Political Awareness

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National Policy Roundup

National Policy Roundup is a section to explain what legislation is currently being considered in Congress, the cases held by the Supreme Court, and actions taken by the Executive branch each week. The goal of this column is to break down the important legislation to help our readers better understand how current happenings in the federal government can and will affect their lives as well as what they can do to help influence their representatives actions. 

Congress~

Policy Brief: U.S. Government Shutdown 

The Basics

The federal government officially shut down at 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2025, after Congress failed to pass a new funding bill or a continuing resolution. The deadlock stems from partisan disputes over federal spending, healthcare subsidies, and foreign aid allocations. This marks the first full government shutdown since 2018–2019 and is already having widespread effects across federal operations.

Key facts:

• Roughly 750,000 federal employees are furloughed each day.
• Essential workers (e.g., military, TSA, border patrol) continue without pay until funding resumes.
• The cost to the U.S. economy is estimated at $400 million per day.
• Agencies like the IRS and EPA have furloughed large portions of their staff.
• Services funded by mandatory spending—Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid—remain largely unaffected.

What’s Affected: 

While essential operations continue, many noncritical government services are on pause. National parks, research agencies, and public health offices have reduced operations, and the processing of permits, grants, and loans has slowed significantly.

Impacts so far:

• National parks & museums: Many closed or operating without full staff.
• Federal workers: Nonessential employees are furloughed; essential staff working without pay.
• Economic activity: Billions lost weekly in productivity and consumer spending.
• Public programs: Some nutrition and childcare assistance programs could face delays if the shutdown persists.
• Travel: Air traffic control and TSA remain active but strained, with rising wait times.

Political & Economic Outlook

Negotiations remain stalled as lawmakers debate spending levels and health policy provisions. Both parties face pressure to reach a compromise as public frustration grows. Economists warn that a prolonged shutdown could slow GDP growth and shake public confidence in government stability.

For now, the shutdown continues into its second week, with no clear end in sight.

Legislation of Note from the Supreme Court~

Chiles v. Salazar

Decision date: October 7, 2025

What happened: The Court heard oral arguments on whether Colorado’s ban on “conversion therapy” for minors violates the First Amendment’s free-speech protections.

Summary of case: Licensed therapist Christopher Chiles argues that the law restricts the speech of professionals by prohibiting counseling intended to change a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Colorado defends the law as a legitimate regulation of medical conduct aimed at protecting minors from harm.

Context: The case tests how far states can go in restricting professional speech and whether such restrictions are considered conduct regulation or viewpoint discrimination. It follows previous cases like National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra (2018), where the Court struck down state-mandated disclosures for pregnancy centers.

Status: Awaiting decision; oral arguments suggest the conservative majority may be skeptical of the ban’s constitutionality.

Bost v. Illinois State Board of Elections

Decision date: October 8, 2025 (oral arguments)

What happened: The Court heard arguments over Illinois’ mail-in ballot law, which allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted for up to 14 days after.

Summary of case: Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) and others claim the law dilutes their votes and violates federal election standards, while Illinois argues that extending the counting period ensures all valid votes are tallied.

Context: The case raises issues of voter access, election integrity, and candidate standing. It echoes previous disputes from the 2020 and 2022 elections over mail-in voting deadlines.

Status: No ruling yet; justices appear divided on whether the plaintiffs have legal standing to bring the challenge.

Department of Homeland Security v. Venezuelan TPS Beneficiaries

Decision date: October 3, 2025

What happened: The Court ruled 6–3 to allow the administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan nationals.

Summary of case: The case centered on whether the executive branch has broad discretion to terminate TPS for a country still experiencing a political and economic crisis. Immigrant advocates argued that ending TPS without congressional consultation violated statutory protections.

Context: The decision continues the Court’s trend of deferring to executive power in immigration policy. Critics warn it could affect thousands of Venezuelan immigrants legally residing in the U.S. under TPS protections.

Status: TPS for Venezuelans will begin to phase out unless Congress or the administration acts to reinstate protections.

Project Veritas v. Oregon

Decision date: October 6, 2025

What happened: The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from Project Veritas challenging Oregon’s ban on most secret recordings of private conversations.

Summary of case: Project Veritas argued that Oregon’s law violates the First Amendment by preventing journalists from conducting undercover investigations. The lower court upheld the law, ruling that it protects citizens’ privacy rights.

Context: The denial lets the Ninth Circuit’s decision stand, reinforcing states’ power to regulate recording practices even when framed as investigative journalism.

Status: The Oregon law remains in effect; the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case leaves no national precedent on the issue for now.

Executive Actions of Note~ 

1. “Decision of the President and Statement of Reasons on the 2025 Ambler Road Appeal”
   Action date: October 6, 2025

What happened: President Trump approved the appeal filed by Alaska’s Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) to proceed with the Ambler Road Project under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). This action reverses the prior federal decision that had blocked construction permits.

