Shows
Broken LawEpisode 180: The Voting Rights Act at 60Sixty years ago, Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law one of the most transformative bills in United States history - the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Michael Li joins Lindsay Langholz to take stock of the VRA's impact on American democracy, the real wins pro-democracy advocates are still able to achieve in spite of an increasingly hostile Supreme Court, and what the future holds for this critical law.Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and Program, ACSGuest: Michael L...2025-08-0545 min
Broken LawEpisode 179: "Active Participants in Our Own Liberation"ACS recently completed our 2025 National Convention Series, taking a deep dive into states' responses to the pressing issues of immigration, democracy and voting, economic and racial justice, and transgender rights. This week, we bring you brief excerpts from that series, highlighting perspectives from a diverse set of experts on the stakes of this moment and what we can do in response. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and Program, ACSGuest: Aura Bogado, Senior Reporter, Injustice Watch2025-07-2226 min
Broken LawEpisode 178: 'Irreparable Harm': A Supreme Court Term ReviewThe Supreme Court recently wrapped up its 2024-2025 term and the ACS Policy and Program team is here to break down the headline cases, those that may have slipped under your radar, and several that came and went via the shadow docket.Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and Program, ACSGuest: Christopher Wright Durocher, Vice President of Policy and ProgramGuest: Taonga Leslie, Director of Policy and Program for Racial Justice2025-07-081h 09
Broken LawEpisode 177: The Legal System's Role in Political ViolenceThe country has recently experienced a series of escalating instances of political violence, perpetrated by individuals as well as state actors wielding governmental power. Christopher Wright Durocher is joined by Lindsay Langholz to discuss the ways in which our legal system is being weaponized against disfavored groups and the toll that political violence takes on our rights and our communities.Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Christopher Wright Durocher, Vice President of Policy and ProgramGuest: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and Program, A...2025-06-2456 min
Broken LawEpisode 176: Checks and Balances Upside DownIn these first months of his second term, President Trump has fired or attempted to fire thousands upon thousands of federal workers. Notable among those affected by this unprecedented flexing of executive authority are leaders of independent agencies. Peter Shane joins Lindsay Langholz to discuss two recent cases that have significant implications on our system of checks and balances and just how far the president is allowed to go when it comes to control over independent agencies.Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Po...2025-06-1052 min
Broken LawEpisode 175: Defending Academic FreedomIn recent weeks, the Trump Administration has escalated intimidation efforts against Harvard University and other private colleges, by canceling billions in federal funding and threatening to revoke tax-exempt status unless the schools make major changes to their hiring and teaching practices. Andrew Manuel Crespo joins Taongal Leslie to discuss the legal strategies behind the administration's attacks on higher education and how the academy can defend its independence.Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and Program, ACSGuest: Andrew M...2025-05-271h 01
Broken LawEpisode 174: The New Civil War Over ReproductionFar from satisfied with Dobbs, the antiabortion movement is energized and taking aim at their next objective - fetal personhood. Mary Ziegler, author of Personhood: The New Civil War over Reproduction, joins Lindsay Langholz to discuss the antiabortion movement’s historical aims, where they are focused three years after the fall of Roe v. Wade, and how President Trump’s second term factors into those plans.Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and Program, ACSGuest: Mary Ziegler, Marti...2025-05-1332 min
Broken LawEpisode 173: The First 100 DaysPresident Trump's first 100 days of his second term have been unlike any other in the modern American presidency. The ACS Programs Team joins to discuss the major actions taken by the Administration in its opening weeks, shine a light on some of the actions Trump has taken that have slipped under the radar, and reflect on how the federal courts have responded.Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and Program, ACSGuest: Christopher Wright Duroocher, Vice President of P...2025-04-291h 03
Broken LawEpisode 172: A "Bloodless Coup" Underway in North CarolinaOver five months after voters cast their ballots to elect a North Carolina Supreme Court Justice, the election remains uncertified. The losing candidate has taken to the courts in an attempt to change the rules of the contest long after Election Day and, so far, two state courts have been willing to do so. Lindsay Langholz joins Christopher Wright Durocher to discuss the legal case at the heart of this election contest, the courts who have and will be hearing the case, and what it could mean for the rest of the country.Join the Progressive Le...2025-04-1536 min
