There has been considerable debate around the American Jobs Plan, announced by the White House two weeks ago, with Republicans and Democrats at odds once again. We examine the plan, the ensuing response, and its implications here. WHAT IS IN THE PLAN? The American Jobs Plan seeks to: Modernize 20,000…
Issues
The House passed the Equality Act in February by a vote of 224-206. The Equality Act, which amends the 1964 Civil Rights Act to provide protections for LGBTQ individuals, seeks to ban discrimination in various areas — including the workplace, housing, education, and in federally funded programs — and would expand the…
The minimum wage features heavily in the news these days, thanks to its momentary inclusion in the coronavirus relief package and its subsequent removal due to the rules governing reconciliation. The proposed hike to $15 has both its proponents and its detractors, as well as those who are in favor…
There are two health care systems in the United States: one for white America and one for Black America. To address this reality, we must devise comprehensive, long-term solutions, but first, let’s explore what we mean when we say that there are two different systems. The American Bar Association explains:…
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 secured the right to vote for racial and language minorities and prohibited discrimination in voting. Prior to the passage of this law, the Constitution granted each individual state broad autonomy in determining the voter qualifications that it wanted to set for its elections. From…
The United States population is equivalent to 4.25 percent of the world’s population, and yet the United States jails roughly 20 percent of the world’s prisoners. Why? Why does the “land of the free” — a country whose Constitution places a premium on liberty — boast the highest incarceration rate…
To further advance the goals of Black History Month, we will be using the month of February to explore the Black experience in America, starting with a series of explainers on issues affecting the Black community and culminating in a feature story at the end of the month. So without…
Joe Biden recommitted the United States to the Paris climate accord on Wednesday in one of his first official moves as president. The order attracted the praise of world leaders and climate hawks alike but drew criticism from some Republicans in Congress. Sen. Marsha Blackburn said that the decision would…