Civics Quiz

Test your knowledge here.

Is federalism dead?

Robert Nagel argues that political and judicial revolutions have usurped the power of the states and thereby enervated local associational life. Although Kimberly Hendrickson agrees with much of Nagel’s argument about the implosion of federalism, she lauds the emergence of a “moral federalism” through plebiscitary democracy on issues ranging from abortion to euthanasia to affirmative action to medical marijuana to homosexual marriage.

Is federalism dead? If so, should we mourn or celebrate its demise? Is the rise of moral federalism a sign of life for American democracy or a threat to individual rights?

Please read short articles by Nagel and Hendrickson. Click on link below for Hendrickson article. You may pick up copy of Nagel article in Govt Dept. office.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0377/is_2002_Summer/ai_87774104/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1

DC v Heller

NY Times article includes links to transcript and audio recording of oral argument.

Natural Born Candidates

Is John McCain constitutionally eligible to become president?

The Founders Constitution

New required course at George Mason University Law School.

District of Columbia v. Heller

Merit and amicus briefs for interesting case to be heard in March.

Eminent domain and Columbia University

Another eminent domain case

Homeowners lose case in federal appeals court over the use of eminent domain to obtain land for Brooklyn Yards development, which will include new arena for the NBA Nets.

Eminent Domain after Kelo

Kelo v New London

Does restricting eminent domain hurt economic growth?

WSJ on Earmark Reform

WSJ on Solicitor General's Brief on Second Amendment Case

Obama and the Founders

More on pocket veto

More on earmarking

More on earmarking

Court hears voter id case

Is That a Veto in Your Pocket?

There's an interesting new constitutional controversy over the pocket veto. When Congress passes a bill, they send it to the President, who has ten days to sign or veto the bill. If he vetoes the bill, it is sent back to Congress which can then vote to override with a two-thirds majority. If he neither signs nor vetoes the bill, and Congress is in session, the bill becomes law. If Congress is not in session and the President neither signs nor vetoes the bill, that's a pocket veto and it can't be overridden by Congress. In that case, the Congress must start again and repass new legislation.

The recent Defense authorization bill passed both chambers by veto-proof majorities. In order to prevent a pocket veto, Senate Majority leader Harry Reid kept the Senate in pro forma session during the holidays. President Bush claims that he pocket vetoed the bill since the House wasn't in session.

Louis Fisher, a scholar at the Congressional Research Service and a leading expert on separation of powers issues, seems to think that the Bush administration's argument doesn't hold much water.

527's in '08