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The Atlanta Speech Sparked a Lasting Debate Over the Path to Civil Rights

The Atlanta Speech Sparked a Lasting Debate Over the Path to Civil Rights

Washington delivered a pivotal address at the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia, a speech that would come to be known ...

ACLU Women's Rights Project Files FOIA Request on Pentagon Review of Women in Combat Roles

ACLU Women's Rights Project Files FOIA Request on Pentagon Review of Women in Combat Roles

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Women's Rights Project (WRP), alongside the National Women's Law Center (NWLC) and the Service Women's Action Network (SWAN), has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Department of Defense (DoD). This request seeks records related to a formal review initiated by the DoD concerning the 'effectiveness' of women in ground combat roles. The review, launched in December 2025, directs the Army and Marine Corps to provide data on the operational effectiveness of units with women integrated into combat roles. This comes a decade after the lifting of restrictions that allowed women to compete for these positions, with approximately 5,000 women having served in such roles. The DoD initially assigned the review to the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) and later reassigned it to Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL), extending its duration to one year. The organizations filing the FOIA request express concern that this review ma...

National Urban League Calls for Action on Voting Rights and Economic Dignity at March on Washington

National Urban League Calls for Action on Voting Rights and Economic Dignity at March on Washington

The National Urban League, alongside a coalition of labor, faith, and civil rights groups, is organizing a March on Washington to advocate for voting rights, equal opportunity, and economic dignity. This event, scheduled for August 28th, marks the 63rd anniversary of the original March on Washington. The organizers emphasize that this is not merely a commemorative event but a continuation of sustained pressure to demand change. Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, highlights the historical precedent where public pressure, such as the Birmingham protests, led to significant legislative action like the Civil Rights Act. The coalition aims to address contemporary issues, including the impact of Supreme Court decisions like Shelby v. Holder and Louisiana v. Callais on voting rights, and to push for the enshrinement of voting rights in the Constitution. The movement also seeks to ensure economic dignity for all Americans.

Why high gas prices are not a 'small price to pay' as Trump says

Why high gas prices are not a 'small price to pay' as Trump says

President Donald Trump says high gas prices are a “small price to pay” for the ongoing war on Iran. Here's why that's not true for most Americans.

Decades of Activism Put Angela Davis on Time's Most Influential List

Decades of Activism Put Angela Davis on Time's Most Influential List

Angela Yvonne Davis, born in Birmingham, Alabama, on January 26, 1944, has dedicated her life to political activism and social theory. Her journey ...

Congressman Cohen and Colleagues Request GAO Review of BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program Amidst Slaughter Reports

Congressman Cohen and Colleagues Request GAO Review of BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program Amidst Slaughter Reports

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), alongside Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01) and 16 other congressional colleagues, has sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The letter requests a comprehensive review of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Program. This request follows recent reports alleging that wild horses managed by the BLM have been sold and subsequently slaughtered. The Congressional Wild Horse Caucus Co-Chairs, including Congressman Cohen, Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), and Mark Pocan (WI-02), as well as Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, support this initiative. The American Wild Horse Conservation has also endorsed the letter. The core concern is whether the BLM's current practices adequately protect federally managed wild horses and burros, comply with congressional directives, and appropriately safeguard taxpayer resources, especially in light of a New York Times report detailing how changes in BLM's management could exploit a legal loop...

Supreme Court Decisions Shaped U.S. History Through One-Vote Margins

Supreme Court Decisions Shaped U.S. History Through One-Vote Margins

Throughout U.S. history, numerous pivotal Supreme Court cases have been decided by a single vote, fundamentally altering the nation's trajectory. These 5-4 rulings have impacted civil rights, labor laws, press freedom, and presidential elections. For instance, the 1873 Slaughter-House Cases, by a 5-4 margin, narrowly interpreted the 14th Amendment's Privileges or Immunities Clause, preventing it from becoming a broad civil rights protection. A different outcome could have provided a stronger federal shield for individual rights and potentially prevented the rise of Jim Crow laws. Similarly, in 1905, Lochner v. New York struck down maximum-hour labor laws, entrenching 'liberty of contract' and delaying the acceleration of worker protection laws and the regulatory state. The 1931 case Near v. Minnesota, also decided 5-4, established strong protections against prior restraint, safeguarding press freedom. A different vote could have allowed government censorship of newspapers, significantly altering the landsc...

