All Acts

Question 1

Affordable Care Act

Answer 1

Also known as “Obamacare,”
- Aaimed to expand health insurance coverage, prevent discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, and introduce the individual mandate requiring all citizens to have health insurance or face penalties.

• Controversial for its federal overreach and polarising among Democrats (supportive) and Republicans (opposed).

Question 2

DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents)

Answer 2

• Obama
• Extended deportation relief and work authorisation to undocumented parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who met specific criteria.
• Blocked by a federal court in 2015 after 26 states, led by Texas, challenged it.
• The SC deadlocked 4-4 in 2016, leaving the lower court’s decision to block DAPA in place.
• Never implemented.

Question 3

DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)

Answer 3

• Obama.
• Allowed certain undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children (known as “Dreamers”) to apply for protection from deportation and work authorisation.
• Critics argued it was executive overreach, bypassing Congress on immigration policy.

Question 4

No Child Left Behind Act (2002)

Answer 4

Expanded federal role in education through standardized testing and accountability measures.

Question 5

Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) (1996)

Answer 5

• Defined marriage federally as a union between one man and one woman.
• Declared unconstitutional in United States v. Windsor (2013) and later by Obergefell v. Hodges (2015).

Question 6

Patriot Act (2001)

Answer 6

• Passed after 9/11, expanded surveillance capabilities of federal agencies to combat terrorism.
• Criticised for infringing on civil liberties, sparking debates on the balance between security and rights.

Question 7

Voting Rights Act (1965)

Answer 7

• Prohibited racial discrimination in voting practices.
• Enforced federal oversight in states with a history of discriminatory practices.
• Parts of it (e.g., preclearance) were later struck down in Shelby County v. Holder (2013).

Question 8

Medicaid and Medicare (1965)

Answer 8

Created federally funded health insurance programs for the elderly (Medicare) and low-income individuals (Medicaid).

Question 9

Iran War Powers resolution

Answer 9

• TRUMP May 2020, vetoed Iran War Powers resolution
• A bipartisanship bill to suppress presidential authority over militant actions against Iran administered without congressional approval