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Policy Archive

Archives for February 2019

Politics
Pramila Jayapal thinks we can get to Medicare-for-all fastPramila Jayapal thinks we can get to Medicare-for-all fast
Politics

The co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus has an ambitious plan for government-run health care.

By Sarah Kliff
Explainers
What a Republican fight over Brett Kavanaugh’s replacement says about the abortion debate todayWhat a Republican fight over Brett Kavanaugh’s replacement says about the abortion debate today
Explainers

Neomi Rao oversaw anti-abortion policies for the Trump administration. But one Republican senator wasn’t sure she was anti-abortion enough.

By Anna North
Politics
After increases in 2015 and 2016, America’s violent crime rate seems to be back on the declineAfter increases in 2015 and 2016, America’s violent crime rate seems to be back on the decline
Politics

A new FBI report has some good news on crime.

By German Lopez
Future Perfect
Congress asked top experts for a plan to cut child poverty in half. Here it is.Congress asked top experts for a plan to cut child poverty in half. Here it is.
Future Perfect

The most important report on child poverty in years is finally out.

By Dylan Matthews
Technology
Visa approvals for tech workers are on the decline. That won’t just hurt Silicon Valley.Visa approvals for tech workers are on the decline. That won’t just hurt Silicon Valley.
Technology

More tech work could head overseas as the US allows fewer tech workers into the country.

By Rani Molla
Politics
The House just passed what could be the biggest change to federal gun laws in decadesThe House just passed what could be the biggest change to federal gun laws in decades
Politics

The research, however, suggests that Congress should go even bigger.

By German Lopez
Politics
The US launched a cyberattack on a Russian troll factory during the 2018 midtermsThe US launched a cyberattack on a Russian troll factory during the 2018 midterms
Politics

The Washington Post reports that the US blocked internet access to Russian trolls trying to spread misinformation during the election.

By Jen Kirby
Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s new Medicare-for-all bill, explained
Politics

It’s the most ambitious plan for government-run health care yet.

By Sarah Kliff
Mischiefs of Faction
Will evangelical legislators go along with the rightist agenda of Brazil’s Bolsonaro?Will evangelical legislators go along with the rightist agenda of Brazil’s Bolsonaro?
Mischiefs of Faction

Despite the sharp right turn in Brazilian politics, evangelical legislators remain a question mark.

By Amy Erica Smith
Congress is grilling pharma CEOs. Here are 8 ideas for bringing down drug prices.
Politics

All of Congress’s ideas for bringing down prescription drug prices, explained.

By Dylan Scott
Culture
Is capitalism worth saving?Is capitalism worth saving?
Culture

A debate with economics writer Steven Pearlstein.

By Sean Illing
Science
A new study shows America’s drug overdose crisis is by far the worst among wealthy countriesA new study shows America’s drug overdose crisis is by far the worst among wealthy countries
Science

The opioid epidemic has made America an outlier among wealthy nations when it comes to drug overdoses.

By German Lopez
The best $6,160 I ever spent: a US work visa
Money

I needed to prove that I was an “alien of extraordinary ability” — a relatively daunting task, to say the least.

By Karen K. Ho
Technology
Elon Musk is in Twitter trouble yet againElon Musk is in Twitter trouble yet again
Technology

And the SEC isn’t playing around.

By Theodore Schleifer
Amy Klobuchar’s record as a “tough on crime” prosecutor, explained
Politics

Amy Klobuchar went after low-level, nonviolent crimes as a prosecutor. Now she wants to be president.

By German Lopez