On the Radar

Census Citizenship Question Back on Table

President Donald Trump is vowing to continue fighting for a citizenship question on the 2020 census, contradicting both his Justice Department and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

“The News Reports about the Department of Commerce dropping its quest to put the Citizenship Question on the Census is incorrect or, to state it differently, FAKE!” the president wrote on Twitter Wednesday morning. “We are absolutely moving forward, as we must, because of the importance of the answer to this question.”

On Tuesday, DOJ Attorney Kate Bailey had emailed plaintiffs challenging the question that she could "confirm that the decision has been made to print the 2020 Decennial Census questionnaire without a citizenship question, and that the printer has been instructed to begin the printing process."

On Wednesday afternoon, however, lawyers with the DOJ told a federal judge that they've "been instructed to examine whether there is a path forward consistent with the Supreme Court's decision that would allow us to include the citizenship question on the census."

Should we delay the census?

How Would You Amend the U.S. Constitution?

So far in the 116th Congress, lawmakers have introduced 58 resolutions to amend the U.S. Constitution.

The Constitution hasn’t been changed since the 27th Amendment was ratified on May 7, 1992, which prohibits a newly authorized congressional pay raise from taking effect until the next Congress is seated.

The politically challenging process of ratifying an amendment to the U.S. Constitution ― which requires passage in both chambers of Congress by a two-thirds majority and ratification by three-fourths of the states (38) ― is a big part of why it’s been nearly three decades since the last amendment was ratified.

Setting aside the political challenges and practicalities, what constitutional amendment(s) ― if any ― would you like to see adopted? As food for thought, here’s a few of the proposed amendments currently in Congress:

• 13 would require balancing the federal budget.
• 9 would impose term limits on Congress.
• 5 would regulate campaign finance laws to restrict corporate contributions.
• 3 would abolish the Electoral College.

Check out more amendments currently being considered here, then let us know what amendments you’d like to see adopted (or not) in the comments below.

Under the Radar

Florida Felons Paying Fees Pre-Voting

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill into law that requires felons to pay any outstanding court fines or fees before they cast a ballot.

Last November, voters in the Sunshine State approved a constitutional amendment that would restore voting rights to over 1 million felons. The amendment, which excluded those convicted of murder and felony sexual offenses, said that “voting rights shall be restored upon completion of all terms of sentence including parole or probation."

After signing the new bill into law, DeSantis said it "confirms that the amendment does not apply to a felon who has failed to complete all the terms of his sentence."

 The ACLU has filed a lawsuit against the law, which it says creates "two classes of returning citizens: a group wealthy enough to afford their voting rights and another group who cannot afford to vote."

Should felons have to pay fees and fines before voting?

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