US Social Issues
includes education, immigration, housing/cost of living, technology, environment, health, etc. anything you’d find in a social issues round.
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From Fringe to Frontline: The Rise of Democratic Socialism in U.S. Politics
Democratic socialist candidates continue to become frontrunners in political races across the United States. With the likes of Bernie Sanders, Zohran Mamdani, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) fighting for a democratic socialist agenda, it is crucial to examine the propulsion of democratic socialism into the mainstream…
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The Housing Affordability Crisis: Why Can’t America Build Enough Homes
The American housing shortage has become a large scale problem across the nation. With reports indicating the shortfall at over 10 million single-family homes, it is clear is that construction has not kept pace with population growth and household formation.
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The Baby Bust: Why Gen Z Isn’t Having Kids And What This Means for America’s Future
Driven by economic anxiety, a genuine retreat from dating and sex, and a social media-soaked culture, Americans have found themselves with a demographic problem. Birth rates have been declining and it is essential to understand where America is headed.
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Beyond the Premium Shock: The Fallout of ACA Subsidy Losses
The Affordable Care Act, known as “Obamacare,” was a U.S. healthcare reform law passed in March of 2010, which sought to expand healthcare insurance. Expiring at the end of 2025, millions of Americans are seeing soaring premiums.
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AI’s Thirst and the American City
Over 70% of new AI data center projects since 2022 were built or proposed in communities that faced severe water stress. With the rise of AI technology, companies are chasing cheap land, tax breaks, and proximity to power grids.
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Watson v. Republican National Committee: A Landmark Upholding of Voter Laws
In the Watson v. Republican National Committee that resulted in a 5-4 decision, the Republican Party’s attempt to nullify the five-day grace period for accepting ballots in Mississippi was rejected. This close decision reflects the controversy that voter laws face.
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Strong Jobs Report Signals a Resilient US Economy
On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicated that the United States economy may be strengthening as 172,000 jobs had been added in May 2026, which signals the third straight month of growth.
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From Afterthought to Frontrunner: Xavier Becerra’s Political Ascent
As of June 4th, Xavier Becerra—a Democrat once dismissed as an afterthought—will advance to the general election in the California gubernatorial race.
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Building Bridges for American Infrastructure
The BUILD America 250 Act would provide $580 billion in investment for American infrastructure over the next five years, being the largest-ever investment into American bridges since the Interstate Highway System’s creation in 1956.
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Electricity Costs Continue to Rise for U.S. Consumers, Here’s Why
As electricity costs increase and American households struggle to keep up, policymakers have explored multiple reforms to address global conflicts, local policies, and the structure of energy corporations.
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The Late Show’s Last Act
Since 1993, the CBS News network has hosted The Late Show, originally with David Letterman. After 11 years of comedy and satire, Stephen Colbert gave his final show on May 21, 2026, after CBS chose to cancel The Late Show.
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Elon Musk Loses OpenAI Lawsuit
On May 18, Elon Musk lost his lawsuit against OpenAI, marking a major turning point in the debate over AI governance and dealing a significant blow to his effort to reshape the company’s direction.
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Inside Trump’s $1.8 Billion DOJ Payout Fund
The Donald Trump administration’s Department of Justice announced the creation of a nearly $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” (often rounded to $1.8 billion). The fund is designed to compensate people who claim they were unfairly targeted.
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The Complex Picture of Chip Smuggling
Unfortunately for China hawks in the U.S. government, China’s demand for AI chips has been so high that the chip smuggling industry thrived in 2026. Recent DOJ investigations reveal the nature of some of these schemes.
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Trump’s Summer Surge: National Guard to Bolster D.C. Presence
The President has ordered troops to major cities around the nation in his attempt to “crack down on crime.” One of the cities that has received the most attention in this regard is the President’s own backyard: Washington, D.C.
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Iran’s War Shakes the U.S. Housing Market
For the second week in a row, borrowing costs for American homebuyers have climbed, and experts say relief is not coming anytime soon. The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage climbed to 6.37% this week.
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Trump’s “Investment” in the Future of IRAs
On April 30, 2026, Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at closing the retirement coverage gap for almost 50 million Americans. It targets independent contractors, gig workers, and employees of small businesses who lack the traditional employer.
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Supreme Court Weakens Voting Rights Act in Landmark Decision
The Court struck down Louisiana’s Congressional map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. The case concerned Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, a monumental piece of legislation signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965.
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Shooting Shuts Down White House Correspondents Dinner
On Saturday evening, a gunman fired shots at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, leading to prompt evacuations, questions over security and further marketing. This dinner was notable because it was the first one President Donald Trump attended.
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Appeals Courts and Asylum Rights: A Thorn in Trump’s Immigration Agenda
A three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found that immigration laws give people the right to apply for asylum at the border. The president cannot circumvent that.
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The FISA Fight: The Future of Governmental Spy Powers in America
The United States has had a long and complicated history when it comes to surveillance and personal liberties. Tension has arisen due to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a powerful and contested tool.