Broken LawEpisode 171: Taking DOGE to CourtThere have been over 100 lawsuits challenging many of the early actions of the second Trump Administration. Kate Huddleston joins Lindsay Langholz to discuss the details of one, Campaign Legal Center's recently filed lawsuit challenging the Department of Government Efficiency's power grab. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and ProgramGuest: Kate Huddleston, Senior Legal Counsel, Campaign Legal CenterLink: Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions Link: CL...2025-04-0127 min
Broken LawEpisode 170: Public Policy and Religious Exemptions Collide Again, and Again, at SCOTUSThe Court is entering its final stretch of oral arguments for the 2024-2025 term and they will be hearing four important cases with significant First Amendment implications, particularly when it comes to the separation of church and state. Hirsh Joshi joins Lindsay Langholz to discuss the tension between public policy goals and religiously motivated exemptions in each of these cases.Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and ProgramGuest: Hirsh Joshi, Attorney and Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow, Fre...2025-03-1848 min
Broken LawEpisode 167: TikTok, Adult Content, and the First Amendment's Big Month at the CourtThe Supreme Court recently heard two cases that could have significant implications for the way we live our lives online. Gautam Hans joins Lindsay Langholz to reflect on the arguments made to the Court, how to interpret the TikTok v. Garland decision and chaotic aftermath, and why we should all care about broad restrictions on adult content websites. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and ProgramGuest: Gautam Hans, Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Civil R...2025-02-0442 min
Broken LawEpisode 164: Holiday Reading WishlistIf you are doing some last minute holiday shopping or resolving to read more books in 2025, we have got you covered. Lindsay Langholz and Christopher Wright Durocher share what books are on their wishlist this holiday season, and Valerie Nannery speaks with Joshua Perry about his novel, Seraphim.Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and ProgramHost: Christopher Wright Durocher, Vice President of Policy and Program, ACSHost: Valerie Nannery, Senior Director of Policy a...2024-12-2433 min
Broken LawEpisode 162: The Threat of a National Abortion Ban in All but NameHow might a Trump administration effectively ban abortion without actually signing a national abortion ban into law? Abortion advocates are sounding the alarm over a 1873 law known as the Comstock Act. Lindsay Langholz joins Christopher Wright Durocher to take a critical look at this zombie law - why it was passed, how it has historically been used, and how an incoming Trump administration might take advantage of this dusty section of the United States Code. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Christopher Wright Durocher, Vice President of Policy and...2024-11-2631 min
Broken LawEpisode 160: What to Expect When You're Expecting Election ResultsIn the days after Election Day 2020, mis- and disinformation over how votes are counted, verified, and results certified fueled political violence and the birth of the Big Lie. Ahead of Election Day 2024, Jonathan Diaz joins Lindsay Langholz to discuss what election law experts are actually focused on once the polls close and what is just noise. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and ProgramGuest: Jonathan Diaz, Director of Voting Advocacy and Partnerships, Campaign Legal Center2024-10-2941 min
Broken LawEpisode 158: The Start of a New SCOTUS Term and the End of the 2024 ElectionIn this supersized episode, Christopher Wright Durocher joins Lindsay Langholz to discuss what to expect from the imminent start to the 2024-2025 Supreme Court Term. Then, Sylvia Albert and Eyricka Geneus of Common Cause join Ashley Erickson to dig in on volunteer opportunities in this final stretch of the 2024 election cycle.Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and Program csacasGuest: Christopher Wright Durocher, Vice President of Policy and Program at ACSGuest: Ashley E...2024-10-011h 04
Broken LawEpisode 155: Livin' On a Prayer As States Push Church Into ClassroomsTwo recent Supreme Court decisions have dramatically eroded the separation of church and state when it comes to our public schools. As students head back for another school year, Elizabeth Cavell joins Lindsay Langholz to look at the impact the Court's decisions have had on public school classrooms and how Christian nationalists are attempting to push the boundary even further.Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and ProgramGuest: Elizabeth Cavell, Deputy Legal Director, Freedom from Religion Foundation2024-08-2057 min
Broken LawEpisode 154: The Court's Breaking PointIn less than four years, President Biden has gone from a skeptic to proponent of significant reforms to the Supreme Court. Christopher Wright Durocher joins Lindsay Langholz to discuss how the Court’s recent decisions have played into the growing calls for reform and what proposals may be gaining traction. We also bring you excerpts of ACS’s 2023-2024 Supreme Court Review to better understand just how aggressive the Court has become in delivering wins for the conservative legal movement and accumulating power for itself.Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHo...2024-08-0646 min
