The nation watched in horror as yet another Black man — this time, Tyre Nichols — was killed by police. The attack in Memphis is a reminder of how a culture of police violence too often leads to excessive use of force. To make sure law enforcement truly serves its purpose, there must be an ideological shift in policing. We need reforms such as the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and the use of non–law enforcement first responders to address certain nonviolent complaints. And perhaps most importantly, police must be held accountable for misconduct.

The next election will have a big wild card: some states may use different maps than they did in 2022. Depending on how ongoing redistricting fights play out in court, congressional districts in states including Florida, North Carolina, and Ohio might look very different. Whether these changes will make maps fairer or more gerrymandered remains to be seen, but they could give one party an edge in the close fight to control the House.

Many observers believe Congress is irreparably broken and paralyzed by partisan conflict. But a close look at the legislative process reveals there are still plenty of working parts that allow for bipartisan progress. In her new book, Inside Congressional Committees, Maya Kornberg explores how strengthening the committee system can help lawmakers get their work done.

The Biden administration recently proposed changing the census form to ask about ethnicity and race in a single question. This stands to help the government collect better data, enforce civil rights protections for Latinos and other people of color, and ensure that electoral districts reflect their diverse communities. Modifying the questionnaire is among the many reforms needed to improve the accuracy and legitimacy of the count.