Why the Government Shutdown Is (Likely) Ending
The federal government is on track to reopen after a 41-day standoff that became the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The impasse began at midnight on October 1, 2025, and…
Why Americans Keep Re-electing Congresspeople They Dislike
Voters are unhappy with their government. This anti-incumbency sentiment, defined as a desire to vote out officeholders, is a constant in U.S. elections. Polling frequently captures deep dissatisfaction with the…
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Most Read This Week
Understanding Your Passport Costs: A Clear Guide to Fees
Getting a U.S. passport is your ticket to international travel, but understanding the associated costs…
USPS Package Size Limits (2025 Guide)
Whether you're shipping products nationwide as a small business owner or sending gifts to loved…
Understanding the Social Security Earnings Limit
You can receive Social Security retirement or survivor benefits while still employed. However, if you…
Explainers
Why the FAA Ordered a 10% Flight Reduction
On November 5, 2025, the Trump administration announced it was taking the "extraordinary step" of mandating a 10% reduction in…
How Congress Funds the Federal Government
The United States Constitution grants Congress the "power of the purse": "No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but…
How Federal Reserve Bank Supervisors Protect the U.S. Financial System
While the bank supervision staff of the Federal Reserve rarely makes headlines, their daily efforts are a cornerstone of economic…
Analyses
Does the Economy Always Decide Elections?
"It's the economy, stupid!" James Carville's famous phrase from Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign became an iron law of American politics.…
Can the Trump Administration Use Federal Websites to Blame Democrats for 2025 Shutdown?
During the October 2025 federal government shutdown, Americans visiting official government websites for essential information saw something unusual. Instead of…
Biden’s Autopen Use Sparks Constitutional Fight Over Presidential Authority
For over 70 years, the presidential autopen has operated quietly in the White House. The machine uses a real pen…
Rights and Freedoms
A History of Unemployment Benefits in the United States
Unemployment Insurance is a key part of America's social safety net. This federal-state partnership provides temporary, partial wage replacement to…
How to Contact the U.S. Department of Labor [2025]
The U.S. Department of Labor protects the welfare of America's workforce by administering and enforcing more than 180 federal laws…
How to Contact the Social Security Administration [2025]
The Social Security Administration serves nearly 69 million Americans monthly, providing retirement, disability, and survivor benefits funded by payroll taxes…
National Debates
Should the Government Shutdown Threaten Food Benefits for 42 Million Americans?
The federal government entered a shutdown on October 1, 2025, after Congress missed its September 30 deadline to pass new…
Debating the Supreme Court Shadow Docket: Fast Rulings, Little Explanation, Big Consequences
The Supreme Court has two ways of doing business. Most Americans know the first: the merits docket. This is where…
The Debate Over Trump’s Proposed $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
On September 19, 2025, the Trump administration signed a presidential proclamation that imposed a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa…
The Case for Ending Quarterly Earnings Reports
For more than 50 years, quarterly earnings reports have set the rhythm of American capitalism. Every 90 days, publicly traded…
Trending Federal Guidance
USPS Media Mail Rules and Restrictions
Media Mail is an economy shipping service provided by the USPS specifically for sending media items. Its primary purpose is rooted in supporting the dissemination of educational and cultural resources…
Step-by-Step Guide for Applying for Social Security Benefits
Navigating Social Security benefits doesn't have to be complicated. This guide breaks down the application…
Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Employees: Understanding Your Rights Under the FLSA
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the cornerstone of federal wage and hour law…
How to Get a USPS Money Order: Fees, Limits, and Locations
Sometimes the most reliable solutions are those with a long-standing history. The United States Postal…
USPS OIG: Who Polices the Postal Service?
The United States Postal Service (USPS) handles billions of pieces of mail and packages each…
Other Top Federal Guidance
How to Get a USPS P.O. Box: Sizes, Costs, and Steps
For individuals and small business owners seeking a reliable and secure way to manage their mail, the United States Postal…
USPS Tracking Decoder: What Your Status Means
Shipping a package or waiting for a delivery can sometimes feel like a mystery—especially if you're not sure how to…
How Long Do USPS Claims Take? Processing Times
According to the USPS, decisions on claims are typically sent within 5 to 10 days. This timeframe serves as an…
Who Can See Your New Address: Privacy Risks of the National Change of Address Database
When you file a change of address form with the U.S. Postal Service, you're entering personal information into a vast…
Maximizing Tax Deductions with Charitable Contributions
Understanding Charitable Contributions in the US Tax System Not all donations qualify for tax deductions. The IRS has specific rules…
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Trump Demands End to Senate Filibuster as Government Shutdown Drags On
President Donald Trump wrote his party's leaders in the Senate: "It is now time for the Republicans to play their 'TRUMP CARD,'" he wrote, "and go for what is called…
IRS Shares Taxpayer Data with ICE Under Trump Administration Agreement
The Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have long operated in separate spheres. The IRS collects taxes. ICE enforces immigration law. The IRS falls under the Department…
Federal Workers Caught in Shutdown: Why America’s Largest Government Union Demanded Action
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the nation's largest union representing 820,000 federal and D.C. government workers, has issued public demands for lawmakers to end the crisis. AFGE National…
How to Donate to the U.S. Government: Rules and Requirements
Governments fund operations primarily through taxes, but they can accept voluntary donations. This comes with significant restrictions. Federal, state, and local rules governing donations exist to prevent corruption and undue…
Financial Assistance for Federal Employees During the 2025 Government Shutdown
The financial and professional lives of millions of federal workers have been thrown into uncertainty. Understanding the shutdown mechanics, your specific employment status, and the situation surrounding your pay is…
Types of U.S. Federal Agencies: How the Executive Branch Is Organized
To many Americans, the federal government is just an "alphabet soup" of agencies. We hear about the FBI, EPA, NASA, and USPS, but understanding how they fit into the larger…
Trump’s White House Ballroom: How Construction Bypassed Federal Oversight
The White House is the seat of executive power and one of the nation's most secure facilities. Its physical form has evolved over two centuries, marked by fires, reconstructions, and…
Is the US on a War Footing with Venezuela?
In October 2025, the long-simmering tensions between the United States and Venezuela escalated dramatically, pushing the two nations to the brink of open conflict. The crisis reached a fever pitch…
Do Presidential Debates Change Elections? What the Evidence Shows
Every four years, the American political landscape braces for its marquee event: the presidential debate. The news media often frames these encounters as a high-stakes national spectacle with the power…
About the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF)
In the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution that would fundamentally reshape American foreign policy and military engagement for a generation.…
John Bolton Indicted: Former National Security Advisor Charged with Mishandling Classified Information
In a move that sent shockwaves through the American political landscape, a federal grand jury in Maryland on October 16, 2025, indicted John Bolton, the former National Security Advisor to…