Elizabeth Miller

Blue Collars and Billionaires: Why the Midwest Loves Rich Politicians

Bleach, Hydroxychloroquine, and Ivermectin: Self Medication to Avoid COVID-19

Banking on the Environment: the relationship between environmental policy and the banking industry

I Plead the Second: Gun Rights Legislation in the US

Since the ratification of the Constitution in 1788, the rights codified in the Bill of Rights have been fiercely protected by the American people. However, interpretations of those rights often differ as people, society, and governmental structure changes. One of the most fraught amendments is the Second Amendment, which preserves the right to bear arms. While the debate over gun rights and restriction is not likely to be resolved in the near future, ongoing efforts to protect the lives of American citizens and limit gun violence may change the way our rights are protected.

Criminal, Medical, or Recreational? Drug Legalization in the United States

The debate over drug legalization has been a contentious issue since the 1970s. With more states taking progressive stances and legalizing marijuana and other drugs for medical and recreational purposes in the past several years, this issue has grown rapidly. Many people would like the United States federal government to take action to legalize marijuana broadly, and begin decriminalizing other narcotics. Most proposed federal policy right now focuses on marijuana legalization, through acts like the MORE act, the CAO act and the HOPE act. All of this policy is highly controversial. However, with legislation from both parties moving toward legalization, many advocates for drug reform are hopeful for progress in the near future.

Make Housing Affordable Again

Housing has always been a central social issue. This is even more true in the ongoing economic uncertainty after the pandemic. However, housing prices have only continued to increase over the last decade, meaning that fewer Americans are able to own a home. Making housing affordable is a necessity, and the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (AHCIA) would provide necessary support and safety nets for those most impacted by rising housing prices and protect vulnerable members of our communities.

Voting Rights: Popularity Contests and Civil Liberties

Voting rights have been an important part of U.S. legislation ever since the American Revolution. Over the years they have been changed, through state or national legislation or through constitutional amendments. Recently, these voting rights have become a prevalent issue as states try to restrict who can vote in an effort to limit voter fraud. In response to these restrictive laws, national representatives have worked to pass policy expanding and protecting the right to vote. These bills—the John Lewis Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4) and the Freedom to Vote Act (H.R. 1)—are both hotly contested, especially by Republicans in the Senate. However, supporters argue that passing at least one of these bills is the only way to truly protect democracy.

Right to Privacy vs. Right to Life: the Battle Continues

Since the founding of America, legislative battles over rights have existed. From voting rights, to the rights of African American citizens, to child labor laws. The most recent arena of this debate is over a woman’s right to an abortion. Over the past few years, states have been passing increasingly restrictive policies. Much of this policy has been blocked by courts in the past, but with the Supreme Court’s current conservative leaning, it is anticipated that state legislatures will increase policy efforts.

Right to Privacy vs. Right to Life: the Fight over Abortion Laws

Since Roe v. Wade in 1973, abortion has remained a contentious topic for citizens and policymakers alike. Texas and Mississippi have both recently passed laws placing limits on the rights of women to obtain an abortion. The constitutionality of both bills has been called into question, especially after the Supreme Court agreed to rule on the Mississippi law a few months ago, and the Texas law more recently. These Supreme Court cases have the potential to overturn Roe v. Wade and trigger dozens of highly restrictive “tigger” laws all across the country. Despite being the less restrictive of the two laws, it is also possible for the Supreme Court to overturn Mississippi’s abortion law while not impacting Texas’. Because of the personal impact these laws have for so many people, it is important to understand similarities and differences between the bills.

Raising Them Right: Public Early Education in America

Ever since Johnson’s presidency, early childhood education has been a relevant policy issue in the U.S. government. Despite the ongoing conversation, no policy option has achieved the support necessary to be implemented. As the cost of private childcare and early education continues to rise, the need for public funding grows. The Biden administration is attempting to solve the problem through a $400bn provision in the Build Back Better bill, but has faced significant resistance from both other legislators and states themselves.

Line 5: Sovereignty Under Pressure

Line 5 is a part of a network of pipelines built around the Great Lakes, carrying fossil fuel across Wisconsin and Michigan into Canada. However, it has been highly contentious due to its questionable condition, lack of transparency, and effects on Indigenous lands, as well as potential leaks. Policymakers have analyzed and supported alternative pipeline routes, especially those not passing over open bodies of water like the Great Lakes to prevent disastrous spills.

Huddled Masses Yearning to Breathe Free: Mass Incarceration in the United States

Mass incarceration has been a part of the United States for decades. However, incarceration increased under President Lyndon Johnson in 1968, and has not significantly decreased since then. This requires the government to spend hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to house inmates and creates unsafe conditions in prisons. Various elected officials and advocacy groups have proposed alternatives to mass incarceration, but none of these options have been successfully adopted yet.

Going Nowhere Fast? Public Transportation in the US

Public transport doesn’t grab many headlines, but it is a significant social policy issue. In many places it is underprovided relative to the actual level of demand, which accounts for environmental issues and community needs. Existing public transport often ends up reflecting or reinforcing socio-economic inequalities due to the way it is funded. Privatization is unlikely to be a good solution here, as in this industry markets tend not to yield the desirable outcomes. Governments, both local and federal, could help address the demand for cheap, clean, and high-quality public transport, through a mixture of direct interventions and subsidies or tax incentives.

Homecoming Mishaps: Immigration Reconciliation Parliamentary Politics

Many activists are calling for action on immigration reform, especially amidst Biden’s mixed signals and seeming return to the Trump-era “stay in Mexico” policy. More specifically, however, policymakers are advocating for the creation of new programs under DACA and the expansion of TPS. The recently proposed 1.7 trillion dollar reconciliation bill has driven lots of infighting over several parts, one of which includes the proposals related to immigration reform. Some Democrats and activists think this is the best chance for immigration reform in decades, since it is already part of the bill. However, there still remains substantial opposition to the infrastructure legislation for several other reasons, which may make its passage difficult. The Parliamentarian of the Senate, Elizabeth MacDonough, ruled against the legislation in the Senate about a month ago. Since then, some Democrats have proposed using the reconciliation method to make the reform more palatable. Still others have suggested using parole as a method. Regardless of method, debates over immigration reform are at the forefront of politics.

Her story: Roe v. Wade and the Future of Privacy Rights

In the 50 years since the landmark ruling of Roe v Wade, abortion has been a hotly contested issue.

A Big Step Backwards

The gay rights movement in the US has been gaining traction for the past several decades. From the overturn of the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996 to allowing trans athletes to compete in athletics, major strides have been made. However, these steps forward do not guarantee the protection of gay rights, as is demonstrated in the anit-queer legislation widely called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. This bill has the potential to do significant harm to students, and may not be the most effective way to protect children from damaging content.