Advancing Democracy

The start of the new year marks the return of state legislative sessions, and we are watching for legislation that falls within our advocacy areas, especially in states where we have developed state advocacy teams.

The secretaries of Transportation, Energy, and Education are part of the presidential Cabinet and are in the presidential line of succession.

The Federal Reserve, informally known as the Fed, is the central bank of the U.S. government and aims to be a transparent, nonpartisan, and accountable federal agency. Its purpose is to provide a secure money system for the nation and to support the economy.

The secretary of Labor plays a vital role in safeguarding the rights, dignity, and well-being of American workers. The secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the nation’s top health official, with a responsibility to advise the president in protecting and supporting families in times of crisis and in everyday life. And the secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) manages HUD’s extensive programs and agencies while also advising the president on housing and co

It is illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal and state elections, and claims of widespread noncitizen voting are simply not supported by evidence.

The Constitution’s overarching doctrine of separation of powers deals directly with the potential for corruption in a government, creating a system of checks and balances intended to prevent any one person or entity from overreach. Conflicts of interest present a common form of overreach.

Congress must push back against pocket rescission attempts and preserve its own rightful role as the branch that creates laws and controls the budget — its "one job."

The U.S. provides foreign aid assistance to other countries to promote global peace, security, and development.

As our presidential Cabinet series continues, consider the eighth, ninth, and tenth successors to the president and their critical roles in the United States government.

As our presidential Cabinet series continues, consider the fifth, sixth, and seventh successors to the president and their critical roles in the U.S. government. 

The presidential Cabinet consists of the vice president and the heads of 15 executive departments. It functions as an advisory body to the president of the United States.

A law is not a program. Rather, a law is the official starting point, or a directive to create a program or service. Like a ladder, many steps are required to take a law to a functioning, fully implemented program.

Habeas corpus is a legal concept that allows any person detained on a charge “without sufficient cause” to challenge their detention in court.

The judicial branch’s role in preserving a separation of powers has long contributed to the resiliency of the U.S. government. As citizens, we can recognize and respect this judicial power to check the other two branches of government and uphold our “constitutional federal republic working under principles of democracy.”

The U.S. Constitution sprang from the concept of separation of powers. The Constitution intentionally grants each branch separate and distinct powers.