Broken LawEpisode 153: Powering the PollsIn less than 100 days, voters all over the country will start heading to the polls as early voting begins in most states. Lindsay Langholz is joined by ACS’s Ashley Erickson and Power the Poll’s Marta Hanson to cut through the noise of the presidential race and talk about one concrete thing that can be done to help protect democracy this year and help restore faith in our election system long-term. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and ProgramGu...2024-07-2330 min
Broken LawEpisode 149: The Promise of Title IXThe Biden Administration recently released a new rule that provides critical updates to Title IX. Lindsay Langholz and ACS Law Fellow Claire Comey speak with Anya Marino and Shiwali Patel about this important federal civil rights law, the contours of this new regulation, and the work still to be done to protect students of all gender identities on campus. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgHost: Lindsay Langholz - Senior Director of Policy and ProgramCo-Host: Claire Comey Guest: An...2024-05-2837 min
Broken LawEpisode 147: "Rightfully Complicit"This week on Broken Law, we revisit two moving speeches from ACS's 2023 National Convention. Oren Nimni and Sherrilyn Ifill explore the complicity of lawyers in maintaining our unjust legal system and the special responsibility we bear in creating a more just future.Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgToday's Host: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and Program, ACSFeatured Speaker: Oren Nimni, Litigation Director, Rights Behind BarsFeatured Speaker: Sherrilyn Ifill, Former President and Director Counsel, N...2024-04-3032 min
Broken LawEpisode 146: Abortion, Courts, Elections, and YouFlorida and Arizona state courts recently green lit restrictive abortion bans and the Supreme Court hears two cases that will have significant implications for how doctors and pregnant people navigate the post-Dobbs chaos. Elizabeth Binczik and Lindsay Langholz discuss the latest abortion news and how these developments are interacting with this year's elections.Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgToday's Host: Elizabeth Binczik Guest: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and Program, ACSLink: Former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey sa...2024-04-1631 min
Broken LawEpisode 145: Insurrection on the DocketThe Supreme Court has taken up three cases that arise out of litigants seeking accountability for the violent events of January 6th. This month, the Court will hear arguments on former president Trump's presidential immunity claim and take a look at whether the law used to prosecute many January 6th participants was validly applied in one such prosecution. Lindsay Langholz speaks with Donald Sherman of CREW about what the Court's decision in Trump v. Anderson, the ballot disqualification case, means for this ongoing pursuit of accountability. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org2024-04-0236 min
Broken LawEpisode 143: Misogyny and the LawInternational Women's Day will be celebrated on March 8th. It is a day to celebrate while also taking stock of women's rights here in the United States and abroad. This year, we see a number of countries making significant strides toward reproductive freedom for women while the United States slides backwards. Lindsay Langholz speaks with Julie Suk, author of "After Misogyny: How the Law Fails Women and What to Do About It," about how misogyny informs our legal system and our social structures.Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgToday's2024-03-0536 min
Broken LawEpisode 141: The Electoral College's Past, Present, and Future (Part II of Episode 137 - Is the ECA Prepared for 2024?)The Electoral College has shown significant flaws since its inception. Twice in the 21st Century, the national popular vote winner has not ultimately been elected President. The undemocratic nature of the institution has many asking why our system is built the way it is and what can be done to fix it. In this follow-up to Episode 137 ("Is the ECA Prepared for 2024?"), Lindsay Langholz speaks with Professor Alexander Keyssar about how the Founders designed the process by which we elect presidents, the problems encountered along the way, and the many, many attempts at reform.Join the...2024-02-0634 min
Broken LawEpisode 138: Two Big Ticket Items for 2024Welcome to 2024! We are covering two topics poised to shape the new year. First, Jeanne Hruska catches up with Lindsay Langholz for the latest developments in efforts to keep Donald Trump off the ballot in various states and whether SCOTUS will finally step in. Jeanne then speaks with ACS President Russ Feingold to discuss where President Biden is on judicial appointments at the end of three years and the challenge for the Senate to confirm 70 judges in 12 months. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgToday's Host: Jeanne Hr...2024-01-0942 min
Broken LawEpisode 137: Is the ECA Prepared for 2024? Part IThe Electoral Count Act (ECA) played a prominent role in the legal fictions clung to by those who orchestrated the January 6th Insurrection. With another presidential election before us, Lindsay Langholz joins Jeanne Hruska to discuss the updates made to the ECA since 2021 and whether we should have faith in the ECA this election cycle. They also recap end-of-year SCOTUS news. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgToday's Host: Jeanne Hruska , ACS Sr Advisor for Communications and StrategyGuest: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Sr D...2024-01-0239 min
