Questions tagged [united-states]
Questions relating to the government or the politics of the United States of America
4,397
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Can the US President increase Toilet Paper supplies?
I saw a recent news article about President Trump, forcing car makers to make ventilators.
In the US there also a significant shortage of toilet paper, which seem to be a supply and demand problem. ...
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1answer
67 views
What flipped the general court in New Hampshire in 2018 from Republican to Democrat? [closed]
In 2018 Democrats took control of the New Hampshire General Court (the state legislature) in a big shift. Previously the Republicans had controlled the Court with a 14-10 majority in the Senate and a ...
13
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1answer
1k views
Does the US President have the power to quarantine a state or other locality?
On Saturday, March 28th, President Trump told reporters that he was "considering imposing a quarantine on New York state". He later tweeted that he was giving consideration to a quarantine of "hot ...
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FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) contrasted with FDA approval
The President and (some) media repeatedly report that "the FDA has approved...." when in fact the FDA has NOT approved something.
Case in point: The President and the WH task force announced the "...
21
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4answers
5k views
How has the handling of the coronavirus outbreak (CoViD-19) affected Donald Trump's approval ratings?
From the outside it appears that the coronavirus (CoViD-19) outbreak has caught the USA off guard and that it's been handled quite poorly to date. So my assumption is that this would have a negative ...
4
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1answer
131 views
How common is it for US voters to vote for the same one of the two major parties 100% of the time?
Ever since I was about 13, I have felt a strong allegiance to the Democratic Party. I am just using that as an example (if you feel the opposite way, that’s fine with me but if you do this we would ...
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23 views
US Pre-1987 Visa Issue Data?
I can see a count of nonimmigrant visas issued by classification on the Dept. of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website going back as far as 1987, but the H-1 visa was established in 1952.
Does ...
36
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3answers
8k views
During the COVID-19 pandemic, why is it claimed that the US President is making a trade-off of human lives for the economy?
This question posted recently makes a lot of assumptions, including
the US President is currently making a trade-off of human lives for the economy
or
Trump's pro-economy death-permissive ...
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0answers
56 views
How do world leaders' approval ratings tend to behave during crises? [closed]
I heard that even if presidents/PMs handle crises in their countries fairly well, their approval ratings (approval ratings of their parties) tend to go down. However, I look at what Trump's rating ...
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1answer
912 views
How have US pro-life groups responded to Trump's COVID-19 crisis response, given that it could permit more deaths?
I would expect US pro-life groups to simultaneously support Trump (as they're typically right-leaning), yet simultaneously strongly against his death-permissive approach to bolster the economy during ...
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1answer
249 views
Are there any surveys in the US on whether “preserving the American way” is worth the risk of sacrificing their elderly to COVID-19?
CNBC reported that:
[Dan] Patrick, the Texas lieutenant governor, said Monday on Fox News, “As a senior citizen, are you willing to take a chance on your survival in exchange for keeping the ...
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3answers
153 views
What determines whether the US House votes by voice, roll call, or unanimous consent?
This question is in reference to Rep. Thomas Massie's threat to force a roll call vote for the CARES act.
My understanding is that the House wants to go by unanimous consent, and Massie shot it down ...
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1answer
81 views
What criteria does the Senate use to decide whether or not a particular event is a genocide?
In 2019, US Senate officially recognized genocide of Armenians as a matter of foreign policy.
Is there a formal set of criteria (such as the article 2 of the UN Convention on the Prevention and ...
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65 views
Is there any evidence that Brian Kemp “stole” the gubernatorial election in Georgia?
Brian Kemp has been accused by many of "stealing" the 2018 gubernatorial election in Georgia by purging the rolls of those less likely to support him. Is there any strong evidence for this?
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1answer
1k views
How could Bernie Sanders stall the $2tn economic rescue package?
I'm finding it hard to grasp the current status of the $2 trillion stimulus bill because news about the approval process frequently seem to contradict each other.
As far as I'm aware, Bernie Sanders ...
25
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1answer
3k views
What are the objections to Pelosi's COVID-19 Bill?
Subsequent to the Democrats blocking the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in the US Senate on Sunday, March 22nd, in a 47-47 vote that was split along party lines, Nancy ...
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1answer
80 views
What is the current paid leave system in the United States given the COVID-19 outbreak?
