Hatch Act, 1939
Limits political activities of civil service employees
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title II bans discrimination in public places on basis of race, color, national origin, or religion.
Title VII:
� Prohibits employment discrimination on basis of all of the above plus sex.
� Allows employers to give racial preferences in hiring.
� Executi
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Suspended literacy tests.
Empowered federal officials to register voters.
Empowered federal officials to ensure that citizens could vote.
Empowered federal officials to count ballots.
Prohibited states from changing voting procedures without federal permi
Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 1967
Bans age discrimination for jobs unless age is related to job performance.
Air Quality Act, 1967 and various Clean Air Acts, 1960s-1990s
Established emissions standards for cars and factories. Established minimum standards for states.
Federal Election Campaign Acts, 1971-1974
Created FEC. Required disclosure of contributions and expenditures. Provided limitations on contributions and presidential election expenditures. Provided subsidies for presidential candidates.
Title IX of Education Act of 1972
Prohibited gender discrimination in federally subsidized education programs.
War Powers Act, 1973
President could send troops overseas to an area where hostilities were imminent only if:
� He notified Congress within 48 hours.
� He withdrew troops within 60-90 days.
� He consulted with Congress if troops were to engage in combat
Freedom of Information Act, 1974
Allows public access to non-classified federal documents
Budget and Impoundment Control Act, 1974
Established congressional budget committees.
Established CBO.
Extended budget process by three months.
Allows either house to override temporary impoundment (deferral).
Automatically voids permanent impoundment (rescission) unless both houses approve with
Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Bill, 1985
Set gradual budget reduction targets to lead to a balanced budget.
Across-the-board budget cuts (sequestering of funds) to kick in if targets not met.
Loopholes -> abandonment in late 80s.
Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990
Bans Job Discrimination against disabled if "reasonable accommodation" can be made. Requires access to facilities for handicapped.
National Voter Registration Bill ("Motor Voter Act"), 1993
Requires states to allow people to register to vote when applying for driver's licenses applications or completing license renewal forms.
Religious Freedom Restoration Act, 1993
Restored compelling purpose guideline for courts to use when states restrict religious liberty. Struck down by Supreme Court in Boerne v. Flores
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
� Requires CBO to analyze impact of unfunded mandates on states.
� Requires separate congressional vote on bills that impose unfunded mandates.
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (Welfare Reform Act of 1996)
� Ended federal entitlement status of welfare.
� In its place, federal govt. gave block grants to states to administer welfare.
� "Strings" attached to these grants:
1. Recipients must work within 2 years.
2. Recipients cannot receive benefits for more th
Communications Decency Act (CDA), 1997
Prohibited circulations of "indecent" material on Internet to minors. Struck down by Supreme Court.
No Child Left behind Act, 2001
States must adopt education accountability standards.
States must annually test students.
Sanctions against schools that fail to meet adequate yearly progress.
USA Patriot Act, 2001
Strengthens the federal government's power to conduct surveillance, perform searches, and detain individuals in order to combat terrorism.
McCain-Feingold Bill (Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002)
� Raised hard money limits to $2000
� Banned soft money contributions to national political parties