Congresswoman McIver Introduces Bill to Enhance SBA Reporting for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses

Congresswoman McIver Introduces Bill to Enhance SBA Reporting for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses

Congresswoman LaMonica McIver has introduced the “Ensuring SBA Implementation of GAO Recommendations Act of 2026.” This proposed legislation aims to direct the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) veteran business office to establish clear procedures for reporting on veteran-owned small businesses. The bill's stated goal is to mandate the SBA to report on methods to improve veteran-owned businesses' access to federal contracting opportunities and SBA programs. It also addresses a finding by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that indicated the SBA had previously lacked proper procedures for its annual reporting requirements. This initiative seeks to create more transparency and accountability within the SBA's efforts to support veteran entrepreneurs.

Representative LaMonica McIver Appointed Co-Chair of Caucus on Black Women and Girls

Representative LaMonica McIver Appointed Co-Chair of Caucus on Black Women and Girls

Representative LaMonica McIver has been named a new Co-Chair of the Caucus on Black Women and Girls. This appointment signifies her continued involvement and leadership in advocating for the rights and voices of Black women. The announcement was made as part of a broader update on congressional activities, highlighting her commitment to this specific demographic. Her role as Co-Chair will involve championing issues pertinent to Black women and girls, building on her established record as a long-time advocate. This development comes amidst various legislative actions and discussions within the U.S. Congress, including debates on economic policies, social issues, and legislative introductions by other members. McIver's new position places her at the forefront of efforts to address challenges and promote opportunities for Black women and girls within the political landscape.

Governor Spanberger Halts Youngkin-Era Rule Restricting Transgender Student Participation in Virginia

Governor Spanberger Halts Youngkin-Era Rule Restricting Transgender Student Participation in Virginia

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has ended a rulemaking process initiated by former Governor Glenn Youngkin's administration that aimed to restrict transgender students from participating in female sports teams and using certain female-designated bathrooms and locker rooms. The State Board of Health withdrew the proposal in July after receiving 321 public comments. Governor Spanberger announced this decision at the state's largest LGBTQ gathering, emphasizing her commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. The proposed rule was prompted by a petition from anti-trans activists seeking to target 'males claiming or pretending to be females and gaining access to female-only athletic competitions and private spaces.' Spanberger stated that there was 'no legal authority' to move forward with such rulemaking, and her administration would not create such 'lanes.' State Senator Danica Roem celebrated the rule's takedown, calling Youngkin's policy an attempt to 'single out & stigmatize trans constituents.'

Senator Gillibrand Holds First Congressional Hearing on Menopause, Calls for Improved Research and Care

Senator Gillibrand Holds First Congressional Hearing on Menopause, Calls for Improved Research and Care

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), alongside Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), ranking member and chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, recently convened the first-ever congressional hearing dedicated to menopause. Expert witnesses at the hearing underscored the critical need for advancements in menopause research, training, and care. Senator Gillibrand highlighted that menopause affects over half of the U.S. population, yet it remains one of the most under-researched, undertreated, and underdiagnosed medical fields. Less than 1% of federal women's health research funding is allocated to menopause, and a significant majority of OB-GYN residents report feeling unprepared to discuss the topic. In a bipartisan effort, Senators Gillibrand and Scott have also requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the federal government's coordination and funding for menopause research and care.

Democratic senator calls for US diplomats to help guide Europe troop review

Democratic senator calls for US diplomats to help guide Europe troop review

By Gram Slattery WASHINGTON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - A key Senate Democrat has asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure that U.S. diplomats are involved in a Pentagon-led review of America's military presence in Europe that has alarmed NATO allies.