What’s

Summary

2022-2023 has felt like multiple reality television episodes compacted into a never-ending, drama-filled year. No matter how much you try to unplug yourself from the media, breaking news of who broke up with who or another bill being proposed to the Senate made its way into our brains.

Roe v. Wade

On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, allowing states to ban abortion after 50 years of legal protection. As the U.S. criminalized abortion, other nations such as Columbia and Finland eased their restrictions. After Roe v. Wade was overturned, many feared that the right to same-sex marriage would be challenged when Justice Thomas urged the Court to reconsider past decisions such as Obergefell v. Hodges. The Respect for Marriage Act was introduced months later, protecting interracial and same-sex marriages on a federal level, regardless of those decisions were to be overturned in the future.

Student Debt

Forgiveness (On Hold)

In Aug. 2022, the Biden Administration created a plan for student debt cancellation. This forgiveness policy would cancel up to $20,000 in debt for students with federal student loans. However, shortly after its introduction, the policy was paused until further notice by the Court of Appeals due to legal challenges. Court hearings discussing the legal specificities of the plan are ongoing.