Senate Dems ‘pushing to follow suit’ after House passes bill to block any future Schedule F

The Preventing a Patronage System Act cleared the full House in a vote of 225-204, showcasing an effort to prevent the possible return of the Trump-era Schedule F executive order. The bill would prohibit future White House administrations from creating any new federal job classification without congressional approval, but the timing on the Senate’s version of the legislation remains uncertain. Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), introduced a companion bill in August and applauded the passage of the bill in the House on Sept. 15. The lawmakers added…

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What Comes After the Search Warrant?

If Donald Trump committed crimes on his way out of the White House, he should be subject to the same treatment as any other alleged criminal. The reason for this is simple: Ours is a government of laws, not of men, as John Adams once observed. Nobody, not even a president, is above those laws. So why did I feel nauseous yesterday, watching coverage of the FBI executing a search warrant at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate? Because this country is tracking toward a scale of political violence not seen since the…

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Reporters assail White House for shielding Biden’s doctor from questions after COVID test

Reporters slammed the White House Thursday for not making President Biden’s doctor available to answer media questions about his positive COVID-19 test, with one journalist saying it was “the least transparency” of any White House in 50 years. The Washington Times stories: White House

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What Comes After Roe?

The Atlantic’s executive editor, Adrienne LaFrance, discusses a post-Roe America with two contributing writers. The legal historian Mary Ziegler and the constitutional-law scholar David French answer questions about what happens now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned. How will abortion bans be enforced? What will come of the legal and legislative battle moving to the states? And what other rights could the Supreme Court revoke? Listen and subscribe to Radio Atlantic: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher The following conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity: Adrienne LaFrance:…

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IRS walks away from facial recognition to access online tools after backlash

The IRS will transition away from using facial recognition technology to help taxpayers create online accounts with the agency. The IRS announced Monday that it will “quickly develop and bring online an additional authentication process that does not involve facial recognition,” in order for taxpayers to access self-help services on the agency’s website. “The IRS will also continue to work with its cross-government partners to develop authentication methods that protect taxpayer data and ensure broad access to online tools,” the agency said in a statement. The IRS changed course after…

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