Broken LawEpisode 133: Taking Up Section 3 of the 14th AmendmentThere's been much conversation about Section 3 of the 14th Amendment and whether it can be used to keep people who engaged in the January 6th insurrection off the ballot. Lindsay Langholz speaks with Donald Sherman and Nikhel Sus from CREW about their lawsuit aimed at keeping Donald Trump off the ballot in Colorado. They discuss the ruling of the trial court and look ahead to the December 6th oral argument before the Colorado Supreme Court. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.orgToday's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Sr Di...2023-12-0536 min
Broken LawEpisode 129: One Year Out from Election Day 2024One year out from the 2024 election, Lindsay Langholz checks in with Jessica Huseman from VoteBeat about the election issues that are consuming her attention and could shape the 2024 election space, including the growing obsession with hand counting ballots and the odd steps certain states are taking to "update" their voter registration lists. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz , ACS Sr Director of Policy and Program Guest: Jessica Huseman, Editorial Director, VoteBeat Link: "The drive to hand count ballots is growing. The GOP could stop it," by J...2023-11-0749 min
Broken LawEpisode 124: Previewing the New SCOTUS TermWith the Supreme Court's new term underway as of October 2, the ACS team sat down to discuss the biggest trends and cases on the Court's docket. Is the term going to bring all bad news or might there be reason for (cautious and select) optimism? The team weighs in. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Sr Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Sr Director of Policy and Program Guest: Taonga Leslie, ACS Director of Policy and Program for Racial Justice G...2023-10-0351 min
Broken LawEpisode 117: Where Is the Free Speech Breaking Point?In the wake of his second federal indictment, former President Donald Trump and his legal team are claiming the First Amendment protects against charges of fraud, conspiracy to violate civil rights, obstruction of an official proceeding and conspiracy to do so. Lindsay Langholz speaks with Nora Benavidez about this claim and the broader issue of how social media is impacting our elections and our democracy. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Sr Director of Policy and Program Guest: Nora Benavidez, Senior Counsel/Director, Digital Justice & Civil Rig...2023-08-1546 min
Broken LawEpisode 116: Watch These SpacesToday is a double feature! Jeanne Hruska speaks first with Lindsay Langholz about an unusual August election in Ohio and why the cynical ploy could be decisive for abortion rights in the state. Jeanne then speaks with Russ Feingold about President Biden falling behind his predecessor’s pace in judicial confirmations and the implications going forward. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Sr Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Sr Director of Policy and Program Guest: Russ Feingold, ACS President Li...2023-08-0840 min
Broken LawEpisode 110: SCOTUS Keeps the Innocent IncarceratedWe cover a buffet of Supreme Court cases on this episode. Christopher Wright Durocher speaks with Professor Alexis J. Hoag-Fordjour about an array of criminal legal cases decided this term and the Court's persistent indifference to potential innocence. He later speaks with Lindsay Langholz about the Court's decision in Moore v. Harper, regarding the so-called independent state legislature theory. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Christopher Wright Durocher, ACS Vice President of Policy and Program Guest: Alexis J. Hoag-Fordjour, Assistant Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Center for Crimin...2023-07-0545 min
Broken LawEpisode 109: A Win for Tribal SovereigntyThis week, Lindsay Langholz speaks with Professor Wenona T. Singel to debrief the Supreme Court's decision in Haaland v. Brackeen about the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), long considered the "gold standard" of child welfare policies. The episode delves into the statute's history, the details of the case, and the sweeping impact of the Supreme Court upholding ICWA, for now. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Senior Director of Policy and Program Guest: Wenona T. Singel, Director, Indigenous Law & Policy Center at Michigan Sta...2023-06-2742 min
Broken LawEpisode 108: Part Indictment, Part Voting RightsTwo episodes in one! This week, Jeanne Hruska speaks with Barbara McQuade about the federal indictment and arraignment of former President Trump. Additionally, Lindsay Langholz speaks with Jonathan Diaz to debrief the Supreme Court's decision in Allen v. Milligan and how it relates to Shelby County v. Holder and the status of the Voting Rights Act. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Senior Director of Policy and Program Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Sr. Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: Barbara McQuade, Professor, University of Michi...2023-06-201h 04
