theflyingmongoose's Test Thread

[theflyingmgoose]

(NOTE: The GOP kinda just gives up after their impeachment of Clinton backfires spectacularly, which also backfires spectacularly)

First Impeachment Of William Jefferson Clinton
I: For obstruction of justice
II: For abuse of power
III: For perjury
Articles Introduced on December 14, 1997
I and II passed the House on January 11, 1998 (241-190/259-169)
III failed the House on January 12, 1998 (214-217)
Senate Trial began on January 20, 1998
Senate Trial concluded on January 27, 1998
Acquitted on I on January 29, 1998 (54-44)
Acquitted on II on January 30, 1998 (64-32)

Health Care Repeal Act of 1998:
-Identical to the 1997 Health Care Freedom Act
Proposed on November 10, 1997
Passed the House on December 17, 1997 (240-193)
Passed the Senate on January 31, 1998 (59-38)
Vetoed by President Bill Clinton on February 1, 1998
Override by House failed on February 12, 1998 (236-195)

BILL CLINTON JOB APPROVAL:
January 1998: 69%
February 1998: 71%
March 1998: 68%
April 1998: 68%
May 1998: 70%
June 1998: 69%
July 1998: 67%
August 1998: 70%
September 1998: 72%
October 1998: 70%
November 1998: 71%
December 1998: 70%

 

[theflyingmgoose]

R: 62 (-3)
D: 38 (+3)

Sen. Zell Miller (D-GA), January 3, 1999-January 3, 2005
Sen. Carol Moseley Braun (D-IL), January 3, 1993-January 3, 2005
Sen. Scotty Baesler (D-KY), January 3, 1999-January 3, 2005
Sen. Jay Nixon (D-MO), January 3, 1999-January 3, 2005

 

[theflyingmgoose]

R: 240 (-8)
D: 195 (+8)

 

[theflyingmgoose]

D: 31 (+21)
R: 18 (-22)
I: 1 (+1)


Gov. Tony Knowles (D-AK), December 7, 1998-December 2, 2002
Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR), January 11, 1995-January 10, 2003
Gov. Gail Schoettler (D-CO), January 12, 1999-January 8, 2003
Gov. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), January 14, 1999-January 14, 2003
Gov. Buddy MacKay (D-FL), January 5, 1999-January 8, 2003
Gov. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), December 5, 1998-December 5, 2002
Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-IL), January 11, 1999-January 13, 2003
Gov. Angus King (D-ME), January 5, 1995-January 6, 2003 (ELECTED AS DEMOCRAT)
Gov. Melvin Steinberg (D-MD), January 13, 1999-January 15, 2003
Gov. Scott Harshbarger (D-MA), January 7, 1999-January 2, 2003
Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D-MI), January 1, 1999-January 1, 2003
Gov. Bill Hoppner (D-NE), January 7, 1999-January 9, 2003
Gov. Dina Titus (D-NV), January 4, 1999-January 7, 2003
Gov. Martin Chavez (D-NM), January 1, 1999-January 1, 2003
Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D-NY), January 1, 1999-December 31, 2002
Gov. Lee Fisher (D-OH), January 8, 1999-January 13, 2003
Gov. Laura Boyd (D-OK), January 11, 1999-January 13, 2003
Gov. Bud Pierce (R-OR), January 9, 1995-January 6, 2003
Gov. Myrth York (D-RI), January 5, 1999-January 7, 2003
Gov. Ann Richards (D-TX), January 15, 1991-January 17, 1995; January 19, 1999-January 21, 2003
Gov. Howard Dean (D-VT), August 13, 1991-January 20, 1995; January 18, 1999-January 21, 2001

 

[theflyingmgoose]

(NOTE: Republicans kinda just stop trying to do anything besides generally being obstructionist pieces of shit)

Second Impeachment Of William Jefferson Clinton:
I: For contempt of congress
Article Introduced on January 3, 1999
Passed the House on March 17, 1999 (219-213)
Senate Trial began on March 22, 1999
Senate Trial concluded on March 29, 1999
Acquitted on March 31, 1999 (53-45)

