A new Brennan Center initiative will support the push for major changes. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 
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Brennan Center for Justice
 
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In response to mounting concerns about the politicization and unaccountability of the Supreme Court, the Brennan Center announced this week the launch of the Kohlberg Center. Backed by a $30 million pledge, this initiative will support long-term research, public education, and advocacy for reforms including term limits and enforceable ethics rules. In the wake of conflict-of-interest scandals and antidemocratic decisions by the conservative supermajority, this commitment will fuel efforts to bring the Court into step with the American public and restore confidence in judicial integrity and fairness.
Among the most egregious recent Supreme Court rulings was the decision in Trump v. United States, which granted presidents immunity from criminal prosecution for “official acts.” However, Congress now has an opportunity to mitigate the potential damage. By clearly defining the boundaries of the president’s constitutional authority, Congress can reclaim its role as a check on executive power and restore balance between the branches of government.
More than a decade of judicial decisions deregulating campaign finance, coupled with inaction by Congress, has given a small number of wealthy donors outsize influence over politics. Now, even in state elections, national megadonors and special interests are drowning out the voices of ordinary Americans. In a new Q&A, Daniel Weiner highlights the problems with big money in politics and proposals for fixing the system.
The Supreme Court’s decision to abandon the long-standing legal doctrine known as Chevron deference will hamper federal agencies’ ability to act in numerous areas affecting Americans’ everyday lives. Congress will have to enhance its understanding and oversight of technical topics such as artificial intelligence and climate change. A new analysis outlines steps that lawmakers can take to ensure their access to the expertise and support they need.
The latest Supreme Court term has transformed the legal landscape, but the implications for state courts and constitutions have gone largely overlooked. In State Court Report, Alicia Bannon explains how the Supreme Court’s consequential rulings on abortion, gun restrictions, and presidential immunity directly or indirectly implicate state courts.

 
BRENNAN CENTER ON REDDIT
The Insurrection Act is an outdated law that gives the president near-limitless power to use the U.S. military as a domestic police force. Congress urgently needs to clarify and limit when the president may invoke the law, restrict what the military can do once deployed, and create mechanisms that will allow Congress and the courts to intervene to stop abuse. Learn more in our Reddit “Ask Me Anything” >>

 
Virtual Events
 
The Data Behind Bail Reform
Thursday, August 15, 3–4 p.m. ET
Cities, counties, and states across the nation have curbed the use of money bail. Reformers say that jailing criminal defendants who can’t afford to buy their pretrial freedom punishes poverty and doesn’t make anyone safer. Opponents, however, blamed higher crime during the Covid-19 pandemic on bail reform and pushed to roll back the changes.
 
Join us for a live virtual event in which Brennan Center experts compare crime rates in cities that enacted bail reform with those that did not. In the broadest and most comprehensive study of this issue to date, they found no evidence that limiting bail and pretrial detention increased crime. Ultimately, there are more promising ways to lower crime than to attack and weaken bail reform. RSVP today

 
 
Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law
120 Broadway, Suite 1750 New York, NY 10271
646-292-8310
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