight how some businesses prioritize profit over the well-being of the public.

Classified Leaks Back in Focus in Russiagate Investigation

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 7751 implied HN points • 12 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. Senator Adam Schiff is being investigated for allegedly leaking classified information against former President Trump. A whistleblower has shared that this was discussed in a staff meeting.
  2. These claims have surfaced recently, although investigations have been going on for a long time. The FBI has information about interviews with a staffer who reported these leaks.
  3. The situation is complex, involving various investigations into how classified information was handled. Both the media and Congress have been looking into these leaks for years.

Sunblock

Doomberg • 11128 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. California's energy system is struggling because it has shifted away from reliable sources like nuclear and natural gas in favor of solar power. This change has made it harder to manage the electricity supply effectively.
  2. A major fire at California's large battery storage facility caused serious environmental damage and highlighted the risks of relying too much on green energy solutions without a solid backup plan.
  3. The government's new bill may worsen California's energy crisis by cutting tax credits for green energy projects, which could halt new installations and leave the state without enough power during peak demand times.

Will We Regret the Release of the Epstein Files?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 463 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. The Department of Justice released millions of partially redacted Epstein files — emails, photos, and investigative reports — and those materials are already flooding social media.
  2. Nobody knows which details in the files are true, false, or misleading, but people with even slight or tangential connections to Epstein are already being embarrassed, harassed, or smeared.
  3. There was broad bipartisan support to force disclosure, yet critics warned the mass release would reveal and injure innocent witnesses, alibi providers, and family members, and reputations are now being harmed.

Classified Report on Hillary Clinton, Loretta Lynch, and James Comey Finally Released

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 8415 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. A new report has been released about the FBI's investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails. It reveals some surprising details about how the FBI handled important evidence.
  2. The report mentions that the FBI got thumb drives containing stolen correspondence from government officials, but they didn't fully investigate this serious breach. This raises questions about the FBI's priorities.
  3. There are also claims that Loretta Lynch shared information about the investigation's plans with Clinton's campaign staff. This could have influenced how the investigation was conducted.

One Year of Land Value Tax Advocacy

Progress and Poverty • 2116 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. The Center for Land Economics is pushing for Land Value Tax (LVT) to become a reality today, not in the distant future. They've made significant progress in one year, building partnerships and spreading awareness.
  2. Their efforts include reviving a popular blog on land economics and engaging with elected officials who support LVT. This has helped grow their community and influence discussions on property tax reform.
  3. They’re asking for funding to expand their work, including producing educational materials, conducting research, and attending conferences. This support will help them organize and inspire more advocates for LVT.

"America last."

Today's Edition Newsletter • 8333 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. Senate Republicans blocked funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, prioritizing Trump and Putin's interests over America's.
  2. The GOP is being surreptitiously controlled by Vladimir Putin through Trump, as seen through Tucker Carlson's actions.
  3. Immigration actually contributes a lot to the US economy, as reported by the CBO, despite common misconceptions.

The least we can do

Popular Information • 9139 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation
  1. The Child Tax Credit was expanded in 2021, leading to a significant drop in child poverty.
  2. There are efforts to extend and expand the Child Tax Credit again, but face opposition from corporate lobbyists.
  3. The proposed expansion of the Child Tax Credit is tied to extensions of business tax cuts, which are critiqued for benefiting profitable companies.