National Health Freedom Act of 1999:
-Repeals the mandate in the Universal Health Coverage Act of 1993 (which would unravel the entire thing)
Proposed on January 3, 1999
Passed the House on June 18, 1999 (223-211)
Passed the Senate on July 30, 1999 (57-43)
Vetoed by President Bill Clinton on July 30, 1999
Override by Senate failed on August 1, 1999 (55-44)

1999 Governor Elections:

D: 34 (+3)
R: 15 (-3)
I: 1 (-)

Gov. Buddy Leach (D-LA), January 10, 2000-January 12, 2004
Gov. Steve Beshear (D-KY), December 10, 1999-December 9, 2003 (NOTE: KY SHOULD BE FLIP)

BILL CLINTON JOB APPROVAL:
January 1999: 69%
February 1999: 68%
March 1999: 73%
April 1999: 75%
May 1999: 70%
June 1999: 71%
July 1999: 70%
August 1999: 69%
September 1999: 67%
October 1999: 70%
November 1999: 70%
December 1999: 68%

 

[theflyingmgoose]

(NOTE: With campaign season, the Republicans do even less than usual)

2000 Democratic Primary:
✓Vice President Al Gore of Tennessee: UNOPPOSED

2000 Republican Primary:
✓Former Secretary Dick Cheney of Texas: 51% of Delegates
Former Justice Antonin Scalia of Maryland: 30% of Delegates
Former Governor George W. Bush of Texas: 10% of Delegates

BILL CLINTON JOB APPROVAL:
January 2000: 65%
February 2000: 63%
March 2000: 62%
April 2000: 64%
May 2000: 65%
June 2000: 65%
July 2000: 67%
August 2000: 66%
September 2000: 68%
October 2000: 64%
November 2000: 63%
December 2000: 69%

 

[theflyingmgoose]

Al Gore/Joe Lieberman (D): 296 EV/ 49.5% PV
Dick Cheney/John McCain (R): 242 EV/ 46.9% PV

BY COUNTY:

 

[theflyingmgoose]

D: 50 (+12)
R: 50 (-12)

Sen. Michael Huffington (R-CA), January 3, 1995-January 3, 2007
Sen. Pat Saiki (R-HI), January 3, 1995-January 3, 2007
Sen. Jan Stoney (R-NE), January 3, 1995-January 3, 2007
Sen. Marshall Coleman (R-VA), January 3, 1995-January 3, 2007
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), January 3, 2001-January 3, 2007
Sen. Richard Neal (D-MA), January 3, 2001-January 3, 2007
Sen. SB Woo (D-DE), January 3, 2001-January 3, 2007
Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM), January 3, 2001-January 3, 2007
Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), January 3, 1987-December 14, 1992; December 14, 1992-January 3, 1995; January 3, 2001-January 3, 2007
Sen. Martin Schreiber (D-WI), January 3, 2001-January 3, 2007
Sen. Walter Mondale (D-MN), December 30, 1964-December 30, 1976; January 3, 2001-January 3, 2007
Sen. John Ashcroft (R-MO), January 3, 1995-January 3, 2007

 

[theflyingmgoose]

R: 221 (-19)
D: 214 (+19)

 

[theflyingmgoose]

D: 37 (+3)
R: 12 (-3)

Gov. Howard Dean (D-VT), August 13, 1991-January 20, 1995; January 18, 1999-January 18, 2003
Gov. Mark O'Keefe (D-MT), January 1, 2001-January 3, 2005
Gov. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), December 15, 2000-December 11, 2004
Gov. Charlotte Pritt (D-WV), January 15, 2001-January 17, 2005

 

[theflyingmgoose]

Tax Reform Act of 2001:
-Cuts the top tax rate from 41.5% to 40.0%
-Introduces a $750 refundable Child Tax Credit per child (maximum of $2,250)
-Increases the carbon tax from $21.49/MT to $30.00/MT
-Slowly increases the carbon tax slowly to $40.00/MT by 2005
-Increases funding for most programs (which have by statue only risen by 1% per year regardless of inflation since a budget hasn't passed since 1994)
Proposed on January 21, 2001
Passed the House on August 1, 2001 (229-202)
Passed the Senate on September 5, 2001 (56-43)
Signed by President Al Gore on September 10, 2001

Environmental Protection Act of 2001:
-Increases the EPA to a cabinet level position
-Renames the EPA to the Department of Environmental Protection
Proposed on June 18, 2001
Passed the House on July 18, 2001 (230-202)
Passed the Senate on September 9, 2001 (55-45)
Signed by President Al Gore on September 10, 2001