Summary of action:

• The Ambler Road would stretch roughly 211 miles through northern Alaska to access the mineral-rich Ambler Mining District.
• Trump’s order directs federal agencies to immediately issue the necessary authorizations for construction, citing national interest in developing U.S. mineral and energy resources.
• The administration described the project as part of its broader “energy dominance” agenda, highlighting critical mineral extraction for domestic production and defense industries.

Context & development:

• Environmental concerns: Conservation and tribal groups argue the project threatens protected wilderness and subsistence lands, vowing to pursue further litigation.
• Policy reversal: This marks a full reversal of the Biden administration’s 2022 decision to suspend permits over environmental review deficiencies.
• Political framing: The White House presented the move as restoring “commonsense permitting” and prioritizing U.S. self-sufficiency in minerals needed for manufacturing and defense.

2. “Memorandum on the Protection of Federal Personnel and Property in the State of Illinois”
   Action date: October 6, 2025

What happened: The White House issued a memorandum authorizing enhanced federal protection measures for federal buildings, property, and employees in Illinois.

Summary of action:

• The memorandum directs the Department of War and Department of Justice to coordinate the deployment of federal resources to safeguard personnel and infrastructure.
• While details remain limited, early reports suggest the action responds to ongoing protests and security incidents near federal facilities.
• The order grants the Attorney General broad discretion to determine the scope and duration of federal protective measures.

Context & development:

• Federal intervention: Critics argue the move represents another expansion of federal policing authority into state jurisdictions.
• Transparency issues: Neither the White House nor DOJ released specifics on the duration, number of personnel involved, or oversight measures.
• Potential legal review: State officials are reviewing whether the order conflicts with Illinois’ authority over local law enforcement operations.

3. “Establishing a Concierge Review Process for Fossil Fuel Project Permits”
   Action date: October 7, 2025

What happened: The White House announced a “concierge service” permitting system designed to expedite fossil fuel project approvals by creating direct coordination channels between industry applicants and federal agencies.

Summary of action:

• The initiative prioritizes oil, gas, and coal infrastructure projects by assigning senior federal liaisons to streamline environmental and logistical reviews.
• Renewable energy projects are not included in the fast-track system, prompting criticism of bias toward fossil fuels.
• Administration officials framed the move as an effort to “unclog bureaucratic delays” and secure U.S. energy independence.

Context & development:

• Criticism: Environmental groups and Democratic lawmakers condemned the system  and warned it sidelines climate commitments.
• Industry response: Major fossil fuel companies praised the decision, noting it could reduce multi-year permitting timelines to under 12 months.
• Regulatory challenge: Legal experts predict the policy could face lawsuits over violations of the Administrative Procedure Act and unequal treatment of energy sectors.

4. “Declaration of Armed Conflict Against Drug Cartels”
   Action date: October 3, 2025

What happened: President Trump formally declared that the United States is in an “armed conflict” with transnational drug cartels following U.S. military strikes on narcotics-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean.

Summary of action:

• The declaration authorizes expanded military operations against cartel-linked targets under the law of armed conflict.
• Trump administration officials described it as part of a broader “war on cartels”, justifying the use of lethal force and intelligence operations.
• The Pentagon confirmed several strikes on suspected Venezuelan and Colombian drug operations.

Context & development:

• Legal implications: Critics argue the declaration bypasses Congress and could violate the War Powers Resolution.
• International reaction: Mexico and Venezuela condemned the action, warning it risks destabilizing regional relations.

Domestic debate: Civil liberties groups raised concerns about setting a precedent for unilateral military action without congressional authorization.

What You Can Do

Your Voice Matters in Our Federal Government!

Crucially, democracy works best when you participate. Whether you’re passionate about climate action, education, healthcare, or civil rights. Getting involved gives your voice power.

✅ Contact Your Representatives
Call, email, or write to your senators and House representative. Share your opinions on legislation, ask questions, and urge them to act on issues that matter to you.

✅ Stay Informed
Follow Political Awareness’s newsletter, current legislation, committee hearings, and policy debates. To take it a step further. Websites like Congress.gov or GovTrack make it easy to track bills and see how your representatives vote.

✅ Vote in Every Election
Federal, state, and local elections all shape the laws and policies that affect your life. To participate, register to vote, learn about the candidates, and show up on Election Day, or vote early or by mail.

✅ Join Civic Organizations
For example, whether it’s advocacy groups, nonprofits, or political organizations, joining a cause you care about can amplify your impact and connect you with others working for change.

✅ Spread the Word

By speaking up on social media, in conversations, or at community events, others will be motivated to get involved.

✅ Take Action Today

Find your representatives at house.gov and senate.gov and let them hear from you. Remember, democracy doesn’t end at the ballot box—it begins with you raising your voice.