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US state legislatures
Trends
- 1Aisha Wahab Urges US Diplomatic Engagement with Afghanistan▼Aisha Wahab Calls for US Diplomatic Engagement with Afghanistan
California State Senator Aisha Wahab, the first Afghan-American elected to the state legislature, has called on the United States to pursue diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan. The appeal has drawn attention among Afghan communities and policymakers, with debate over how Washington should approach the Taliban administration while addressing humanitarian concerns and the rights of women and minorities.
- 2Congress cannot tackle major issues without reform, editorial argues●Congress can’t address important issues without reform
An editorial argues that Congress is unable to address important national issues without institutional reform, pointing to structural dysfunction in the US legislature. The piece reflects ongoing frustration in the United States over legislative gridlock and the difficulty of passing major legislation. Debate continues over what reforms would be needed to make Congress function effectively.
- 3US judge rules states, not Congress, must regulate noncitizen voting▼US federal judge finds states, not Congress, must regulate voting by noncitizens
A US federal judge has ruled that states, not Congress, hold the authority to regulate voting by noncitizens. The decision places responsibility for election rules on individual state legislatures, a finding likely to fuel ongoing legal and political battles over voting rights and election administration ahead of upcoming elections.
- 4Cities and States Take Climate Fight to the Courtrooms▼Why Cities and States Are Fighting Climate Change in Courtrooms
US cities and states are increasingly pursuing climate action through lawsuits, seeking to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for damages and force stronger emissions policy where legislatures have stalled. The New York Times examines how these courtroom battles are becoming a central front in climate politics, with cases testing liability, disclosure, and local governments' power to regulate.