Afghanistan Liberation Act of 2001:
-Authorizes the use of military force against Afghanistan
-Authorizes $50 Billion in Marshall Plan-style spending for nation building
Proposed on September 15, 2001
Passed the House on September 18, 2001 (431-2)
Passed the Senate on September 20, 2001 (99-0)
Signed by President Al Gore on September 21, 2001

2001 Gubernatorial Elections:

D: 37 (-)
R: 12 (-)
I: 1 (-)

Gov. Jim McGreevey (D-NJ), January 12, 1998-January 17, 2006

BILL CLINTON JOB APPROVAL:
January 2001: 72%
AL GORE JOB APPROVAL:
January 2001: 70%
February 2001: 67%
March 2001: 62%
April 2001: 60%
May 2001: 59%
June 2001: 57%
July 2001: 57%
August 2001: 55%
September 2001: 85%
October 2001: 80%
November 2001: 78%
December 2001: 77%

 

[theflyingmgoose]

Balanced Budget Act of 2002:
-Requires a 3/5ths majority for authorizing spending that increases the deficit
-Requires CBO analysis of any tax cut proposal
Proposed on November 26, 2001
Passed the House on January 20, 2002 (277-145)
Passed the Senate on February 16, 2002 (81-14)
Signed by President Al Gore on February 19, 2002

Protecting Americans Act of 2002:
-Renews the Assault Weapons Ban for another five years
-Enacts permanent restrictions to the gun show loophole and background checks
Proposed on December 30, 2001
Passed the House on August 4, 2002 (221-213)
Passed the Senate on November 18, 2002 (52-48)
Signed by President Al Gore on November 29, 2002

AL GORE JOB APPROVAL:
January 2002: 74%
February 2002: 72%
March 2002: 70%
April 2002: 69%
May 2002: 66%
June 2002: 67%
July 2002: 65%
August 2002: 67%
September 2002: 65%
October 2002: 64%
November 2002: 64%
December 2002: 63%

 

[theflyingmgoose]

D: 53 (+2)
R: 47 (-2)

Sen. Tom Strickland (D-CO), January 3, 1997-January 3, 2009
Sen. Bill Weld (R-MA), January 3, 1997-January 3, 2009
Sen. Harvey Gantt (D-NC), January 3, 1997-January 3, 2009
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), January 3, 2003-January 3, 2009
Sen. Ron Kirk (D-TX), January 3, 2003-January 3, 2009

 

[theflyingmgoose]

R: 229 (+8)
D: 206 (-8)

 

[theflyingmgoose]

D: 37 (-)
R: 12 (-)
I: 1 (-)

Gov. Don Siegelman (D-AL), January 18, 1999-January 15, 2007
Gov. Tony Knowles (D-AK), December 7, 1998-December 5, 2006
Gov. Jimmie Lou Fisher (D-AR), January 12, 2003-January 10, 2007
Gov. Tom Norton (R-CO), January 8, 2003-January 10, 2007
Gov. Richard Riordan (R-CA), January 7, 2003-January 11, 2007
Gov. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), January 14, 1999-January 14, 2007
Gov. Jeb Bush (R-FL), January 8, 2003-January 7, 2007
Gov. Roy Barnes (D-GA), January 22, 1999-January 19, 2007
Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-IL), January 11, 1999-January 12, 2007
Gov. Melvin Steinberg (D-MD), January 13, 1999-January 15, 2007
Gov. Kerry Healey (R-MA), January 2, 2003-January 4, 2007
Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D-MI), January 1, 1999-January 1, 2007
Gov. Jesse Ventura (I-MN), January 17, 1999-January 14, 2007
Gov. Bill Hoppner (D-NE), January 7, 1999-January 9, 2007
Gov. Dina Titus (D-NV), January 4, 1999-January 6, 2007
Gov. Gary Johnson (R-NM), January 1, 1995-January 1, 1999; January 1, 2003-January 1, 2007
Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D-NY), January 1, 1999-December 31, 2006
Gov. Ted Strickland (D-OH), January 13, 2003-January 10, 2007
Gov. Laura Boyd (D-OK), January 11, 1999-January 10, 2007
Gov. Myrth York (D-RI), January 5, 1999-January 6, 2007
Gov. George W. Bush (R-TX), January 17, 1995-January 19, 1999; January 21, 2003-January 15, 2007
Gov. Howard Dean (D-VT), August 13, 1991-January 20, 1995; January 18, 1999-January 20, 2005

