Federal government

March 22, 2025

CBO: Projections of Deficits and Debt Under Alternative Scenarios for the Budget and Interest Rates

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO)* analyzed the effects of alternative budget scenarios in which provisions of the 2017 tax act were extended and the average interest rate on federal debt increased.

Summary:

This letter responds to a request for an analysis of projected deficits and debt under alternative scenarios for the budget and interest rates. Specifically, Congressman Schweikert asked how CBO’s baseline projections of deficits and debt—which reflect the scheduled expiration of certain provisions of the 2017 tax act (Public Law 115-97) under current law—would change if all provisions of that act were extended permanently. Congressman Schweikert also asked how the projections would change further if interest rates were higher than expected.

March 14, 2025

CBO Workbook on How Changes in Economic Conditions Might Affect the Federal Budget: 2025-2035

by David Badertscher

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO)* has created a workbook to allow users to define and analyze alternative economic scenarios by specifying differences in the values of four economic variables relative to the values underlying CBO’s January 2025 projections.

SUMMARY:

This workbook allows users to define and analyze alternative economic scenarios by specifying differences in the values of four economic variables—productivity growth, labor force growth, interest rates, and inflation—relative to the values underlying the Congressional Budget Office’s most recent projections. Those projections were published in The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2025 to 2035.

March 7, 2025

Selected Case Summaries Published by Justia, March 7, 2025

by David Badertscher

INCLUDES U.S. SUPREME COURT SUMMARIES:

During the week ending March 7, 2025 we have received listings of 21 Government and Administrative Law Summaries, 22 Constitutional Law summaries, 63 Criminal Law Summaries, 3 White Collar Law Summaries, 1 Copyright Law Summary, 9 Intellectual Property Summaries, 3 Medical Malpractice Summaries, and 2 U.S Supreme Court Summaries. We plan is to continue posting opinion summaries, under corresponding areas of law, weekly whenever possible in order to keep blog readers updated. To gain access to these case summaries, click on the corresponding links below:

Opinion Summaries Posted for Week Ending March 7, 2025:

January 29, 2025

Tracking Executive Orders in the Second Trump Administration: A Selected List of Information Sources

by David Badertscher

The sheer volume of Executive Orders issued by the White House since the start of this administration can feel overwhelming, especially for those tasked with monitoring these actions regularly. To assist in navigating this fast-paced environment, we have reviewed over a hundred websites to identify the most reliable and direct sources for tracking Executive Orders on an ongoing basis. In our selection process, we excluded sites that provide in-depth analysis of individual orders but lack a primary focus on continuous tracking. This post includes a link to a site which discuss what executive orders are, followed by links to our curated list of “go-to” resources designed to help you stay up-to-date with Executive Orders as they are issued.

WHAT IS AN EXECUTIVE ORDER?

What is an Executive Order ABA

October 30, 2024

Technology Standardization Policy Update, Webinar

by David Badertscher

Sponsored by the American Bar Association (ABA), Science and Technology Section.

November 21, 2024, 1:00 – 2:00pm ET.

“The ABA Science & Technology Law Section’s Technical Standardization Committee (TSC) invites you to a webinar briefing with the latest developments in public policy around technical standards. Prompted by rapid technology developments like those related to artificial intelligence (AI), Congress and the executive branch are working quickly to address observed and potential opportunities and risks posed to tech developers and consumers.”

October 29, 2024

ABA Election Resources Help Defend and Promote Democracy

by David Badertscher

A posting by American Bar Association President, William R. Ray.

“Voting is a civic right and responsibility. Everyone eligible to vote should exercise that right. This is our opportunity to have a say in how our government operates. The American Bar Association encourages all to take advantage of this opportunity. ”

For a more generalized statement about elections and voting from federal government perspective, see the White House statement, Elections and Voting.