Significant Laws Passed by Congress
No Child Left Behind Act (2002)
Under the 2002 law, states are required to test students in reading and math in grades 3–8 and once in high school
The major focus of No Child Left Behind is to close student achievement gaps by providing all children with a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education
The four pillars of the No Child Left Behind Act are the basic elements of the Act and what it was intended to improve upon
They are: accountability for results, unprecedented state and local flexibility and reduced red tape, focusing resources on proven educational methods, and expanded choices for parents
Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (1993)
Mandated federal background checks on firearm purchasers in the United States, and imposed a five-day waiting period on purchases
It was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on November 30, 1993, and the law went into effect on February 28, 1994
The Act was named after James Brady, who was shot and wounded by John Hinckley Jr. during an attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981
An Act to provide for a waiting period before the purchase of a handgun, and for the establishment of a national instant criminal background check system to be contacted by firearms dealers before the transfer of any firearm
CARES: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (2020)
To provide emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families, and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
$2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by the 116th U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 27, 2020, in response to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
Unprecedented in size and scope,[9] the legislation was the largest economic stimulus package in U.S. history
USA PATRIOT: Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (2001)
The USA PATRIOT Act was a landmark Act of the United States Congress, signed into law by President George W. Bush
The Patriot Act was enacted following the September 11 attacks and the 2001 anthrax attacks with the stated goal of dramatically tightening U.S. national security, particularly as it related to foreign terrorism
In general, the act included three main provisions:
Expanded surveillance abilities of law enforcement, including by tapping domestic and international phones;
Easier interagency communication to allow federal agencies to more effectively use all available resources in counterterrorism efforts; and
Increased penalties for terrorism crimes and an expanded list of activities which would qualify for terrorism charges.
The law is controversial due to its authorization of indefinite detention without trial of immigrants, and due to the permission given to law enforcement to search property and records without a warrant, consent, or knowledge
Since its passage, several legal challenges have been brought against the act, and federal courts have ruled that a number of provisions are unconstitutional