Federalism: Friend or Foe? Federal & State Authority to Fight COVID-19
Federalism: Friend or Foe? Federal & State Authority to Fight COVID-19
Briefing Call
May 12, 2020
12:30 - 1:30 pm
Description
In the absence of a clear, national strategy to combat the COVID-19 health crisis, some state and local leaders closed schools and non-essential businesses, issued stay-at-home orders, mandated moratoriums on evictions, and dispensed emergency vouchers to help people buy food, while others initially resisted such actions. As the shutdown drags on and the economic impact of the pandemic becomes its own crisis, some are now deciding to lift their stay-at-home orders before others believe it is safe to do so. President Trump has claimed “total authority” to supersede state directives, while the Attorney General is considering litigation against governors who want to retain lockdowns longer than the administration believes necessary.
How does the Constitution divide decision-making authority in a public health crisis between the federal and state governments? Can the administration force states to follow its lead? What does the patchwork of state responses mean for our national recovery (both health and economic)? Ultimately, is our federal system an advantage or disadvantage in the fight against COVID-19?
Welcome:
Russ Feingold, President, ACS
Featured Speakers:
Aziz Huq, Frank and Bernice J. Greenberg Professor of Law, University of Chicago Law School, ACS Board of Directors
Miriam Seifter, Associate Professor of Law, University of Wisconsin Law School
Debra Perlin, Director of Policy & Program, ACS, Moderator
The American Constitution Society is a State Bar of California approved CLE provider. This event has been approved for 1 hour of California MCLE credit.