Broken LawEpisode 99: Mifepristone and Judicial WhiplashIn the past couple of weeks, there has been a flurry of judicial activity over Mifepristone, one of the two drugs most often used in medication abortion and that was approved by the FDA over 20 years ago. On this episode, Jenny Ma returns to Broken Law to speak with Lindsay Langholz about the absurdity of the argument being made against Mifepristone, how it has played out in the courts thus far, and what may happen next. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Sr Director of Policy and Program...2023-04-2550 min
Broken LawEpisode 95: Why The ERA Is More Important Than EverThe Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was first introduced in 1923. 100 years later, with 38 states having ratified it, should it be considered the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution? Lindsay Langholz speaks with Kathleen Sullivan about the status of the ERA and why the ERA is more important than ever. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, Sr Director of Policy and Program Guest: Kathleen Sullivan, Senior Counsel, Quinn, Emanuel, Urquhart & Sullivan Link: Video of Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing, "The Equal Rights Amendment: How Congress Can Recognize R...2023-03-2835 min
Broken LawEpisode 94: When Forced Birth Becomes a BanalityWe've hosted several episodes about Dobbs and its aftermath. On this episode, Lindsay Langholz is joined by Khiara M. Bridges for a broader conversation about forced birth in America and what it means for pregnant people, families, and the law when forced birth becomes a banality. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, Sr Director of Policy and Program Guest: Khiara M. Bridges, Professor, UC Berkeley School of Law Link: "Race in the Roberts Court," by Khiara M Bridges Link: National Network of Abortion F...2023-03-2151 min
Broken LawEpisode 90: Pulling the Curtain Back on the Anti-Abortion MovementThis week, Lindsay Langholz speaks with Jessica Mason Pieklo from Rewire News Group to pull the curtain back on the anti-abortion movement. They discuss the pending lawsuit in federal district court that could result in abortion pills being banned, the concerted effort to target hormonal birth control, and much more. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director for Policy and Program Guest: Jessica Mason Pieklo, Senior Vice President and Executive Editor, Rewire News Group Link: "Biden administration braces for ruling that could ban abortion pills...2023-02-2156 min
Broken LawEpisode 88: Closing the Justice GapIf you are charged with a crime, you have a right to counsel. But what about a right to counsel if you are at risk of being evicted or losing custody of your children? How might a right to counsel in those situations close what is known as the “justice gap”? Jeanne Hruska speaks with Yael Cannon (Georgetown Law School) and John Pollock (Public Justice Center) to answer these questions and to explore the equity benefits of a civil right to counsel. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Direc...2023-02-0747 min
Broken LawEpisode 87: Is Dobbs a Canary in the Coal Mine?Is there a correlation between the status of reproductive rights and the health of our democracy? Lindsay Langholz speaks with Jennifer Weiss-Wolf about this question and her recent article in Ms. Magazine and Rewire Magazine that asks if women's rights are the canary in the coal mine in the backsliding of democracies. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director for Policy and Program Guest: Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, Executive Director of the Birnbaum Women’s Leadership Network Link: "Are Women’s Rights the Canary in the Coal Mine o...2023-01-3133 min
Broken LawEpisode 80: A Radical Legal FictionRecently, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that is equal parts baffling and dangerous: Moore v. Harper. On paper, it is about partisan gerrymandering. In reality, it's about a radical legal fiction that could upend constitutional law as we know it. Lindsay Langholz speaks with Allison Riggs from the Southern Coalition for Southern Justice, a member of the legal team representing the non-state respondents in Moore, about the case and this radical legal fiction known as the independent state legislative theory. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay...2022-12-1346 min
Broken LawEpisode 78: Election Debrief, Part IIToday’s episode picks up where we left off last week, with Part II of our election debrief. First, Lindsay Langholz and Jeanne Hruska take a look at the ballot measures that voters weighed in on in 2022 and the potential for future progressive wins using this powerful tool. Second, Lindsay speaks with Marcia Johnson-Blanco and Anna Chu on election protection efforts. Given the wave of voter suppression laws passed in 2021 and 2022, election protection experts had their work cut out for them, and we hear how it went. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org To...2022-11-2959 min
Broken LawEpisode 77: Post Election Debrief, Part INow that Election Day has come and gone, we are going to take a look at what worked, what didn’t, and what to keep an eye on looking ahead to 2023 and 2024. There is so much to debrief that we will be covering this in two episodes. On Part I of our debrief, Lindsay Langholz speaks with Jessica Huseman about democracy being on the ballot and to debrief on how our election infrastructure and administrators came through the midterms. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Senior Director of Po...2022-11-2233 min
