Columnists

• The bipartisan JAWBONE Act has been proposed to prevent government officials from using explicit or implied threats to influence the content published by broadcasters and major online platforms. • The legislation aims to protect the spirit of the First Amendment by curbing government pressure on private media entities. • Critics argue the Act would create significant fiscal and legal burdens, including the need for new federal administrative processes and increased compliance costs.

• The Supreme Court issued a landmark decision on Tuesday affirming that children born in the United States automatically acquire birthright citizenship. • The ruling upholds the interpretation of the 14th Amendment, reinforcing a legal precedent established by an 1898 case involving the child of Chinese guest workers. • The decision was notably close, with Justice Kavanaugh offering a tenuous argument suggesting the court should not have been bound by the century-old precedent.

• The reemergence of Ebola has highlighted the dangerous consequences of the United States withdrawing from global medical research and health initiatives. • This retreat significantly weakens critical infrastructure, including disease surveillance, contact tracing, the staffing of isolation facilities, and the deployment of diagnostic testing. • The lack of US involvement hinders the research and development of new vaccines and treatments, as well as the distribution of essential medical supplies and humanitarian relief.