By The Topics

Searching for a truly neutral source to understand presidential candidates' positions? ChatPolicy is your all-in-one solution! Picture this: You're curious about a candidate's stance on, say, healthcare. Instead of drowning in a sea of confusing articles, you just ask ChatPolicy, receiving an unbiased response in seconds. It's that simple. ChatPolicy helps you learn about presidential candidates like you're talking to a super-smart (and totally unbiased) friend. A friend who just so happens to be an expert on presidential candidates! Dig into candidate voting records, analyze their promises, and compare candidates side-by-side - all without bias. ChatPolicy analyzes voting records, presidential speeches, and political documents that belong to candidates, precisely describing their stances on a variety of topics. Easily discover which candidates align with your values. Want to know how a candidate voted on that bill everyone's talking about? Curious if a candidate's actions match their words? We'll help you connect those dots. Ready to become a political pro? Try ChatPolicy at bythetopics.com/chat #president #presiden2024 #presidentialelection #presidentialcandidates #presidentialcandidate #politicaleducation #politics #policy #vote #voting #election #yourvoicematters #electionresearch #civicengagement

As we reflect on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter at age 100, let’s examine five key decisions from his presidency (1977-1981) that continue to shape American policy and life today. While Carter's single term faced significant challenges, many of his initiatives laid the groundwork for issues we're still grappling with in modern America. ⑴ Energy Policy (1977) Carter established the Department of Energy as a cabinet-level agency, responding to the energy crisis of the 1970s. His energy initiatives: ? Carter set an ambitious goal for solar energy to provide one-fifth of America's power needs — a target we're still working toward today ? Promoted energy conservation and research into renewable sources ?⑵ The Camp David Accords (1978) Carter's most celebrated diplomatic achievement was brokering peace between Israel and Egypt. The Camp David Accords led to the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab nation, fundamentally reshaping Middle East diplomacy. This historic agreement: ? Established a framework for lasting peace in the Middle East ? The agreements strengthened U.S. diplomatic and economic ties with both Israel and Egypt ? Earned widespread international recognition as a landmark diplomatic achievement ⑶ Environmental Protection Legacy (1980)? In his landmark final year in office, Carter enacted a significant conservation law, The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (ANILCA): ? Protected 100+ million acres of pristine wilderness for future generations (an area larger than the state of California) ? Doubled the size of America's National Park System overnight ? Created comprehensive environmental protection frameworks still used today ⑷ Government Diversity Initiative (1977-1981) Throughout his presidency, Carter transformed federal government representation through unprecedented appointments and programs: ? Set a record in 1977 with 40+ women and minority federal judge appointments ? Appointed Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the federal bench as part of his broader initiative to diversify the federal judiciary. ⑸ Human Rights (1977-1981) Under Carter's administration, human rights moved from the sidelines to the center of American foreign policy. His initiatives fundamentally changed how the U.S. approaches human rights globally: ? Made human rights a central focus of U.S. foreign policy ? Established the Bureau of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs in the State Department While Carter served just one term, his presidency made lasting contributions to American government and policy that remain relevant to today's challenges. #JimmyCarter #PresidentCarter #CarterLegacy #Politics #PoliticalEducation #USHistory #PoliticalHistory #CampDavidAccords #RenewableEnergy? #HumanRights #Diversity #Conservation #Energy

