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The legislative branch of the United States government (embodied in Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate) is the cornerstone of the federal lawmaking process and a central pillar of the constitutional system of checks and balances. Through its exclusive powers to enact laws, oversee the executive branch, and shape national policy, Congress functions within a broader framework of shared authority known as the separation of powers.

In this posting, we explore key questions surrounding the legislative process, followed by overviews of congressional powers beyond lawmaking, the practical operation of separation of powers, and the exercise of war powers in a divided government. Our goal is to provide material that will be useful to law and legislative librarians, the legal profession at large, and anyone whose work or civic responsibilities require engagement with these fundamental issues.

I. Lawmaking Authority

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In a timely and thought-provoking piece published in the Criminal Justice Magazine (Spring 2025), Richard Alan Ginkowski, a judge, and legal educator who has contributed to American Bar Association publications, urges legal professionals and advocates to take a closer look at an often-overlooked resource: their own state constitutions. His article, titled “Your State Has a Constitution. Why Not Use It?,” appears in the Spring 2025 issue of Criminal Justice Magazine, a publication of the ABA’s Criminal Justice Section.

Ginkowski’s analysis highlights how state constitutions, often richer in individual rights and more flexible than their federal counterpart, can serve as powerful tools in advancing criminal justice reform, protecting civil liberties, and shaping legal strategy. By drawing attention to recent judicial decisions and emerging advocacy trends, the article reminds practitioners that when federal remedies fall short, state constitutional claims may offer a compelling alternative.

This article is essential reading for anyone involved in litigation, policymaking, or public interest advocacy, offering a fresh perspective on how to reinvigorate the use of state-level constitutional law in the pursuit of justice.

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Introduction

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the legal profession, influencing how attorneys conduct research, draft briefs, analyze litigation risk, and advise clients. As AI tools like generative language models, legal search platforms, and predictive analytics systems become more prevalent, AI literacy has become essential for legal professionals. Law librarians, long recognized for their expertise in research instruction, information curation, and professional ethics, are well positioned to take the lead in promoting AI literacy across the legal ecosystem.

This paper examines the role law librarians should play in fostering AI understanding, outlines strategies for advancing AI literacy, and identifies the challenges and opportunities involved.

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Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Report, June 5, 2025.

CBO estimates that debt-service costs under H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, would total $551 billion over the 2025–2034 period—increasing the bill’s cumulative effect on the deficit to $3.0 trillion.

Summary:

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In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping the legal landscape, understanding its practical applications becomes essential for modern practitioners. Carolyn Elefant, a seasoned attorney and founder of MyShingle.com, offers a compelling firsthand account of this evolution. In her timely article, “My Experience Comparing Lexis and ChatGPT Deep Research,” published on May 20, 2025, Elefant delves into a real world comparison between traditional legal research tools and emerging AI driven solutions. Her insights shed light on the efficiencies and challenges presented by these technologies, providing valuable perspectives for legal professionals navigating this transformative period.

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My Experience Comparing Lexis and ChatGPT Deep Research

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Inspired by Axios’s “Behind the Curtain: A White-Collar Bloodbath” (May 28, 2025)

Dario Amodei, cofounder and CEO of Anthropic, is issuing an urgent warning: advanced artificial intelligence may soon pose a serious threat to millions of white-collar jobs. While today’s AI systems, like Anthropic’s own Claude and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, are currently seen as productivity boosters, Amodei cautions that this could quickly change as models become dramatically more powerful.

In internal presentations recently shared with government officials, Amodei projected that future AI models, potentially arriving in the early 2030s, could be capable of performing 80 to 90% of tasks typically handled by college educated professionals. These include jobs in legal research, finance, marketing, and customer service. For example, AI tools are already being deployed to automate paralegal tasks and financial analysis; and some early adopter companies are replacing portions of their human customer support teams with large language model (LLM) chatbots.

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From article by Chris Smith, published in BGR on May 22, 2025.

In this post, we are sharing insights from the Chris Smith article referenced below, as it highlights what is widely recognized as the next critical trend in real world AI applications, including AI wearables.

ABSTRACT:

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Opening Statement:

In a democracy founded on the rule of law, the independence of the legal profession is not merely a professional concern, it is a public necessity. Recent events involving unprecedented attempts to target a prominent law firm highlight the critical intersection between the role of lawyers and the constitutional limits on presidential power. Understanding this moment requires not only examining the specific facts but appreciating the broader principles at stake: free speech, access to counsel, and the preservation of democratic governance against executive overreach.

Introduction

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To those of us who have benefited from SLA membership, this announcement is sad news. After 116 years of dedicated service to information professionals and specialized librarians, the Special Libraries Association (SLA) has announced its decision to initiate a dissolution process. The global organization, known for its unwavering support in the field, has been a cornerstone for professionals seeking specialized knowledge and resources. This marks the end of an era for the profession as we reflect on the significant contributions and impact the SLA has had over more than a century.

Announcement of SLA dissolution:

The Special Libraries Association (SLA), a global organization dedicated to supporting information professionals and specialized librarians, has announced it will begin a dissolution process after 116 years of service to the profession.

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This posting consists of commentary on  Roger Citron’s article, Judge Wilkinson’s Dualist Opinion in Abrego Garcio v. Noem: Judicial Review of Executive Action in a Transformative Time,  amplified with information from additional sources related to Bruce Ackerman’s theory of the United States as a dualist democracy.

In his article, Roger Citron revisits Bruce Ackerman’s theory of the United States as a dualist democracy, presenting a timely analysis of how this framework sheds light on current constitutional tensions. Through a close reading of Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III’s opinion in Abrego Garcia v. Noem, Citron suggests we may be witnessing an effort at higher lawmaking—a constitutional transformation driven not just by legal arguments, but by political and public realignment.

Ackerman’s concept of dualist democracy, introduced in We the People: Foundations, distinguishes between two modes of governance (Bruce Ackerman, We the People: Foundations 6–8 (1991),

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