Letter from the Editor

• Author: Luke Bunting
• Position: Editor-in-Chief
• Pages: 1-2

Letter from the Editor

Dear Reader,

The Georgetown Journal of Law & Public Policy is proud to present the second

issue of Volume Twenty.

This issue contains a selection of articles from noted scholars and pr acti-

tioners grappling with timely topics. Thomas J. Molony explain s why Congress

does not have power under the Commerce Clause to enshrine a right to abortion

in federal law. In his second article for Volume 20, Seth Barrett Tillman defends

textualism from recent attacks on its neutrality and objectivity, contending

such criticisms apply equally to all interpretive methods. Jason Torchinsky and

Dennis W. Polio take a look at several states’ independent redistricting com-

missions to highlight the importance of accountability in their structure and use.

Stephen P. Halbook responds to recent claims about the Second Amendment by

providing a history of its enactment, ultimately demonstrating its purpose was to

protect libertyrather than to preserve slavery. Geoffrey S. Corn pulls frommilitary

law to propose imposing a heightened burden for proving consent in a traffic stop

setting, arguing such an approach better balances individual rights and the needs

of law enforcement. Longtime GJLPP contributor Paul J. Larkin returns with his

third Volume 20 article, asserting that key language in the Clean Water Act runs

afoul of the void-for-vagueness doctrine and offering three solutions for the

Supreme Court as it prepares to examine the law this upcoming term. Jennifer

Haskin Will offers a proposal for “time transparency,”suggesting that mandatory

disclosure of white-collar work hours could help reduce overly long workweeks

for exempt employees. Arthur G. Sapper concludes our selection of articles by

highlighting the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission’s failure to

provide statutorily-requirednotice of allegations of OSHAviolations and outlining

a solution to be enacted through a Commission rulemaking.

Following the articles are four student notes, including the second piece from the

new Tri-Journal Notes Exchange established by our journal, the New Yor k University

Journal of Law & Liberty, and the Texas Review of Law & Politics. GJLPP Managing

Editor Tina Seideman discusses recent attempts by the Executive Branch to avoid

oversight efforts by the minority party in Congress, proposing a framework for resolv-

ing this tension between the branches that both empowers the minority party and pre-

serves the separation of powers. GJLPP editor Kate Hardiman Rhodes surveys the

current state of election law jurisprudence and urges more widespread application of

the political question doctrine in place of the Anderson-Burdick balancing test. Haley

Peterson Denler looks to the use of presidential powers during early American pan-

demics for guidance on the proper scope of such powers today. Sophia Shams

researches the original public meaning of the Take Care Clause to illuminate the con-

tent and role of this oft-overlooked portion of our Constitution.

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