Recent reports from HUD, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, reveal an unprecedented 18.1% surge in U.S. homelessness in 2024, with over 770,000 Americans experiencing homelessness - the highest recorded since federal counting began in 2007. The crisis has hit families particularly hard, with family homelessness increasing by nearly 40% nationwide. ?? Let's examine one of the major legislative solutions proposed to address homelessness. In June 2023, Rep. Maxine Waters of #California introduced the Ending Homelessness Act (?? H.R. 4232). The bill is still in its early stages - it needs to pass through committee review before it can be voted on by the full House of Representatives, and would then need Senate approval to become law. If passed, the bill would:? ? Dramatically expand rental assistance by providing housing vouchers to 500,000 additional low-income families in 2024? ? Create more affordable housing by investing $1 billion annually in the Housing Trust Fund? ? Fund local solutions by providing $1 billion yearly in emergency grants to communities with the highest rates of homelessness As the homelessness crisis continues to worsen, recent data is showing critical concerns: ?? Nearly 150,000 children experienced homelessness on a single night in 2024 ?? 13 communities saw family homelessness more than double across cities such as #Chicago, #Denver, and #NewYorkCity ?? Housing costs and natural disasters are contributing to increased homelessness rates The proposed legislation aims to address these challenges through permanent supportive housing requirements and by prioritizing communities that adopt policies to increase affordable housing access. ?? Learn more about this bill and explore other proposed solutions to the homeless crisis at: https://lnkd.in/e55CGk7F #HomelessnessCrisis #HousingCrisis #AffordableHousing #Congress #CA #Cali #NYC #NewYork #HUDgov #Congress #HR4232 #Housing #PublicPolicy #FederalPolicy #HomelessnessAwareness #HousingJustice #HousingFirst #EndHomelessness #RentalAssistance #SupportiveHousing #HousingInsecurity #FamilyHomelessness #HousingPolicy #CommunityDevelopment #UrbanPolicy #KnowYourReps #CivicEngagement #PolicyMatters #PoliticalEducation #Democracy #ByTheTopics

Family Detention Centers Set to Return in 2025 - Trump's newly appointed border czar Tom Homan has unveiled plans to reinstate controversial immigration detention policies, marking a dramatic shift in U.S. border enforcement. The former ICE director announced that parents with children will be held in "soft-sided" tent facilities, reversing the Biden administration's 2021 decision to end family detention. The announcement sets up a direct collision with civil rights organizations and puts undocumented parents of U.S.-born children in a stark position: leave the country with their children or face family separation. Homan defended the approach, stating "You knew you were in the country illegally and chose to have a child. So you put your family in that position." The policy would require constructing new detention facilities, though the exact scale remains undefined. While prioritizing "targeted" enforcement over widespread sweeps, the plan also includes resuming workplace raids and reinstating the "Remain in Mexico" program - both discontinued under Biden. The ACLU has already signaled its intent to challenge aspects of the plan. The House vote on the Secure Border Act of 2023 (H.R.2) offers insight into how Congress has recently approached similar immigration enforcement policies. The bill, which passed by a narrow margin of 219-213, contained comparable provisions on border security, asylum reform, and detention policies that mirror many of the measures now being proposed for 2025. By examining voting records on bills like H.R.2, voters can better understand their representatives' stances on immigration enforcement and family detention policies. https://lnkd.in/exu5c6d9 #BorderPolicy #Immigration #HR2 #BorderSecurity #FamilyDetention #ImmigrationReform #Congress #BorderCzar #ImmigrationLaw #USBorder #AsylumReform #BorderNews #USPolitics #VoterInfo #CongressVotes #Trump2024 #Trump #Biden #TrumpBorderPolicy #BidenBorderPolicy #ImmigrationNews #BorderEnforcement

The Biden administration has just rolled out another $4.28 billion in student loan forgiveness, adding to a total of nearly $180 billion in relief that has helped approximately 5 million borrowers. ??This latest action represents a significant step in addressing the student debt crisis that affects millions of Americans pursuing their educational dreams. ??Student loan debt has become one of the biggest financial burdens on American families, impacting everything from housing choices to career decisions. This relief program is designed to ease that burden, potentially freeing up money that graduates can put toward other life goals like starting businesses, buying homes, or investing in their futures. ?? Looking ahead, more solutions are being proposed in Congress. Representative Michael Lawler has introduced the Affordable Loans for Students Act (H.R. 10159), which would dramatically lower federal student loan interest rates to just 1%. This could make higher education more accessible for future students while reducing the long-term debt burden. ??To learn more about the Affordable Loans for Students Act and other bills related to student debt relief, visit:? https://lnkd.in/er3v52Ce #StudentLoans #StudentDebt #HigherEducation #Congress #Education #StudentLoanForgiveness #CollegeAffordability #StudentLoanRelief #FinancialFreedom #Politics #PolicyMatters #VoteSmarter #PoliticalEducation #Democracy #BillWatch #StudentSuccess #EducationPolicy #CollegeLife #StudentLife #FutureOfEducation