 

[theflyingmgoose]

Bill Clinton (D): January 20, 1993-January 20, 2001
Al Gore (D): January 20, 2001-January 20, 2005
George W. Bush (R): January 20, 2005-January 20, 2009
Barack Obama (D): January 20, 2009-January 20, 2017
John Kasich (R): January 20, 2017-January 20, 2021
Joe Biden (D): January 20, 2021-Present

 

[theflyingmgoose]

PRESIDENT:

John Kerry/Howard Dean (D): 316 EV/ 50.5% PV
George W. Bush/Dick Cheney (R): 222 EV/ 48.4% PV

SENATE:

D: 50
R: 50

DIFFERENT SENATORS:
Sen. Tony Knowles (D-AK), January 3, 2005-January 3, 2011
Sen. Robert Wexler (D-FL), January 3, 2005-January 3, 2011
Sen. Steve Beshear (D-KY), January 3, 2005-January 3, 2011
Sen. John Edwards (D-NC), January 3, 1999-January 3, 2011
Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD), January 3, 1987-January 3, 2011

2004 Alaska Senate Election:
✓Tony Knowles (D): 47.5%
Lisa Murkowski* (R): 47.0%

2004 Florida Senate Election:
✓Robert Wexler (D): 49.9%
Mel Martinez (R): 47.0%

2004 Kentucky Senate Election:
✓Steve Beshear (D): 51.2%
Jim Bunning* (R): 48.7%

2004 North Carolina Senate Election:
✓John Edwards* (D): 49.6%
Richard Burr (R): 48.2%

2004 South Dakota Senate Election:
✓Tom Daschle* (D): 50.4%
John Thune (R): 49.6%

HOUSE:

D: 219 (+13)
R: 216 (-13)

DIFFERENT REPS:
Rep. Stan Matsunaka (D-CO-04), 2005-2007
Rep. Jim Sullivan (D-CT-02), 2005-2007
Rep. Diane Farrell (D-CT-04), 2005-2007
Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-IN-02), 2005-2007
Rep. Jon Jennings (D-IN-08), 2005-2007
Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN-09), 1999-2007
Rep. Nick Clooney (D-KY-04), 2005-2007
Rep. Willie Mount (D-LA-07), 2005-2007
Rep. Patty Wetterling (D-MN-06), 2005-2007
Rep. Richard Romero (D-NM-02), 2005-2007
Rep. Samara Barend (D-NY-29), 2005-2007
Rep. Patsy Keever (D-NC-11), 2005-2007
Rep. Lois Murphy (D-PA-06), 2005-2007
Rep. Patrick Casey (D-PA-10), 2005-2007
Rep. Martin Frost (D-TX-32), 1979-2007
Rep. Dave Ross (D-WA-08), 2005-2007

 

[theflyingmgoose]

JUSTICES:
CJ: Merrick Garland (2005, by Kerry) - Moderate Liberal
AJ: Sandra Day O'Connor (1981, by Reagan) - Conservative
AJ: Antonin Scalia (1986, by Reagan) - Lunatic Conservative
AJ: Anthony Kennedy (1988, by Reagan) - Moderate Conservative
AJ: David Souter (1990, by Bush) - Moderate
AJ: Clarence Thomas (1991, by Bush) - Lunatic Conservative
AJ: Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1993, by Clinton) - Very Liberal
AJ: Stephen Breyer (1994, by Clinton) - Liberal
AJ: Sonia Sotomayor (2006, by Kerry) - Liberal

NOTABLE CASES:
Van Orden v. Perry (2005)
Majority: Souter (Opinion), O'Connor, Ginsburg, Garland, Stevens
Dissent: Scalia (Opinion), Kennedy, Thomas, Breyer
Holding: The display of the Ten Commandments on public property (in this case the Texas State Capitol) constitutes an endorsement of Judeo-Christian values, and thus violates the Establishment Clause.

