Two from Indiana join ABA Day in Congress
American Bar Association members are on Capitol Hill Wednesday and Thursday to advocate that lawmakers fund legal aid services and continue the student loan forgiveness program.
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7th Circuit nominees set for committee vote
The nominations of Michael Scudder, Jr., and Judge Amy St. Eve, the Illinois nominees for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, are scheduled for a vote by the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary on Thursday. If approved by the committee, the pair will go on to the full Senate for a confirmation vote.
Kennedy-King historic honor granted for Indianapolis park
The Indianapolis park where Robert Kennedy called for peace and unity just hours after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. has officially been designated a National Historic Site. The designation comes as events at the park mark the 50th anniversary of King’s death.
As state allows for professional licenses, long-term national DACA solution remains elusive
With all this uncertainty, one thing DACA recipients won’t have to worry about anymore — in Indiana, at least — is obtaining state professional licenses. Gov. Eric Holcomb signed Senate Enrolled Act 419 on March 21, which allowed “Dreamers” to apply for professional certifications.
Increase in LSC funding likely to boost Indiana Legal Services
With the just-passed federal spending bill putting an extra $25 million into the Legal Services Corporation’s coffers, Indiana Legal Services is anticipating a raise in funding to help with its work in providing civil legal assistance to indigent individuals and families across the Hoosier state.
Congress gives $410 million to Legal Services Corp.
The omnibus spending bill passed by Congress on Thursday includes not only funding for the Legal Services Corporation but a raise as well. The legislation provides $410 million for legal aid in fiscal year 2018, the highest appropriation since 2010.
Kennedy-King Park legislation passes Congress
The Indianapolis park where Robert F. Kennedy pleaded for peace and calmed the crowd after the assassination of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. is a presidential signature away from getting national recognition.
Little confrontation at 7th Circuit nominees’ hearing
Amy St. Eve and Michael Scudder, the two nominees for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, breezed through their confirmation hearing Wednesday, facing few pointed questions and not being called to defend any of their past actions.
Nominees for 7th Circuit’s Illinois seats to testify Wednesday
The latest nominees to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals — a native Hoosier who worked on intelligence and terrorism matters in the George W. Bush administration and a judge who presided over a trial with Donald Trump as the defendant — are scheduled to appear Wednesday before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
Republicans opt to wait out Trump’s storm against Mueller
Congressional Republicans made clear Tuesday they won’t take steps to protect special counsel Robert Mueller from being fired, insisting it’s unnecessary and opting instead to wait out the storm and warn President Trump against attempting to fire Mueller.
Rokita skipping televised Indiana GOP Senate debate
U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita has decided to skip a televised debate planned for next month with the two other candidates seeking the Republican U.S. Senate nomination.
Hill joins AGs supporting child pornography victims law
Curtis Hill — along with 54 other state and territorial attorneys general — has co-signed a letter calling on Congress to approve the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2017.
Immigration protest’s human chain blocks traffic
A faith-based group critical of Indiana Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly's and Republican Sen. Todd Young's stances on immigration literally took to the streets Tuesday, blocking traffic in front of the federal courthouse in Indianapolis and near both senators' downtown offices.
Supreme Court: Congress properly ended Michigan casino suit
The United States Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Congress acted within its authority when it ended a lawsuit that began over a Native American tribe’s Michigan casino.
Dems release Russia probe memo defending FBI surveillance
Two weeks after President Donald Trump blocked its full release, the House Intelligence Committee published a partially blacked-out version of a classified Democratic memo aiming to counter a GOP narrative that the FBI and Justice Department conspired against Trump as they investigated his ties to Russia.
Amid another call for defunding, LSC asking for an increase
The Legal Services Corp.’s request for a nearly $175 million increase in funding over the current level for fiscal year 2019 has again been snubbed by the Trump Administration which is calling for the elimination of all federal money to the legal aid agency next year.
Republican Senate candidates to debate in Indianapolis
Candidates in Indiana’s raucous Republican U.S. Senate primary are set to participate in their first debate.
Public money fuels Indiana Senate candidate’s publicity bid
Throughout his career in elected office, Indiana Senate candidate Todd Rokita has used apocalyptic language to warn of “out-of-control” government spending, which he once described as “choking our economy and stealing freedom.”
Senate rejects immigration plan by bipartisan senators
A divided Senate rejected a bipartisan plan Thursday to help young “Dreamer” immigrants and parcel out money for the wall President Donald Trump wants with Mexico. Republican leaders joined with the White House and scuttled what seemed the likeliest chance for sweeping immigration legislation this election year.
Republican votes push 7th Circuit nominee Brennan to full Senate
Michael Brennan, Wisconsin nominee to the 7th Circuit of Appeals, was narrowly approved by the U.S. Committee on the Judiciary on a party-line vote Thursday. His nomination now proceeds to the U.S. Senate for a confirmation vote.