US Supreme Court Rulings and Legislation

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, was passed in 2010. It expanded Medicaid and Medicare eligibility, required insurers to accept everyone without charging based on pre-existing conditions, and imposed an individual mandate for health insurance. There was significant opposition from Republicans, but Obama was able to pass it due to Democratic control of Congress.

In the 2010 midterm elections, Republicans gained control of the House of Representatives and increased their presence in the Senate. This loss of congressional control made it harder for Obama to pass legislation and led to budget disagreements, including a government shutdown in 2013 and a near-shutdown in 2015.

The Citizens United v. FEC (2010) Supreme Court ruling declared that corporations, unions, and other organizations have a First Amendment right to spend unlimited funds on federal elections. This led to an increase in political action committees (PACs), super-PACs, and 'dark money' groups, which are not required to disclose their donors.

The Occupy Movement, which started in New York City in 2011, was a left-wing populist movement that protested the concentration of wealth in the hands of the top 1%. Protesters referred to themselves as the "99%" and demanded economic justice and social change.

The Keystone XL pipeline project was a proposed oil pipeline that was ultimately abandoned after facing numerous legal challenges and political opposition. It was initially approved by the Trump administration in 2017, but the permit was revoked by President Biden on his first day in office in 2021.

In the 2016 Democratic primaries, Bernie Sanders, a senator from Vermont, gained significant support, particularly among young voters, by criticizing the influence of wealthy elites and corporations on the Democratic Party. He campaigned on a platform of progressive policies and rejected contributions from corporate donors.

President Trump's attempts to construct a wall along the US-Mexico border faced considerable resistance and ultimately failed to achieve his desired outcome. Despite using executive orders and declaring a national emergency, he was unable to secure the full funding he sought.

President Trump's use of the Commander-in-Chief powers to attempt to achieve a legislative goal, specifically the wall construction, was met with significant criticism. Critics argued that he was abusing democratic processes by bypassing Congress and relying on executive orders.

A 1944 Supreme Court case that upheld the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, arguing that it was necessary for national security. This decision highlights the complex interplay between civil liberties and national security in times of war.

This 1954 Supreme Court ruling declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, violating the 14th Amendment. It marked a significant victory for the Civil Rights Movement, but faced considerable resistance in the South.

The Arkansas Governor resisted integration, deploying the Arkansas National Guard to stop black students from entering a high school in Little Rock. President Eisenhower asserted federal control over the National Guard and sent in the US Army to ensure the black students could attend class.

The War Powers Act, passed in 1973, aimed to limit the President's power to commit US troops to military action without congressional approval. It requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and limits the deployment without congressional authorization to 60 days.

President Nixon vetoed the Act, arguing it unconstitutionally restricted his presidential powers. Congress overrode the veto, demonstrating their power to check Presidential power.

A 1974 law that regulates federal campaign spending and fundraising. It sets limits on contributions and expenditures, aims for transparency by requiring disclosure of campaign finances, & created Political Action Committees (PACs) to enhance political advocacy.

The 1974 law imposed legal limits on campaign contributions (individuals: $2700, groups: $5000) and expenditures for presidential candidates.

FECA aimed to increase transparency in federal elections, requiring candidates to disclose their campaign contributions and spending. This move helps ensure accountability and public understanding of campaign financing.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 was a stimulus package signed by President Obama to combat the economic recession. Its key aims were job creation, providing temporary relief to those affected by the downturn, and investing in infrastructure, education, health, and renewable energy. The estimated cost of the ARRA at the time of its passage was $787 billion.

The Tea Party Movement, a fiscally conservative movement, arose in 2009 in opposition to the government's response to the economic crisis, including the bailouts and stimulus packages. This movement, characterized by its right-wing populist stance, criticized both political parties for alleged government overreach, high taxes, and a rapidly rising national debt. The Tea Party Movement argued that 'average Americans' had already borne enough of the tax burden.

President Obama's signature legislative achievement, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, was passed in 2010. It aimed to expand health insurance coverage to millions of Americans by creating marketplaces for health insurance and providing subsidies for low-income individuals. The ACA faced significant opposition from Republicans, who viewed it as government overreach.

President Obama's approval ratings suffered a significant drop during the economic recession of 2008. These low ratings (reaching as low as 25%) were largely attributed to his perceived role in the financial deregulation that contributed to the crisis. His low approval ratings also impacted the Republican Party as a whole, potentially contributing to the election of Barack Obama in 2008.

Even though President Bush's approval ratings were very low, this didn't significantly hinder his presidency as he was in his second term. However, these low ratings, influenced by the financial crisis, are believed to have had a positive impact on Obama's electoral chances, as they reflected negatively on the Republican Party.

President Obama's signature legislative achievement, the Affordable Care Act, encountered significant challenges due to the economic recession. Given the urgent need to address the economic crisis, his initial focus shifted to passing legislation to stabilize the economy and help citizens recover from the recession. As a result, the rollout of the ACA was delayed, and by the time it was passed, the political landscape had changed, weakening Obama's mandate. This was evident in the Democrats' loss of seats in the 2010 midterm elections.

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, proposed in 1971, that would have guaranteed equal rights regardless of sex. It aimed to end legal discrimination against women, establishing equal rights for men and women in areas such as divorce, employment, and military service.

Supporters of the ERA argued that it would abolish legal distinctions between men and women, leading to greater equality in areas like divorce, employment, and other legal matters.

Opponents of the ERA argued that it would threaten certain protections for women and might lead to women being drafted into the military.

Although the ERA passed both the House and Senate with strong support in 1971 and 1972 respectively, it failed to be ratified by the required 38 states within the deadline of 1982. However, it was later ratified by 3 more states in 2020 despite the deadline.

The House Freedom Caucus is a group of conservative Republicans within the U.S. House of Representatives. They advocate for limited government, fiscal responsibility, and a strong national defense.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus is a group of left-leaning Democrats within the U.S. House of Representatives who support policies like universal healthcare, a secure living wage, and criminal justice reform.

The House Freedom Caucus is known for its resistance to spending and government intervention, often opposing measures that they see as exceeding the federal government's role.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus advocates for more progressive policies and seeks to address issues like economic inequality and social justice.

The federal government's stance on marijuana at the state level, allowing states to legalize it but maintaining its illegality at the federal level. This creates a conflict, leading to unusual situations like the 'Green Lady Dispensary' on an island in Massachusetts, which cannot import marijuana due to federal water ownership and must grow it locally.

A Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a federal law that defined marriage as between one man and one woman. The court declared DOMA unconstitutional, upholding the right of same-sex couples to marriage and protecting their constitutional rights under the Due Process Clause.

A Supreme Court ruling that recognized the right of same-sex couples to marry nationally, extending the fundamental right to marry to all couples under the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the 14th Amendment.

A Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the Federal Election Commission's (FEC) limits on individual campaign contributions, effectively removing restrictions on how much individuals can donate to political campaigns. This ruling significantly impacted campaign finance laws, empowering individual donors and potentially leading to increased influence in elections.

An example of the President acting as a check on Congress, rejecting a bill that aimed to expand the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would have transported oil from Canada to the United States. Obama vetoed the bill due to environmental concerns and a lack of adequate oil spill response plans, highlighting the power of the President to impede legislation.

The President's ability to veto legislation passed by Congress. Although this is a significant power, it may have limited long-term impact if Congress can gather enough support to overturn the veto, a process requiring two-thirds majority in both houses.