Congressional Dish CD322: Last Quarter in Congress — Indefinite Detention, Regulation Murders & Empowered Trump Minions
Aug 30, 2025
This discussion dives into the alarming Lakin-Riley Act that allows indefinite detention of immigrants, exposing potential injustices. The effects of the controversial 'Big Beautiful Law' on rights and health benefits raise serious concerns. Highlights include the scrutiny of new Trump appointees, whose loyalties may favor corporate interests over public well-being. It covers deregulation measures impacting consumer protections and environmental standards, highlighting the stark partisan divides in recent legislative actions.
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Scale Of Regulatory Rollbacks
- Jen Briney highlights that nearly half of the 34 new laws in this Congress are regulatory rollbacks using the Congressional Review Act.
- This pattern reveals a focused effort to dismantle Biden-era regulations benefiting corporations and industry over consumers.
Indefinite Detention Expanded
- The Laken-Riley Act enables indefinite detention of legal immigrants and increases deportation threats for minor offenses.
- Briney connects the law to real cases and to private prison enrichment from these policies.
Big Law With Broad Harms
- The "One Big Beautiful" law authorizes indefinite federal detention while legal status is determined and restricts benefits and environmental protections.
- Briney calls it society-changing and emphasizes the need to study it for future repeal efforts.