Broken LawEpisode 76: SCOTUS Threatens Much of Indian LawThe Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) has been a successful federal law since it was enacted in 1978 and is considered by many experts to be the gold standard of child welfare practices. And yet, decades later, a federal court ruled ICWA unconstitutional in a widely criticized 2021 decision. The case, Brackeen v. Haaland, is now before the Supreme Court, which could with its decision rewrite much of Indian Law as we know it. Lindsay Langholz is joined by Professor Matthew Fletcher to debrief the oral arguments in the case and discuss the implications of potential outcomes. Join the...2022-11-1546 min
Broken LawEpisode 75: Packed SCOTUS Takes Aim at Race-Conscious Laws, AgainThis week, we are going to break down the epic 5+ hour long oral arguments that the Supreme Court heard in two related cases about affirmative action in higher education. It seems, yet again, even well-established precedent is open for re-examination by this packed Court. Lindsay Langholz is joined by Professor Vinay Harpalani to break down the oral arguments and discuss what we should expect when the Court issues its decisions next year. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Senior Director of Policy and Program Guest: Vinay...2022-11-0851 min
Broken LawEpisode 73: Dear Voters, Don't Sleep on These RacesWhile much attention is being paid this election cycle on which party will control Congress come January, there are several down ballot races that will also have profound effects on our fundamental rights and on the legitimacy of our democracy. These include races for State Attorney General, Secretary of State, state court judges, and district attorneys. On this episode, we provide a rapid overview of these races and the topline selling points for why voters should vote their full ballot. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS S...2022-10-2534 min
Broken LawEpisode 72: Cutting Through the Noise on Election LawWe are just a few weeks out from Election Day and in several states, voters are already going to the polls. Election laws, including voting rights laws, have undergone significant change in many states since the 2020 election. Lindsay Langholz speaks with Jonathan Diaz from the Campaign Legal Center about the good, the bad, and the alarming when it comes to our electoral system - and what listeners can do to support election security. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Senior Director of Policy and Program Guest...2022-10-1843 min
Broken LawEpisode 71: The Voting Rights Act Is on Life SupportOn October 4, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in Merrill v. Milligan, a case about Alabama's racially gerrymandered congressional map. The question looming over this case is whether the Supreme Court will destroy what remains of the Voting Rights Act. Lindsay Langholz speaks with Bradley Heard from the Southern Poverty Law Center about the case, take aways from the oral argument, and what to expect when the Court hands down its decision next year. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and Program 2022-10-1139 min
Broken LawEpisode 70: Bracing for the Supreme Court's New TermThe Supreme Court started its new term on October 3rd, and we are bracing for more cases where the Court could ignore precedent and judicial restraint, and eliminate safeguards to our civil rights and to our democracy. We preview several of the cases on the Court's docket and discuss their potential ramifications. These cases cover voting rights and gerrymandering, affirmative action, the death penalty, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, Sr. Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: Christopher Wright Durocher, Vice President of...2022-10-041h 06
Broken LawEpisode 67: Sex, Gender Identity, and the ConstitutionOn this episode, we discuss sex, gender identity, and the Constitution. That's because we are talking about the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the argument that it is already the 28th Amendment to the Constitution. Lindsay Langholz is joined by Kate Kelly, author of "Ordinary Equality," to discuss the ERA’s long journey, the women and queer activists who kept the project going for so long, and why their work and their fight are still relevant today. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Director of Policy and Program...2022-09-1350 min
Broken LawEpisode 65: The Intentional Effort to Toxify Public EducationAs we head back to school and in honor of Labor Day, Lindsay Langholz speaks this week with Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, about the myriad of new state laws censoring what teachers can say in the classroom, the resurgence of book bans by school districts, and the broader, purposeful effort to toxify public education. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, Director of Policy and Program Guest: Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO Link: AFT's Take Action Resources2022-08-3028 min
Broken LawEpisode 64: Dobbs, Kansas, and Emerging Abortion TrendsIt has been nearly two months since the Supreme Court released its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, overturning Roe v. Wade and throwing the issue of abortion rights to the states. On this episode, Lindsay Langholz speaks with Professor Mary Ziegler about how the aftermath of Dobbs is playing out in the states. What does Kansas say about how abortion might fare in other states and what are the emerging trends as more lawsuits are filed and state courts deliberate over old and new state laws? Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org...2022-08-2351 min
