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.

Legislation of Note from the Supreme Court~

Petition to Overturn Obergefell v. Hodges

Filed in August 2025 by Kim Davis, the former Rowan County, Kentucky clerk, whose 2015 refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples led to a high-profile legal battle. Her petition asks the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its landmark 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which established same-sex marriage as a constitutional right nationwide.

Summary of case:

Davis’s legal team submitted a 90-page filing that labels the Obergefell ruling a “legal fiction” and claims it infringes on her First Amendment right to free exercise of religion. They argue that the decision improperly compels individuals with religious objections to endorse or facilitate marriages that conflict with their beliefs. The filing asserts that Obergefell was wrongly decided and urges the Court to reverse it, returning the issue to the states.

Key arguments include:

Obergefell should be reconsidered because it allegedly conflicts with the Constitution’s religious liberty protections.
Marriage law historically falls under state jurisdiction, and federal recognition should not override individual conscience rights.
The decision forces public officials like Davis to act against sincerely held religious convictions, constituting an unconstitutional burden.

Context and current status:

The Supreme Court will decide in the coming months whether to hear the case during its next term, which begins in October 2025. This would be the first major direct challenge to Obergefell since its issuance in 2015. Public opinion remains strongly in favor of marriage equality—recent polling shows 68% support. Additionally, the 2022 Respect for Marriage Act requires federal and state recognition of marriages regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin, even if Obergefell were overturned.

Support:
Supporters of Davis’s petition—primarily conservative legal groups and some religious liberty advocates—argue that the original decision was judicial overreach. They see this challenge as an opportunity to reaffirm religious freedom and return marriage regulation to the states.

Opposition:

LGBTQ+ rights organizations, civil liberties groups, and many legal scholars strongly oppose revisiting Obergefell. They contend that overturning it would roll back fundamental civil rights, create legal uncertainty for married same-sex couples, and open the door to further erosion of LGBTQ+ protections. Many also note that existing laws, like the Respect for Marriage Act, would limit the practical impact but not the symbolic harm of such a reversal.

Petitioner:

Kim Davis: Former county clerk for Rowan County, Kentucky. Known for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after Obergefell, resulting in jail time for contempt of court in 2015.

Executive Actions of Note~

1. Federal Takeover of Washington, D.C., Policing

What happened:

On August 11, 2025, President Trump declared a “crime emergency” in Washington, D.C., invoking Section 740 of the Home Rule Act. This allowed him to place the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) under federal control for up to 30 days and deploy 800 National Guard troops to the capital. Command authority was delegated to Attorney General Pam Bondi, with federal agents directed to assist.

Trump justified the move by citing rampant crime and “violent criminals,” although crime statistics indicate that violent crime in the city is actually at a 30-year low, having dropped significantly since its 2023 peak.

In a statement on August 13, Trump said he will seek congressional approval to extend federal control beyond the 30-day limit. He also signaled that Washington can serve as a “beacon” and model for similar interventions in other Democratic-led cities, including New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, citing high crime rates despite data suggesting otherwise.

Critics say:

D.C. officials and civil-liberties advocates denounced the action as an unprecedented federal overreach that undercuts local self-governance, especially alarming given the city’s limited home rule and symbolic importance as a democratic capital.
Experts question Trump’s authority to extend the federal takeover beyond 30 days absent congressional approval; and point to potential legal challenges if he attempts to declare a national emergency to bypass Congress.
Opinion pieces warn the militarization of law enforcement may mirror Mexico’s failed public safety strategy, risking civil liberties and democratic erosion. The use of National Guard troops in policing could foster an adversarial “us vs. them” environment.

2. 90-Day Extension of the China Tariff “Truce”

What happened:

Also on August 11, 2025, Trump signed an executive order officially extending a 90-day pause on implementing new tariffs against Chinese imports. The “truce” maintains current reciprocal tariff rates while trade negotiations continue.

Critics say:

Trade hawks argue this extends negotiations without meaningful leverage, sending inconsistent signals that may weaken U.S. bargaining power.
Business groups see the extension as a welcome stopgap, but caution that unpredictability around sudden tariff reversals remains a concern.

3. “Epstein Files” & Court Action on Maxwell Materials

What happened:

In July, Trump publicly directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to request the release of grand jury transcripts related to Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, aiming to address conspiracy theories and public scrutiny. Vice President J.D. Vance defended the administration’s refusal to release the records, citing legal constraints

On August 11, a federal judge in New York, Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, denied the Justice Department’s request to unseal the Maxwell grand jury transcripts. He concluded that the documents contain “little to no new information” and that the DOJ’s justification was “demonstrably false.” He also emphasized that grand jury secrecy laws typically prohibit such disclosures.

Critics say:

Transparency advocates argue that withholding these files signals political avoidance and prevents public insight into one of the most scandal-laden criminal cases in recent memory.
Legal experts caution that grand jury secrecy is a long-established protection; unsealing transcripts could disrupt prosecutorial processes, endanger witnesses, and compromise due process.

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, your voice has power—and it starts with getting involved.

✅ 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.

Political Awareness