Acts 1
Civil Rights Act of 1964
-bans discrimination in public places on basis of race, origin, or religion
-prohibits employment discrimination
-allows employers to give racial preferences in hiring
-required federal contractors to adopt affirmative action programs
-allowed class actions suits
-enforced by EEOC
Voting Rights Act of 1965
-suspended literacy tests
-empowered federal officials to register voters
-empowered federal officials to ensure that citizens could vote
-empowered federal officials to count ballots
-prohibited states from changing voting procedures without federal permission
War Powers Act, 1973
President can send troops overseas to an area where hostilities were imminent only if:
-he notified Congress within 48 hours
-he withdrew troops within 60-90 days
-he consulted with Congress if troops were to engage in combat
Congress can pass resolution to have troops withdrawn at any time.
No Child Left Behind Act, 2001
-States must adopt education accountability standards.
-States must annually test students
-Sanctions against schools that fail to meet adequate yearly progress
Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990
-bans job discrimination against disabled if “reasonable accommodation” can be made.
-requires access to facilities for handicapped.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 1967
- bans age discrimination for jobs unless age is related to job performance.
Air Quality Act, 1967 (and various Clean Air Acts, 1960s—1990s)
- established emissions standards for cars and factories.
Title IX of Education Act of 1972
- prohibited gender discrimination in federally subsidized education programs.
Freedom of Information Act, 1974
- allows public access to non-classified federal documents.
Federal Election Campaign Acts, 1971-1974
- created FEC
- required disclosure of contributions and expenditures
- provided limitations on contributions and presidential election expenditures
-provided subsidies for presidential candidates
National Voter Registration Bill (Motor Voter Act) 1993
-requires states to allo people to register to vote when applying for driver’s licenses applications or completing license renewal forms.
Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Bill, 1985
-set gradual budget reduction targets to lead to a balanced budget.
-across the board budget cuts (sequestering of funds) to kick in if targets not met.
-loopholes > abandonment in late 80s
Budget and Impoundment Control Act, 1974
-established congressional budget committees
-established the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
-extended budget process by three months
-allows either house to override temporary impoundment (deferral)
-automatically voids permanent impoundment (rescission) unless both houses approve within 45 days
Religious Freedom Restoration Act, 1993
-restored compelling purpose guideline for courts to use when states restrict religious liberty. Struck down in Boerne v Flores by Supreme Court.
Unfounded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
-requires CBO to analyze impact of unfunded mandates on states.
-requires separate congressional vote on bills that impose unfunded mandates.
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (Welfare Reform Act of 1996)
-ended federal entitlement status of welfare.
-in its place, federal govt gave block grants to states to administer welfare
-“strings” attached to these grants:
1. Recipients must work within 2 years
2. Recipients cannot receive benefits for more than 5 years
Communications Decency Act (CDA), 1997
-prohibited circulation of “indecent” material on internet to minors. Struck down by Supreme Court.
USA Patriot Act, 2001
-strengthens the federal government’s power to conduct surveillance, perform searches, and detain individuals in order to combat terrorism.
McCain-Reinhold Bill (Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002)
-raised hard money limits to $2000
-banned soft money contributions to national political parties