Broken LawEpisode 62: Lessons Learned from Elections AbroadIt can be easy to think that the U.S. democratic system is somehow exceptional, a product and an idea to be exported abroad. But the reality is far more complicated. As U.S. democracy faces a moment of truth, there are lessons to be learned from how elections are conducted and secured in other countries. Lindsay Langholz speaks this week with Ann Ravel, former FEC Commissioner, who has served as an election observer and expert in a number of countries. They delve into how other countries prevent voter suppression and ensure more gender and racial representation. ...2022-08-0941 min
Broken LawEpisode 60: Yet Another Supreme Court Power GrabThis week, we continue our review of consequential decisions to come from the Supreme Court this term and turn our attention to Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta, which will have major implications for tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction going forward. To discuss the decision, Lindsay Langholz is joined by Professor Maggie Blackhawk who explains how, as she described it, the Court acted “against hundreds of years of congressional action, against solid SCOTUS precedent, and hundreds of years of history” in handing down a “a devastating result for our democracy.” They also discuss a case the Court has agreed to take up next term reg...2022-07-2654 min
Broken LawEpisode 59: 2022 Supreme Court Wrap-UpThis week, we look back at several of the big decisions that came down from the U.S. Supreme Court in its most recent term, including New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, West Virginia v. EPA, and Vega v. Tekoh. We also look ahead to a couple of the major cases coming down the pike next term and discuss the alarming trends that are arising with this packed Court's conservative supermajority. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Sr Advisor for Communications and Strategy Host...2022-07-191h 10
Broken LawEpisode 58: The Supreme Court's Religious AgendaIn its latest term, the U.S. Supreme Court decided two highly consequential decisions pertaining to the religion clauses of the First Amendment: Carson v. Makin and Kennedy v. Bremerton School District. Lindsay Langholz speaks this week with Ira "Chip" Lupu, Professor Emeritus of Law at GW Law School, about these two cases, just how divergent the decisions are from the Court's prior precedent, and what listeners should expect next given the Court's seemingly overt religious agenda. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Director of Policy and Program2022-07-1255 min
Broken LawEpisode 57: The Chaos of a Post-Roe AmericaThe U.S. Supreme Court's final decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health is as bad as we feared it would be. For the first time in history, our highest court has eliminated a fundamental right by overruling Roe v. Wade. On this episode, Lindsay Langholz is joined by returning guests Jenny Ma, Senior Staff Attorney with the Center for Reproductive Rights, and Rosann Mariappurum, Executive Director of Jane's Due Process, to discuss the Dobbs decision, the legal uncertainty and confusion for patients and providers, and the flurry of legal activity to combat state abortion bans and restrictions. They...2022-07-0547 min
Broken LawEpisode 51: The Domino Effect of DobbsThe leaked draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, if officially released by the Supreme Court, would wipe out the federal constitutional right to abortion and directly impact the lives of millions of people. Already, the conservative legal movement is mobilizing to take advantage of the groundwork being laid in Dobbs to put same-sex marriage, contraception, and even interracial marriage in jeopardy. How wide will the impact of the Dobbs decision be and who will be affected? This week, Lindsay Langholz speaks with Kimberly Mutcherson, Professor and Co-Dean of Rutgers Law School, about the potential domino ef...2022-05-2452 min
Broken LawEpisode 48: SCOTUS Just Reinforced Puerto Rico's Separate and Unequal StatusThis week, we’re discussing Puerto Rico, specifically the many ways in which U.S. law continues to subject this and the other U.S. territories to second class status. The latest example? The Supreme Court recently ruled, in an unusual 8 to 1 decision, that Puerto Ricans can be denied government benefits, despite being U.S. citizens. Lindsay Langholz speaks with Adriel Cepeda Derieux of the ACLU about this case and how it is just the latest in a long line of oppressive measures taken by the United States against its territories. ----------------- Join the Progressive Le...2022-05-0339 min
Broken LawEpisode 42: When Legislatures Race to the BottomThere are orchestrated assaults being led by certain state legislatures against trans rights and reproductive rights in this country. While these attacks have been ongoing for years, they are ratcheting up. From Florida's "Don't Say Gay Bill" to a bill in Missouri that would bar pregnant people from accessing abortion services out of state, state legislators seem to be competing to come up with the most extreme, dangerous legislation. Jeanne Hruska speaks with ACS's own Christopher Wright Durocher and Lindsay Langholz about recent developments in key states and about why we are likely to see increasingly extreme legislation attacking...2022-03-2258 min
