congress – Page 2

Why Congress can’t curb Trump’s power to commute Stone’s sentence and pardon others

3Apr

By THEIRL1ADMIN01No Comments

POLITICS

Why Congress can’t curb Trump’s power to commute Stone’s sentence and pardon others

President Donald Trump recently commuted the sentence of his friend and political ally Roger Stone, meaning Stone remains convicted but does not have to serve prison time. Article II, section 2 of the Constitution grants the president the power “to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment” – which includes reducing or commuting sentences, as well as pardoning people for federal crimes, which can reverse their convictions, or preventing them from being charged in the first place. All but two presidents in U.S. history have issued pardons – and the two who didn’t were William Henry Harrison and James Garfield, both of whom died after very short times in office. Trump is not the first president to use the pardon power to remedy what...

Insider trading by members of Congress may be difficult to prove

3Apr

By THEIRL1ADMIN01No Comments

LIFESTYLE

Insider trading by members of Congress may be difficult to prove

Recent allegations regarding stock trading by members of Congress in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic have raised calls for the investigation of these politicians for illegal “insider trading.” But successfully prosecuting such cases will be very difficult. Even federal judges struggle with writing clear instructions to lay jurors in insider trading cases. Often, verdicts are reversed on appeal due to errors in explaining complicated legal terms. There are two different provisions of law that could apply to the trading activity of senators and congressional staff. Members of Congress and staff could run afoul of either or both of these laws. But proving a violation and convicting them is not likely. Stock Act and securities law The first provision is a rule known as Rule 10(b)(5) afte...

Coronavirus Restrictions Could Lead To Remote Voting For Congress

25Mar

By THEIRL1ADMIN01No Comments

COVID-19, IN OTHER NEWS

Coronavirus Restrictions Could Lead To Remote Voting For Congress

The spread of the coronavirus has created unprecedented problems for Congress as it confronts how to conduct legislative business after the infection of several members. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told Politico, “We probably cannot keep operating all in one location.” For all of U.S. history so far, the House and Senate have had to take votes in person, in their respective chambers. Now, public health measures may prevent that. As a former counsel for the House of Representatives from 1976 to 1983, I believe the Constitution permits Congress to use a method of voting other than gathering on the floor of their legislative chambers. Framers’ language The Framers who designed the constitutional structure for how things would work in Congress based it on parliamentary and colonial practices. ...

19Mar

By THEIRL1ADMIN01No Comments

COVID-19

Trump’s right: Congress should give Americans $1,000 right now to fight the coronavirus recession

Much of the U.S. economy has effectively shut down as America increasingly takes the coronavirus pandemic seriously. Retail stores and restaurants across the country are vacant. The entertainment and hospitality industries are on hiatus. While necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19, this will have grave consequences for the economy as well as for the tens of millions of workers who depend on hourly wages to buy food, medicine and put a roof over their heads. The Trump administration is finally taking it seriously too and asking Congress to pass an US$850 billion stimulus package, including sending $1,000 checks directly to all adult Americans. Some lawmakers are pushing for larger payments and over several months. This is welcome news. As a macroeconomist specializing in income inequa...