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Student loan default rates are a major problem for many students. In fact, according to a recent analysis from the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), millions of Americans have fallen behind on their student loans. This data reveals that nearly 42.4 million people in the U.S. owed at least $1.3 trillion in federal student loans by the end of 2016. Since then, the average amount owed per borrower has increased by at least 17 percent. Under the previous administration, however, students were

No one in their right mind would challenge the importance of primary elections. So, if the first stage of the public election process in closed primary states, like Oregon, doesn't let independent voters participate at all, how can independent voters possibly have an equal right to vote? That’s the question being addressed by two Oregon legislators. In Oregon, 27.7% of registered voters have chosen not to join a party. But, because they have chosen not to join a party, they’re not allowed to

The perception in Washington is that if one side is for something, the other side will stand against it. From health care to immigration reform to job creation and more, the partisan establishments on both sides of the aisle could not appear further apart. Yet if there is one issue that the political elite in Washington can agree on it is the expansion of the surveillance state, even at the risk of Americans' privacy. Democrats and Republicans have jointly taken several actions in modern histor

It has been a rough year so far for the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). The group, which organizes the fall presidential debates and determines who will appear on the debate stage, may finally be forced to change its ways. In February, Judge Tanya S. Chutkan of the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. ruled against the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the government body tasked with regulating groups like the CPD, in Level the Playing Field, et al v. FEC. Chutkan reasoned that the

It has long been a complaint of the American people that the Washington establishment, the political elite in our nation's capital, are out of touch with the American public. There are a couple of reasons why this is, but one of the biggest problems is hyper-partisanship blinds them to the plight of many of their constituents. Case and point: On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz responded to a question about people calling her office to express their concern over the rise in health c

Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s "Stop Arming Terrorists Act" has garnered support in the Senate from someone with a history of arguing for legislation that pushes a more "non-interventionist" foreign policy in the face of the current political establishment -- U.S. Sen. Rand Paul. This is the latest development in IVN's continued coverage of the bipartisan legislation, which seeks to end American taxpayer funding of “weapons, training, and intelligence support to groups like the Levant Front, F

Some legislators in Arkansas are joining the fight for a more open and transparent political process that includes all voters regardless of their party affiliation, or lack thereof. On March 1, State Representative Dan Douglas (R) introduced HB1766, which would institute what the bill calls a "nonpartisan blanket primary" system, by amending the state’s election code. The bill was co-sponsored by Representative Clarke Tucker (D), giving it bipartisan support in the House. The blanket primary p

As President Trump seeks to add $54 billion to the military budget, the partisan debate over military spending is renewed once again. The right has often criticized the Obama administration as "decimating the military," while others argue that we still have by far the biggest and most powerful military in the world. Is there truth betwixt the pointing fingers? As Philip Ewing of NPR observes, "It's complicated. Pentagon leaders bristle at the idea their force has been 'gutted' or is a 'disaster

A surprising new bipartisan bill surfaced this week, brought forth by a bipartisan team of lawmakers, giving pot supporters a new reason to light up. Rep. Thomas Garrett (R-Va.) introduced H.R. 1227, the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2017. The bill would allow states to fully dictate the way they handle both medical and recreational marijuana policy without risk of intervention by the federal government. Garrett is joined by U.S. Reps Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), Scott Taylor (R-Va.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tasxOsIjIPw The most emotional and impactful moment from Donald Trump's speech before a joint session in Congress Tuesday night was when President Trump honored fallen Navy SEAL William "Ryan" Owens and his wife, Carryn Owens. "Ryan's legacy is etched into eternity," said Trump. In one of the few moments during the night, nearly every seat was vacated as lawmakers and those in attendance stood to give Owens' widow a standing ovation. Carryn was brought to tears