Dome:Law, Legislation & Policy

Housed at Boston University School of Law, Dome is a valuable resource for news, analysis, and opinion on legislation and public policy. Dome is staffed by students of BU Law’s various legislation clinics. Dome features work contributed by staff members, scholars, practitioners, and law students interested in legislation and public policy.

Legislators of the Year 2015

By Sean J Kealy December 22nd, 2015 in Federal Legislation, Legislative Operations, Opinion

In our inaugural Legislator of the Year Award, the staff of Dome is pleased to recognize Rep. Elijah Cummings (D- MD) and Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI). Elijah Cummings Rep. Elijah Cummings really earned this award in April and May during and after the riots in his home town of Baltimore protesting the... More

Florida Legislature Passes Drone Privacy Bill

By Alexander Macheras August 13th, 2015 in Analysis, State Legislation

The FAA predicts that by 2030, the Unites States could see more than 30,000 drones filling its skies. Drone use by the government and private individuals alike has long been permitted in the United States for some time without significant regulation. However, state governments and privacy advocates have started to... More

Using 1115 Waivers to Fulfill the Affordable Care Act’s Promise

By Tim Murphy July 30th, 2015 in Analysis, Federal Legislation

In the last few months Montana has taken substantial steps toward joining Iowa, Arkansas, Michigan, and Indiana as states that are to fulfilling the promise of Affordable Care Act by expanding their Medicaid programs through special waivers. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was designed to drastically reduce the number of... More

But Do They Have Standing? The House and the ACA

By Tim Murphy July 30th, 2015 in Analysis, Federal Legislation, Legislation in Court

Over the last year a considerable amount of ink and column inches have been spent on the House of Representatives of the United States’ (the House) lawsuit over President Obama’s decision do delay enforcing portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). At least a portion of that ink was spent... More

Sad Display On Senate Floor

By Sean J Kealy July 27th, 2015 in Legislative Operations, Opinion

By: Special Correspondent Webster On July 24, 2015, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) brought Congress to a new low accusing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) of lying during a floor speech. Speaking about trade treaties and the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, a current Tea Party boogieman, Cruz publicly discussed several... More