Report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO): July 9, 2025.
The federal budget deficit totaled $1.3 trillion in the first nine months of fiscal year 2025, CBO estimates. That amount is $65 billion more than the deficit recorded during the same period last fiscal year.
SUMMARY:
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.
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.
Introduction
The post referenced below is an adapted excerpt from “The ‘Seizure of Power’ 2025: An Historical Reflection,” authored by Professor Matthew W. Finkin, Research Professor of Law at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Originally delivered as a comprehensive lecture at Mander Hall in London on March 18, 2025, this version has been condensed and selectively edited for publication by Justia Verdict, where it appeared on June 5, 2025 .
In this incisive analysis, Professor Finkin draws a compelling historical parallel between actions undertaken by President Trump in 2025 and the early methods of consolidation used by the National Socialist regime in 1933. He examines significant developments such as the purging of civil servants, the creation of loyalty-driven structures like the Office of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and mounting judicial and institutional threats to underscore the risks surrounding democratic erosion in what he terms a possible “seizure of power.”
In his June 4, 2025 article for The Washington Post, technology columnist Geoffrey A. Fowler explores the capabilities of leading AI chatbots in comprehending and summarizing complex texts. Titled “5 AI bots took our tough reading test. One was smartest , and it wasn’t ChatGPT,” the piece details a comprehensive evaluation of five AI tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Meta AI, and Gemini across diverse domains including literature, law, health science, and politics. Fowler’s investigation reveals that while some AI responses were impressively insightful, others were notably flawed, highlighting the varying degrees of reliability among these tools. Notably, Claude emerged as the top performer, demonstrating consistent accuracy and depth of understanding across the tested subjects.css.washingtonpost.com+1washingtonpost.com+1
You can read the full article here: washingtonpost.com
Additional Information:
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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These News Briefs and Decision Summaries are from the the New Jersey State Bar Association. They are an exclusive benefit of the Association in partnership with the New Jersey Law Journal. A subscription may be necessary to access the full text of some of the items listed:
NEWS BRIEFS:
Legal Users Beware: Gen AI Models Can Be Less Secure Than Expected
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
FROM THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF LAW LIBRARIES (AALL)
Dear Colleagues, The American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) is deeply concerned by the recent dismissal of the Librarian of Congress and Register of Copyrights. As the head of the Library of Congress, home to the Law Library of Congress and one of the most important public institutions in the world, the Librarian of Congress plays a critical role in ensuring access to accurate, reliable, and nonpartisan legal and legislative information. This is an essential part of civic understanding and democratic governance.
The Library of Congress serves as the research arm of Congress, houses the U.S. Copyright Office, and maintains one of the most comprehensive collections of knowledge and culture worldwide. Its ongoing modernization and commitment to public access are especially important at a time when trustworthy information is increasingly at risk.
The Law Library of Congress is also a vital public institution. Its extensive collections include U.S. federal and state laws, legal materials from nearly every country, and documents from international and regional organizations. These resources help people understand legal systems in the United States and globally. The Law Library ensures this information is preserved, organized, and accessible to all.
The Register of Copyrights registers copyright claims, maintains public records, and administers U.S. copyright law. This position has long been nonpartisan and housed within the Library of Congress to uphold professional independence and public trust. Law library professionals are deeply concerned about the Register’s recent dismissal. An independent Copyright Office is essential to ensuring continued access to legal information, protecting intellectual property rights, and supporting the lawful use and sharing of copyrighted works. Removing the Register without transparency undermines the legal framework libraries, researchers, and the public rely on to access trusted and authenticated resources.
Librarians play a unique role in making complex information understandable and available. Among the many individuals and entities their work supports are the courts, legislatures, researchers, and the general public. These roles must be protected from undue external pressure. Undermining their independence threatens the stability and credibility of institutions that serve the public good.
AALL stands with our colleagues at the Library of Congress and across the legal profession who work every day to protect access to the law and are essential to supporting transparency, accountability, and justice. We reaffirm the principles that must guide appointments to positions of public trust: professional expertise, institutional independence, and a strong commitment to public service. We know our members are watching closely, and we share their concern. AALL remains committed to defending the integrity of public access to legal information and the professionals who make it possible.
Cornell H. Winston AALL President
Criminal Law Library Blog