Broken LawEpisode 39: Michigan's Secretary of State Sounds off on DemocracySecretaries of State (SoS) play a key role in preserving election security and access to the ballot. Voters will be casting ballots for their state's SoS in 27 states this year. But, just what is involved in being a SoS? And what should be made of the effort underway to pack these offices with proponents of "the Big Lie"? Lindsay Langholz speaks this week with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson about the importance of SoS and how listeners can support election integrity in their states. This episode is part of ACS's Run.Vote.Work. initiative, focused on increasing voter...2022-03-0120 min
Broken LawEpisode 32: We Need to Talk ElectionsThe battle over the 2022 midterm elections has already begun. Gerrymandering, packing of election offices, and new voter suppression laws are being leveraged to influence the results of the upcoming midterms before a single ballot is cast. Lindsay Langholz speaks with Michael Li and Elizabeth Howard from the Brennan Center for Justice about whether we are already in full crisis mode, how we got here, and what we do to protect voting rights and election integrity in the face of these anti-democratic challenges. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host...2022-01-1141 min
Broken LawEpisode 27: Roe on the BrinkOn December 1st, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the blockbuster abortion case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Org. Lindsay Langholz speaks with Gretchen Borchelt, Vice President for Reproductive Rights and Health at the National Women's Law Center, on this week's episode to break down the oral arguments and discuss what the future holds for reproductive rights and justice. Will the Court use Dobbs to overturn Roe v. Wade and nearly 50 years of precedent that clearly established the constitutional right to an abortion? What impact would that have, not just on the right to abortion but on other...2021-12-0753 min
Broken LawEpisode 22: Disability Law Is BrokenDisability law and policy is too often pushed to the edges of the legal field, left to folks from the disability community to both advocate for and navigate. But we know that these issues impact every aspect of our legal system and our collective daily lives. According to the Center for Disease Control, one in four adults has a disability in this country. How do we reform disability law so it actually achieves disability justice? Lindsay Langholz talks with Marissa Ditkowsky about the patchwork of laws that are too often treated as a ceiling instead of the floor when...2021-11-0242 min
Broken LawEpisode 14: Can We Save Reproductive Rights?Since the U.S. Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade in 1973, reproductive rights have never been more in peril than they are today, due to the make up of our highest court. How did we get here and what can be done to preserve abortion access in this new reality? Join Lindsay Langholz for her conversation with Julie Kay and Kathryn Kolbert, authors of the new book Controlling Women, as they discuss the evolution of abortion rights and break down the real forces at work in restricting access across the country. They answer the question, what can advocates and...2021-09-0743 min
Broken LawEpisode 12: Preparing for Redistricting, Bracing for GerrymanderingThe U.S. Census Bureau recently released data from the 2020 census, initiating the process of redrawing electoral maps in every state. This will be the first time that electoral maps are redrawn with the permission of the U.S. Supreme Court to gerrymander. What does this mean for our elections and for our democracy more broadly? Join Lindsay Langholz for her interview with Michael Li (李之樸), Senior Counsel at the Brennan Center, to answer these and other pressing questions about the census and redistricting. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host...2021-08-2441 min
Broken LawEpisode 7: Supreme Court Wrap UpThe U.S. Supreme Court recently concluded its 2020-2021 term, announcing a series of decisions in high profile cases related to voting rights, labor rights, and LGBTQ rights. ACS's Policy and Program team discuss several of the decisions and what they mean for the law going forward. The team will also look ahead to the Court's upcoming term and preview some of the more controversial cases on the docket. This is a great episode for listeners who are interested in learning more about the Supreme Court and why courts matter. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal...2021-07-2050 min
Broken LawEpisode 6: The Supreme Court vs Voting RightsThe U.S. Supreme Court dealt a major blow to voting rights in its recent 6-3 decision in Brnovich v. DNC. The Court's conservative majority upheld two Arizona voter suppression laws and gutted a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. Join Lindsay Langholz and Kat Calvin for a discussion about the impact of this decision and the Court's previous decision in Shelby County v. Holder. They discuss where the fight to protect voting rights goes from here and what listeners can do in their local communities. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw...2021-07-1339 min