Ian’s Legal Fact of the Week 11/26/18: The District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment

The last amendment sent to the states for ratification was the District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment, a failed amendment that would have given D.C. full representation in Congress, in the Electoral College, and in the Constitutional amendment process. It was … Continue reading

Ian’s Legal Fact of the Week 11/19/18: Presidential Pardons

The President is given the pardon power under Article II, section 2 of the Constitution, which states that the President “shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment”. Presidential pardons are … Continue reading

Ian’s Legal Fact of the Week 11/12/18: Size of the Supreme Court

As the Constitution does not specify the size of the Supreme Court, Congress has the authority to do so. The Judiciary Act of 1789 set the number at 6 justices, although it has ranged from a low of 5 (in … Continue reading

Ian’s Legal Fact of the Week 11/5/18: Female Suffrage

The 19th amendment to the Constitution, which granted women the right to vote, was originally introduced in Congress in 1878 but was rejected by the Senate. It was reintroduced in 1918 but failed. It was approved by both houses of Congress in 1919 … Continue reading