In a groundbreaking move, Starbucks is setting a new standard for parental leave in American retail. ?? In a statement from CEO Brian Nichol, “Birth parents will receive up to 18 weeks of fully paid leave, and non-birth parents will receive up to 12 weeks of leave at full pay.” This policy, taking effect in March 2025, far exceeds the norm for U.S. retail companies, where paid parental leave is often minimal or nonexistent. ?? This development highlights the stark contrast in parental leave policies across America (swipe to see comparisons).? While Starbucks joins companies like Chipotle (12 weeks) in expanding benefits, the U.S. remains the only developed nation without federally mandated paid parental leave. But, some representatives are trying to change that. ?? For example, Senator Marco Rubio's "New Parents Act" aims to address this gap by allowing parents to receive paid leave benefits by using a portion of their Social Security benefits in exchange. ?? Meanwhile, other countries have long prioritized family support (view images for comparisons). ?? Want to learn more about how U.S. legislators are addressing this gap? Check out the details of the New Parents Act and other parental leave legislation at BytheTopics.com ?? https://lnkd.in/emRe-HJK #ParentalLeave, #WorkLifeBalance, #StarbucksNews, #WorkplaceEquality, #PaidLeave, #FamilyBenefits, #WorkersRights, #CorporatePolicy, #WorkingParents, #FamilyLeave, #RetailJobs, #WorkplaceCulture, #ParentalRights, #WorkplaceInnovation, #FamilyFriendly, #HRPolicy, #EmployeeBenefits, #WorkplaceWellness, #CorporateCulture, #USPolicy, #FamilyPolicy, #VoterEducation

??Big changes are coming to TikTok in America. A federal court just confirmed that TikTok must either cut ties with its Chinese owners or stop operating in the US. This affects everyone who uses TikTok - that's 150 million Americans, including creators who make a living on the app. If nothing changes, TikTok could disappear from US phones after January 19, 2025. Congress passed a new law called the ?? Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act with strong support from both parties. The vote wasn't even close - 352 members of Congress voted ? YES, while only 65 voted ? NO. The law gives TikTok's parent company ByteDance a choice: sell TikTok's US operations or leave the US market entirely. So far, ByteDance has said they won't sell. What does this mean for TikTok users? If ByteDance doesn't sell, you won't be able to download or update TikTok anymore, and eventually, the app won't work in the US at all. This is the first time the US has taken such strong action against a foreign social media app, marking a major shift in how America handles foreign tech companies. ?? To see how every member of Congress voted on TikTok’s future, visit: https://lnkd.in/eE8sjX9u #TikTokBan #TikTokNews #ByteDance #Congress #Politics #TechNews #SocialMedia #DigitalPrivacy #USPolitics #TikTokUS #TikTokCommunity #CreatorEconomy #TikTokCreator #TechPolicy #NationalSecurity #ByTheTopics

Recent discussions about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her comments on denied insurance claims being an "act of violence" have sparked intense debate about health care access in America. Her recent statements about insurance denials and their impact on American families have drawn attention to her position on health care policy. ?? Let's look at her voting record on recent health care legislation. The 118th congressional record shows AOC's support for two significant health care bills. She voted in favor of the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act of 2023 (?? House Bill No. 485). ? This legislation aims to prevent federal health programs from using quality-adjusted life years to determine care value, meaning insurance companies can't discount coverage based on disability, age, or terminal illness - a significant protection for vulnerable patients facing insurance denials. ? She also supported the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act (?? House Bill No. 5378), demonstrating her commitment to making health care costs more transparent for Americans. This bill requires health care providers and insurers to be upfront about costs and establishes requirements for certain payment methodologies under Medicare and Medicaid. Both bills align with her recent statements about improving health care access and preventing financial hardship from medical costs. ?? Learn more about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's voting record and these bills at: https://lnkd.in/g8QEcgVg #AOC, #HealthcareReform, #MedicareForAll, #HealthcareAccess, #InsuranceReform, #PublicHealth, #Congress, #HealthPolicy, #Healthcare, #PatientRights, #MedicalBills, #HealthInsurance

Today, we honor the dedication and sacrifice of America's veterans. Thank you for your service in defending our democratic institutions and the freedoms we exercise every day. At By The Topics, we remain committed to providing clear, nonpartisan information about our democracy. To all veterans and their families: we are grateful for your service. #VeteransDay2024 #ThankYouVeterans

Every election is a chance to shape tomorrow. Whether it's your 1st time voting or your 50th, you're part of a powerful tradition of citizens working to build a better future. Let's move forward together. #ElectionDay, #Politics, #CivicEngagement, #ByTheTopics