Emily Solley On December 27, 2020, President Donald J. Trump signed a $900 billion pandemic relief bill into law.[1] The bill resulted from eight months of tense negotiations, earlier failures at passage, and, most recently, an intense debate over the bill’s proposed $600 direct payment to Americans.[2] President Trump called the payments a “disgrace” and […]

Makenzie Taylor Each year, 66,000 H-2B visa guest workers enter the United States to perform nonagricultural temporary and seasonal jobs[1] in industries such as forestry, landscaping, hospitality, seafood processing, and construction.[2] The workers typically perform “relatively low-skilled” jobs and often work in “geographic areas where the number of available U.S. workers is limited.”[3] They comprise […]

Kristin J. Rempe The Active Cyber Defense Certainty Act—colloquially known as the “Hack Back” bill— was first introduced in 2017[1] and reintroduced in 2019.[2]  The bipartisan bill seeks to amend the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (“CFAA”).[3]  Under the CFAA, it is illegal to knowingly or intentionally access another computer without authorization or to exceed […]

Blake Davis The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the way Americans engage in their weekly religious practices.[1]  As with every other area of American life, religious organizations have become accustomed to providing socially distanced services and complying with both federal and state guidelines for safe worship experiences.[2]  As churches, synagogues, and mosques have transitioned to servicing […]

On November 25, the United States Supreme Court issued a five to four opinion enjoining New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, from implementing a COVID-19 restriction which would limit religious services to gatherings of no more than ten people.[1]  The deciding vote?  Newly appointed Justice Amy Coney Barrett.[2]  Joining Justice Barrett in the unsigned opinion were […]

Shannon Porterfield Due to the recent outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 (“COVID-19”), colleges and universities across the United States (“U.S.”) are requiring students to get vaccinated against the flu and submit documentation of such immunization to return to campus for the coming spring semester.[1] As the rates of flu immunizations among Americans are typically low without mandates, […]

Tim Maguire Water is imported, exported, bought and sold, and transported intrastate, interstate, and internationally.[1]  It has powered the transportation industry and empowered manufacturing. Disagreements over its use and misuse have led to armed conflicts and even war.[2]  With respect to its vitalness, it is equally as precious to other natural resources such as oil, […]

Rebecca Paulus “The management of Georgia elections has become an embarrassment for our state. Georgians are outraged, and rightly so.”[1] This scathing condemnation originates from a joint statement issued by Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, demanding that Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger resign because he “has failed to deliver honest and transparent elections.”[2] […]

By Alexander F. Magee The internet has long been championed as a marketplace of ideas that fosters unprecedented access to different viewpoints and mass amounts of information and media. At least in the eyes of some, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (“CDA”)[1] is largely responsible for the internet gaining that reputation, and the […]

By Adrian E. Simioni The continued closure of international borders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has had devasting economic effects on trade, tourism, and service industries across the globe.[1] However, one overlooked, entirely human effect has been the profound impact of border closures on unmarried couples and families residing in different countries. Their designation […]

By Itané O. Coleman  On November 21, 2006, Kathryn Johnston was ninety-two. Police entered her home. They shot her six times. Killing her.[1] On May 16, 2010, Aiyana Jones was seven. Police entered her grandmother’s home. They shot the child while sleeping. Killing her.[2] Though Black men are often the face of police violence for […]

By Kelsey E. Rector South African runner Caster Semenya is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and has dominated track events like the 800 meter and other mid-distance races over the last decade.[1] All her life, Semenya has been questioned about her sex, especially with respect to competing as an elite female track athlete.[2] Her performance […]