The US has enacted law H.R.6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act which seems to mainly tackle elementary/secondary students' food availability, but also expanded FMLA among other things. I've ...
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3answers
4k views
Will you have to prove US citizenship to receive the COVID-19 bailout money?
As we know that US government announced $2T Covid-19 stimulus package on March 24. It includes a payout of $1200 to all taxpayers.
Who are the individuals who will get that benefit? Is it all US ...
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2answers
144 views
What non-public information could Senator Burr have obtained when he decided to sell his stock? [closed]
Senator Burr is currently being accused of using insider information to sell his stock in advance of the coronavirus epidemic:
Burr had been receiving daily coronavirus updates from the ...
5
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4answers
311 views
Can the Chinese or S Korean COVID approaches be implemented in the US (or Europe)?
The "Daily" NY Times podcast for 3/12/20 described two effective management schemes for handling the epidemic. Briefly:
Chinese: Check everyone's temperature frequently on a massive scale. Track ...
0
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2answers
210 views
If all but one Congressman are killed, does a new Congress have be chosen? [duplicate]
If (as in the show “Designated Survivor,”) all Congressman but one are killed, would it be possible (in the US Constitution) for actions of Congress to be taken by the sole remaining Congressman?
...
11
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1answer
210 views
Why does the Senate Majority leader often vote against their own bills? [duplicate]
In the US Senate on Sunday, March 22nd, passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was blocked in a 47-47 vote. The vote was generally along party lines, with one ...
24
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2answers
6k views
How much of the US media referred to the COVID-19 as the “Wuhan Virus” until it received an official designation from the WHO?
It has been claimed in a fairly upvoted answer here (which is why this not a notable-enough claim for Skeptics SE) that
For a fun exercise, put a news organization into google's search along with "...
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1answer
208 views
Why does the USA offer help to combat the coronavirus to Iran and North Korea if Italy is hit worse? [closed]
It seems Iran has turned down the offer but why Italy is helped only by China, Cuba and Russia, and not Germany or the USA?
60
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5answers
12k views
What are the objections to Mitch McConnell's COVID-19 Bill?
In the US Senate on Sunday, March 22nd, Democrats blocked the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in a 47-47 vote that was split along party lines. McConnell indicated that he ...
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0answers
126 views
Is it likely that President Trump will have to push for a huge tax increase in the future to pay for these economic stimulus packages? [closed]
I am wondering if President Trump, or the next POTUS, will most likely have to push for a huge tax increase on all Americans and/or American businesses in order to pay off the trillions of dollars ...
11
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2answers
682 views
How did the US administration usually refer to COVID-19 before the Chinese foreign ministry started claiming the virus is of US origin?
It's been recently reported that Trump's administration (Trump himself, but also Pompeo) has been referring to COVID-19 as "China virus" or "Wuhan coronavirus" etc., emphasizing the Chinese origin of ...
100
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9answers
17k views
Why is Trump dubbing COVID-19 as the “Chinese virus” considered offensive, while many past epidemics have had similar naming schemes?
To preface this, I'm not a supporter of Trump, but I disagree with the way some major media outlets have criticized him over his nickname for COVID-19, the "Chinese virus". In addition, it is not ...
5
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3answers
207 views
Are the number of COVID-19 testing being reported to some central agency?
While watching the 3/20/2020 Presidential & COVID19 Task Force press conference there was a lot of questions and answers about the access, availability of COVID-19 testing. Unfortunately many of ...
5
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1answer
172 views
When was the last time the Canada–US border closed to visitors?
Multiple sources have reported that Canada and the United States have announced that the Canada–United States border is about to close to non-essential travel in an effort to reduce the spread of ...
5
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2answers
137 views
Does the FDA regulate off-label use of pharmaceuticals?
In today's press conference (3/19/2020) the President is touting the FDA's approval of using (for example) an anti-malarial as a treatment for COVID-19. This drug has been in widespread use and has ...
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3answers
84 views
Could the president push a bailout for industries affected by a disaster without congressional support?
There's a lot of talk lately about bailout packages being offered to airlines and other affected industries. Assuming that the president was in support of a bailout and was willing to do whatever was ...
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1answer
139 views
Would it be political suicide to suggest reducing Social Security payments to help fund economic stimulus packages? [closed]
I am wondering if it may be tempting for President Trump, or the Democrat presidential candidates, or members of Congress to suggest temporarily reducing Social Security payments in order to help free ...