Garcetti v. Ceballos (2006)
Majority: Stevens (Opinion), Garland, Ginsburg, Breyer, Souter
Dissent: Scalia (Opinion), Kennedy, Thomas, O'Connor
Holding: Official wrongdoings to health and safety of employees that trumps the employers' interest does fall under the free speech clause of the First Amendment.

Hudson v. Michigan (2006)
Majority: Garland (Opinion), Ginsburg, Breyer, Souter, Sotomayor
Dissent: Thomas (Opinion), Kennedy, O'Connor, Scalia
Holding: Violations of the 'knock and announce' rule are a violation of the right against unreasonable searches and seizures. Evidence found under such violations must be suppressed during trial unless waived by the defendant.

Rapanos v. United States (2006)
Majority: Ginsburg (Opinion), Breyer, Garland, Souter, Sotomayor
Dissent: O'Connor (Opinion), Thomas, Kennedy, Scalia
Holding: All wetlands fall under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act as long as they are linked somehow to a navigable body of water.

Kansas v. Marsh (2006)
Majority: Breyer (Opinion), Garland, Souter, Sotomayor, Ginsburg
Dissent: Kennedy (Opinion), Thomas, Scalia, Kennedy
Holding: States are prohibited from imposing the death penalty when the mitigating and aggravating factors are the same

LEGISLATION:

Affordable Care Act of 2005 ('Standard Bill'):
-Protections for pre-existing conditions
-End to lifetime maximums
-Ends all out-of-pocket costs for TRICARE recipients and families

Affordable Care Act of 2005 ('Reconciliation Bill'):
-Expands Medicare to include those under 18
-Introduces state insurances exchanges
-Caps insurer profits at 1.5%
-Allows the government to negotiate prescription drug prices
-Reforms patent law to reduce price gouging

Education Trust Act of 2006:
-$5,000 pay raise for teachers in low-income areas
-$25 Billion school maintenance and expansion funding
-Free school lunches for all students
-$5 Billion per year in additional federal education support

Tax Reform Act of 2006:
-Cancels the 2003 Bush Tax Cuts for high earners
-Establishes insurance tax credits

 

[theflyingmgoose]

SENATE:

D: 52 (+2)
R: 48 (-2)

Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO), November 23, 2002-January 3, 2013
Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT), January 3, 1989-January 3, 2013
Sen. Tom Kean, Jr. (R-NJ), January 3, 2007-January 3, 2013
Sen. George Allen (R-VA), January 3, 2001-January 3, 2013

HOUSE:

R: 232 (+16)
D: 203 (-16)

DIFFERENT REPS:
Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ-05), 1995-2009
Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA-11), 1993-2009
Rep. Stan Matsunaka (D-CO-04), 2005-2009
Rep. Rick O'Donnell (R-CO-07), 2007-2009
Rep. Rob Simmons (R-CT-02), 2001-2005, 2007-2009
Rep. Diane Farrell (D-CT-04), 2005-2009
Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-CT-05), 1983-2009
Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL-16), 1995-2009
Rep. Clay Shaw (R-FL-22), 1981-2009
Rep. Mac Collins (R-GA-08), 2007-2009
Rep. Max Burns (R-GA-12), 2007-2009
Rep. David McSweeney (R-IL-08), 2007-2009
Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-IL-17), 2007-2009
Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-IN-02), 2005-2009
Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN-09), 1999-2009
Rep. Jim Nussle (R-IA-01), 1981-2009
Rep. Jim Leach (R-IA-02), 1977-2009
Rep. Jeff Lamberti (R-IA-03), 2007-2009
Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS-02), 2007-2009
Rep. Anne Northup (R-KY-03), 1997-2009
Rep. Billy Tauzin III (R-LA-03), 2007-2009
Rep. Gil Gutknecht (R-MN-01), 2007-2009
Rep. Steve Palazzo (R-MS-04), 2007-2009
Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-NH-01), 2003-2009
Rep. Charles Bass (R-NH-02), 1995-2009
Rep. Sue Kelly (R-NY-19), 1995-2009
Rep. Ray Meier (R-NY-24), 2007-2009
Rep. Samara Barend (D-NY-29), 2005-2009
Rep. Patsy Keever (D-NC-11), 2005-2009
Rep. Mike Erickson (R-OR-05), 2007-2009
Rep. Melissa Hart (R-PA-04), 2001-2009
Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA-08), 2005-2009
Rep. Patrick Casey (D-PA-10), 2005-2009
Rep. Ralph Norman (D-SC-05), 2007-2009
Rep. Van Taylor (R-TX-17), 2007-2009
Rep. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs (R-TX-22), 2006-2009
Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-TX-23), 2007-2009
Rep. Willie Baden (R-TX-27), 2007-2009
Rep. Martin Frost (D-TX-32), 1979-2009
Rep. LaVar Christensen (R-UT-02), 2007-2009
Rep. Martha Rainville (R-VT-AL), 2007-2009
Rep. Dave Ross (D-WA-08), 2005-2009

