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Chinese Exclusion Act
The first major law to ban immigration status based on nationality, this Act was proposed to give more jobs to Americans, which was seen as in stern competition with the Chinese. Overall, the Act only encouraged discrimination against Chinese individuals, creating roadblocks in developing relations. -
Plessy V Ferguson
One of the landmark decisions in U.S history, this deemed segregation within the United States legal for businesses and establishments to decide if they choose to discriminate based on race. This only could exist to the court under the doctrine "separate, but equal". Rarely was such a thing upheld though. -
Revenue Act
Also known as the Underwood-Simmons Tariff Act, gave birth to today's federal income taxes and the 16th amendment. It was made to keep the federal government supported upon lowering tariffs. -
Espionage Act
One of two World War 1 Acts, this Act originally upheld a purpose of protecting U.S interests during the Great War. However, its purpose was skewed, intentionally or unintentionally. The Act was manipulated to imprison and silence anti-war activists. -
Sedition Act
Adding to the foundation the Espionage Act set, this turned up the heat to those speaking against the country or its armed forces. Prison sentences, from 5 to 20 years, could be granted to those that expressed opinion of war or the government in negative light. -
Tariff Act (Smoot-Hawley Act)
Like one of the most costly tariffs in American history, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 kick-started the severity of the Great Depression, turning it into a series of crashing markets around the world. -
Securities Exchange Act
As the markets became more stable and employment went back up, the law passed to enforce regulations on securities and protections for stocks, bonds, and the general stock market were met with plenty of debate. This law brought with it the creation of the Securities Exchange Commission. -
The Smith Act
Under the grounds of McCarthyism, this Act forbid advocating for a violent overthrowing of the government. During the Red Scare, it was mostly used to target suspected communists, but having initially target fascists. The issue with this law was that it is within the expectations of the people to overthrow a government not upholding the standards of democracy. -
Korematsu v United States
During World War 2, Japanese-Americans were targeted individuals as the war in the Pacific gave way to discrimination and vendettas by the people. This decision legalized the creation of Interment Camps, holding grounds for Japanese-American people. It was decided as constitutional as it was deemed necessary for public defense. -
Taft-Harley Act
With the workforce exploding after the end of World War 2, there were outcries for many grievances that came with labor unions. This Act severely limited the power and actions these unions could take. Key actions such as prohibiting practices and the government's right to work laws, even potential effects from communism, all came together to bog down the effects labor unions could have. -
Civil Rights Act
The fight for equality in America is a very long and arduous journey. It should come to no surprise that this law was considered controversial, while progressive and promoting freedom, hatred was still prevalent in incredible numbers throughout the country.
This Act gave protection to minority groups, ensuring equal opportunities of employment and services. -
Social Security Amendments
Mostly backed by democrats in 1965, the laws passed funding for Medicare and Medicaid programs. This large hit on federal budgets was frowned upon, but eventually passed, giving health insurance benefits to the elderly and the impoverished. -
Economic Recovery Tax Act
This Reagan-era tax reform was nothing short of a train wreck. Lowering income and federal taxes was the primary objective. However, these cuts most benefited the upper class, seeing tax cuts as much as 20%. The lower class saw only a 3% decrease in their income taxes. All of this amounted to a recession, with interest rates going from 12% to 20%. -
Balance Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act
In an attempt to lower the national deficit, a large majority of republicans agreed upon this Act to decrease the deficit limit over 5 years. This would be supported by mandated budget cuts should the limits not be met. However, some programs were protected from such cuts, such as Social Security. -
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
Largely criticized by Democrats, this law targeted welfare and created policies, reforming the way benefits are granted. This had a noticeable effect on lower income and homeless individuals, raising cost of living and lowering overall wages which greatly influenced their lives. -
Defense of Marriage Act
This law defined marriage as between a man and a woman exclusively. It was passed targeting explicitly homosexuals. In 2015, the Supreme Court's decision on Obergefell v. Hodges allowed for same sex marriage to be legal again. -
Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act
This law made a very bold approach to increasing the federal deficit, proposing cutting taxes by $1.35 trillion over 10 years. Primarily supported by Republicans, this law would mostly benefit the wealthiest in the country. Additionally, the normal tax rates from before would return after the 10 years. This was only done to prevent senators from blocking the law using the Byrd Rule. -
The Patriot Act
After 9/11, this law was passed in order to increase the government's surveillance power to strengthen national security. However, most felt this infringed upon privacy and civil rights. The law failed to be upheld in 2020 as it did not pass within the House of Representatives. However, some feel the time to take back the possibility of a stricter surveillance state has already passed. -
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare)
This is a rare, once in a century law that had no supporting votes from the Republican party. Aside from the 0% support from the opposing party, this law reinforced protections to civilians and their health insurance. Specifically, protecting rates based on gender and health conditions, ensuring all Americans receive health insurance, and requiring financial aid for all pre-existing conditions. -
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
Ongoing situations involving immigration into the United States through the northern and southern borders are not too new. This Act gave high executive status to the rights of immigrants brought to the U.S as children. Today, it is still a heavily disputed policy that is struggling to stay with the changing policies of each cabinet.