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1answer
136 views
Why do states postpone their primary elections to after June 9th, 2020 even if it violates DNC rules?
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) mandates that states have to hold their primary elections before June 9th, 2020, according to Rule 12 of the Delegate Selection Rules.
The Delegate Selection ...
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1answer
94 views
Is it correct that in the state of Ohio, USA the governor can demand the legislature meet for an emergency session?
As I was following all the drama of the Ohio election suspension yesterday, there were several articles about the initial lawsuit supported by the government. Many of these articles have already been ...
58
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6answers
6k views
What are the implications of the EARN IT Act?
On the face of it, the EARN IT Act of 2020 appears to be a bill to protect against online exploitation of children by creating a National Commission for that purpose. However, the Electronic Frontier ...
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0answers
129 views
Is the US unique in having inaccurate polls versus actual voting results? [closed]
I've read a rather strange non-mainstream source. Along with it, I've found this tweet - also about the last Democratic party primary.
If they are not fakes, then it is really interesting - as long ...
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2answers
283 views
Is there a specific etiquette officials are following in this picture? [closed]
I was watching President Trump's white house daily briefing for Coronavirus and I see officials standing too close to each other which is a different issue. But one thing I am wondering is everyone ...
35
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3answers
5k views
How does lobbying work in the US?
I don't understand why would federal officials or congresspersons in the US succumb to lobbyists' requests unless they have skin in the game. How do lobbyists, I mean legal ones, persuade legislators ...
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1answer
785 views
Can the US House and Senate make allowance for self-quarantined members to vote remotely?
Can the US House and Senate make allowance for self-quarantined members to vote remotely?
Is the requirement that a member be in chamber in the constitution or law - or is it part of the senate or ...
31
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5answers
8k views
Are there oligarchs in Western countries?
Why do I see the term 'oligarch' almost exclusively applied to Eastern European countries? Are there oligarchs in the European Union, the United States? As I understand it, an oligarch is a wealthy ...
22
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1answer
5k views
Are nations required to allow their own citizens entry under international law?
The motivation for this question is the recent US travel ban on foreigners entering the country from Schengen area countries, which is due to expand to include the UK and Ireland on Tuesday, and the ...
0
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1answer
106 views
Can US Presidential and Congressional elections be postponed in a case of emergency? [duplicate]
Currently several states are postponing Presidential primaries and in theory Presidential/Congress elections might need to be postponed as well if the epidemic persists.
Is there a contingency plan ...
54
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5answers
11k views
Why is the US so religious compared to other Western democracies?
According to the Pew Research Center, around 88% of Americans had at least some belief in a God, with around 63% being "absolutely certain" of this. This is in stark contrast to other comparable ...
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0answers
113 views
What would happen if Biden died before becoming the nominee? [duplicate]
Let me preface this by saying that I hope Joe Biden doesn't die for any reason.
Currently, 538's 2020 Democratic Primary forecast has >99% odds that Biden wins more than half of pledge delegates.
...
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1answer
717 views
What are the details of the Federal Reserve's $1.5 trillion injection?
According to the Wall Street Journal, in order to attempt to slow the economic contraction caused by the Covid-19 virus, the Federal Reserve has promised to inject $1.5 trillion into the economy, by
...
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1answer
95 views
What's the political process for implementing mandatory screening of flight passengers for known infectious diseases?
After 9/11 people and their belonging must be checked as many items are prohibited.
Now, after SARS-CoV-2019, should we start screening all passengers for known diseases to prevent outbreaks like ...
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4answers
522 views
Did Russia actually change the outcome of the 2016 presidential election in the US?
Before you press the "close" button, hear me out. My question is: was there a non-partisan assessment as to whether Russia's influence campaign not just helped Trump get elected but made his ...
4
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1answer
418 views
Are de facto Schengen countries exempt from the Covid-19 US travel ban?
President Trump's presidential proclamation specifically defines the countries affected by the ban as the 26 signatories to the Schengen Treaty:
For purposes of this proclamation, the Schengen Area ...
28
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1answer
6k views
Why are non-Schengen countries excluded from the Covid-19 US travel ban?
The US government suspended travel from Europe to US, except for countries which are not in the Schengen area such as the UK and Ireland.
Many comments from EU leader seem to assume that this is a ...