GUBERNATORIAL:

R: 32 (+4)
D: 18 (-4)

Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-AR), January 9, 2007-January 14, 2011
Gov. Bob Beauprez (R-CO), January 9, 2007-January 11, 2011
Gov. Judy Baar Topinka (R-IL), January 14, 2007-January 10, 2011
Gov. Bob Vander Plaats (R-IA), January 12, 2007-January 14, 2011
Gov. Paul LePage (R-ME), January 4, 2007-January 6, 2011
Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R-MD), January 15, 2003-January 17, 2011
Gov. Kerry Healey (R-MA), January 5, 2007-January 5, 2011
Gov. Dick DeVos (R-MI), January 1, 2007-January 1, 2011
Gov. Ron Saxton (R-OR), January 13, 2007-January 13, 2011
Gov. Mark Green (R-WI), January 2, 2007-January 5, 2011

 

[theflyingmgoose]

JUSTICES:
CJ: Merrick Garland (2005, by Kerry) - Moderate Liberal
AJ: Antonin Scalia (1986, by Reagan) - Lunatic Conservative
AJ: Anthony Kennedy (1988, by Reagan) - Moderate Conservative
AJ: Clarence Thomas (1991, by Bush) - Lunatic Conservative
AJ: Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1993, by Clinton) - Very Liberal
AJ: Stephen Breyer (1994, by Clinton) - Liberal
AJ: Sonia Sotomayor (2006, by Kerry) - Liberal
AJ: Elena Kagan (2008, by Kerry) - Liberal
AJ: Brian Sandoval (2008, by Kerry) - Moderate Conservative

NOTABLE CASES:
James v. United States (2007)
Holding: Attempted burglary is not a predicate felony under the Armed Career Criminal Act

Uttect v. Brown (2007)
Holding: Views opposing the death penalty does not prevent someone from serving on a jury in a capital case.

Bowles v. Russell (2007)
Holding: Federal appellate courts can hear appeals that are filed late if a lower court grants the petitioner extra time to file

Morse v. Frederick (2007)
Holding: Schools can not interfere or punish those involved in pro-drug advocacy or any non-violent advocacy off school grounds or outside of school hours.

FEC v. Wisconsin Right To Life (2008)
Holding: The entirety of Section 203 of the Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002 is constitutional. No exceptions to the 'blackout rule' exist unless legislated by Congress.

Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation (2008)
Holding: The government may not direct funding to faith-based organizations by executive action. Citizens do not, however, have the right to challenge the constitutionality of such expenditures if approved by Congress.

NAHB v. EPA (2008)
Holding: The Endangered Species Act takes precedence over various provisions under the Clean Water Act.

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)
Holding: The D.C. firearms law is constitutional. Individuals have the right to own guns but states have the authority to impose heavy restrictions on buying them.

Medellin v. Texas (2008)
Holding: Duly-ratified treaties are- unless infringing on a constitutional right- binding federal law.

Crawford v. Marion County Election Board (2008)
Holding: Photo ID laws are inherently unconstitutional as they impose an undue burden on vulnerable voters.

United States v. Rodriquez (2008)
Holding: A conviction for a crime not considered 'grave' by the jurisdiction where the crime occurred can not fall under the ACCA.

United States v. Alabama (2008)
Holding: The death penalty may only apply to those who directly killed someone.

LEGISLATION:

American Wage Act of 2007:
-Increases the minimum wage to $7.25 by 2008, $8.05 by 2009, and $8.55 by 2010.

Economic Relief Act of 2008:
-Authorizes $275 Billion in bailouts to prevent economic collapse.