Blog 3.5: Trump and Circuit Courts

1. Where do the district court and appellate court fit into the organization of the federal courts?

District court is the trial court within a circuit and appellate courts are the second level courts which oversee all individual districts.

2. What makes the 9th Circuit stand out from the other circuit courts?

It is a liberal outlier court that is the largest federal appellate court. 

3. What historical cause may make this Circuit Court more liberal than others?

Its reputation is derived from its transformation under President Jimmy Carter, who appointed some of the most liberal judges to positions. 

4. Give two examples of very liberal decisions that have come from judges on this court.

Struck down CA's same-sex marriage ban; the Pledge "under God" is an unconstitutional endorsement of religion. 

5. What happens to most appellate court decisions when they reach the Supreme Court?

Most rulings that make it to the Supreme Court are overturned.

6. Which Circuit Courts are overturned more often than the 9th Circuit?
6th and 11th circuits

7. Does the ideology of the court impact how often the Supreme Court overturns their rulings?  How do we know?
The reversal rate doesn't have much to do with ideology.The lowest reversal rate is by a fairly moderate court and second place is a liberal and conservative court.

Blog 3.4: RIP EPA

1. What are the disadvantages for Scott Pruitt of using rule making?

By stalling, Pruitt shifts policy. Delaying decisions and implementation allow industries to be relieved of environmental rules, resulting in negative effects on health.

2. How has the enforcement of environmental regulations changed from the Obama Administration to the Trump Administration?

Environmental law enforcement has declined. By September, the Trump administration launched 30% fewer cases and collected 60% fewer fines than Obama. 

3. What change has Pruitt made to the process for investigating potential violations of environmental regulations?

EPA's enforcement division has to get approval from HQ before investigating potential violations. 

4. How many environmental regulations has Pruitt removed?

19 

5. Why are some people critical of having so many environmental regulations?

Critics say that continuing to make many regulations are reaching diminishing returns, costing people more to comply with them.

6. How have the courts limited Pruitt's plans?

Court's have blocked the EPA/s efforts to suspend rules on methane emissions and denied them more time to research lead paint. 

7. What are state governments doing to try to limit Pruitt's plans?

States are suing EPA for failing to expand ozone regulations and failing to control air pollution. 

8. How is the Senate working to try to limit Pruitt's plans?

The Democratic Senators are planning to grill Pruitt and put together their agenda for the EPA in the event they get control of the chamber in the fall. 

Blog 3.3: Quick Shut Down

1. What action (or lack of action) caused the government shut down?

Congress wasn't able to pass a new government funding law before the old one expired.

2. In a shutdown, which government functions continue? Which ones stop?

Continue: military and law enforcement, social security, air traffic controllers

Stop: "nonessential" federal nonmilitary employees

3. How were Democrats able to force Republicans to address the DACA issue?

Democrat votes are needed to fund the government. 

4. Why were some Democrats eager to end the shut down so quickly?

They worry that keeping the govt shut down on behalf of unauthorized immigrants is a political loser. Also, their extremist actions reflect badly on them and will affect their mid-year elections negatively.

5. In the funding agreement, what changes were made to Children's Health Insurance Program?

Its funding will be safe for the next 6 years. 

6. What promises did Democrats get from the Senate Majority Leader?

He promised to vote on a bill to address their status on DACA.

7. Why was this shutdown seen as a "loss" for Democrats?

Democrats' supporters, especially immigrant activists, are beginning to trust Democrats less. They are more skeptical that Democrats will do the right thing.

8. Why was this shutdown seen as a "win" for President Trump?

He got the government to reopen without giving up anything. 

9.  What % of Democrats blame President Trump for the shut down?

62%

10. What % of Republicans blame Democrats for the shut down?

85%