Latest Politics Headlines

All the headlines from our Politics Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Trump Administration to Unveil Proposal for Changing Immunity for Tech Platforms

Jun 17 2020 // The U.S. Justice Department will propose legislation as soon as Wednesday to try to remove protections that big tech platforms like Alphabet’s Google and Facebook have had for decades, a department official said on...

Tennessee Senate Approves Coronavirus Liability Bill for Nursing Homes, Businesses

Jun 15 2020 // The Tennessee Senate advanced legislation Thursday that would provide nursing homes, grocery stores and other businesses sweeping protections from coronavirus lawsuits. The measure is similar to the growing trend going on...

Iowa Republicans Push to Limit Coronavirus Liability

Jun 11 2020 // Iowa Republican legislators are fast-tracking a bill that would give meatpacking plants, nursing homes and other businesses broad immunity from coronavirus lawsuits despite criticism that it would also enable them to...

Senate Weighs Broad Coronavirus Liability Shield for Employers

Jun 11 2020 // Senate Republicans are drafting legislation that would let employers choose which government coronavirus safety guidelines to follow in order to be shielded from lawsuits if their customers or workers contract the virus,...

GOP Questions North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Candidate’s Eligibility

May 22 2020 // The North Dakota Republican Party is questioning the eligibility of the Democratic candidate for state insurance commissioner, alleging she hasn’t lived in the state long enough to run for statewide office. In a...

Louisiana Senate OKs Bill Aimed at Curbing Car Accident Lawsuits

May 19 2020 // The Louisiana Senate has agreed to change the rules for lawsuits over car wrecks, aiming to limit damage claims against insurance companies and other businesses. The Senate voted 29-8 for the bill by Republican Sen. Kirk...

Louisiana Senate Backs Bills to Shield Businesses from Virus Lawsuits

May 18 2020 // Restaurants serving takeout and delivery orders in Louisiana during the coronavirus outbreak and businesses providing protective gear should be largely shielded from lawsuits for injuries, the state Senate decided on May...

Trump Administration Rule Changes Allow Trucker Work Day of 14 Hours

May 15 2020 // The U.S. Transportation Department on Thursday published new rules for truck drivers that will allow short-haul drivers to work a longer day and revising rules for longer trips, saying the changes will save the industry...

Oklahoma Senate OKs Bill Limiting Coronavirus Liability for Businesses

May 14 2020 // The Oklahoma Senate has approved legislation giving liability relief to essential businesses and those working to safely reopen, as well as a measure protecting manufacturers and people who make or donate materials related...

Kansas GOP Lawmakers Want to Limit Coronavirus Lawsuits

May 14 2020 // Republican legislators in Kansas are joining a broader effort to shield doctors, hospitals and businesses from lawsuits stemming from the coronavirus, with business and medical groups pushing them to act quickly. The...

Trump Administration Revises Sexual Assault Response Rules for Schools

May 8 2020 // Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Wednesday issued a new policy that will reshape the way schools and universities respond to complaints of sexual misconduct, bolstering the rights of the accused and narrowing the scope...

Republicans Rally Around Call for Legal Immunity for Businesses When They Reopen

May 4 2020 // The top Republicans in the U.S. Congress displayed a united front on Friday in their drive for coronavirus-related liability protections for businesses, saying such measures will be crucial to talks about future relief...

Trump Administration Defends Workplace Safety Record During Coronavirus Crisis

May 1 2020 // U.S. Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia on Thursday defended his department’s handling of workplace safety during the coronavirus pandemic, saying “the cop is on the beat” in response to union criticism about...

Supreme Court Rejects Trump Administration’s View of Clean Water Act

Apr 27 2020 // The Supreme Court ruled last week that sewage plants and other industries cannot avoid environmental requirements under landmark clean-water protections when they send dirty water on an indirect route to rivers, oceans and...

Some Details of the $2 Trillion U.S. Senate Coronavirus Rescue Bill

Mar 25 2020 // U.S. senators will vote on Wednesday on a $2 trillion bipartisan package of legislation to alleviate the devastating economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, hoping it will become law quickly so they can get out of...

Alabama Senate Approves Medical Marijuana Bill

Mar 16 2020 // A medical marijuana bill cleared its first floor vote Thursday in the Alabama Legislature as advocates hope to make headway after years of setbacks. The Alabama Senate vote 22-10 for the bill by Republican Sen. Tim Melson...

Bill Passed by Missouri Senate Bans Marijuana-Infused Candy

Mar 11 2020 // Missouri state senators have passed a wide-ranging bill that would ban marijuana-infused candy for medical use, an attempt to ensure children don’t accidentally eat the drug. The measure would ban candy, lollipops,...

Louisiana Republicans, Business Aligned on Auto Insurance, Tort Reform

Mar 10 2020 // Business groups see an opportunity with the new, more conservative Republican-led Louisiana Legislature to gain traction on a top goal, to rein in civil lawsuits and damage awards against them. GOP lawmakers have made the...

Bill to Make Healthcare Facilities Safer Places to Work Passes Oklahoma Senate

Mar 5 2020 // The Oklahoma Senate has passed legislation that strengthens laws related to workplace safety in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Senate Bill 1290, the Medical Care Provider Protection Act, by Sen. Darrell Weaver,...

Georgia Senate Bill Aims to Limit Civil Lawsuits in the State

Mar 2 2020 // A Georgia Senate bill backed by Republicans aims to take on the tall task of limiting lawsuits in state courts, citing high legal costs faced by businesses. Senate Bill 415, sponsored by state Sen. Steve Gooch of...