Mary Beth Williams
@mbwilliams.bsky.social
Made from Maine Wabanakiak, Isles of Shoals fishermen, and Welsh coal miners. Oregon transplant. Constitutional law and state/tribal/fed gov't wonk (JD). North Atlantic historian obsessed with wampum, cod fishing, and dual-host pathogens.
Pinned
If you believe climate change is an existential threat, then don't support any Democratic member of Congress who advocates for:
1. Generative AI
2. Cryptocurrency mining
3. Indoor cannabis cultivation
unless they can immediately point to a detailed plan to make said activity carbon neutral.
1. Generative AI
2. Cryptocurrency mining
3. Indoor cannabis cultivation
unless they can immediately point to a detailed plan to make said activity carbon neutral.
Here is the version of the SAVE Act that passed the House yesterday. The current version is not the same as Chip Roy's HR 22, passed last year, or his HR 7296, introduced on 1/30/2026.
rules.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
rules.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
rules.house.gov
February 12, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Here is the version of the SAVE Act that passed the House yesterday. The current version is not the same as Chip Roy's HR 22, passed last year, or his HR 7296, introduced on 1/30/2026.
rules.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
rules.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
In case anyone's wondering how Jeff Bezos feels about climate policy these days, the Washington Post editorial board just heartily endorsed Trump ripping up the EPA's "endangerment finding," which allows the federal government to regulate greenhouse gases as pollutants.
February 11, 2026 at 6:01 PM
In case anyone's wondering how Jeff Bezos feels about climate policy these days, the Washington Post editorial board just heartily endorsed Trump ripping up the EPA's "endangerment finding," which allows the federal government to regulate greenhouse gases as pollutants.
Is Bondi angling for Secretary Bessent's job now?
February 11, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Is Bondi angling for Secretary Bessent's job now?
There is a very narrow exception, called a Bivens actions, where federal agents can be sued; but SCOTUS doesn't like using it because they argue Congress should be making law, not them. This bill completely addresses that, expanding 42 USC 1983 to federal employees.
February 11, 2026 at 4:44 PM
There is a very narrow exception, called a Bivens actions, where federal agents can be sued; but SCOTUS doesn't like using it because they argue Congress should be making law, not them. This bill completely addresses that, expanding 42 USC 1983 to federal employees.
Unlike state and local LEOs, ICE agents cannot be sued by individuals for violating their Constitutional and federal rights. And yes, causing injuries while deliberately chasing someone is a 4thA violation. Demand Congress pass S3186, making ICE/CBP goons liable and ending qualified immunity.
www.congress.gov
February 11, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Unlike state and local LEOs, ICE agents cannot be sued by individuals for violating their Constitutional and federal rights. And yes, causing injuries while deliberately chasing someone is a 4thA violation. Demand Congress pass S3186, making ICE/CBP goons liable and ending qualified immunity.
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
There seems to be some confusion about the SAVE America Act. If it becomes law, you will NOT be able to vote with your drivers license alone.
You’d need:
You’d need:
February 10, 2026 at 6:23 PM
There seems to be some confusion about the SAVE America Act. If it becomes law, you will NOT be able to vote with your drivers license alone.
You’d need:
You’d need:
You also must present your citizenship documents IN PERSON at your election office. In many places, especially in the West, counties run elections and there are huge counties which take hours driving across. It will be a huge burden for many to register—old, disabled, working 9-5, etc.
February 11, 2026 at 3:50 PM
You also must present your citizenship documents IN PERSON at your election office. In many places, especially in the West, counties run elections and there are huge counties which take hours driving across. It will be a huge burden for many to register—old, disabled, working 9-5, etc.
Tell Schumer to amend S 3186 to any DHS funding. Allow personal lawsuits against federal agents and end qualified immunity. This is accountability.
If you want ICE and CBP to have accountability, demand Congress pass S. 3186. TLDR: The act would expand the right of individuals to file lawsuits for violations of the Constitution and federal law and would end qualified immunity. www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...
February 11, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Tell Schumer to amend S 3186 to any DHS funding. Allow personal lawsuits against federal agents and end qualified immunity. This is accountability.
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
I wish reporters would push back on these claims that even if that's true, those aren't valid for SAVE act purposes
Markwayne Mullin defends "show me your papers": "If you're here legally, there's nothing to hide. Most people already are walking around with a government-issued ID, meaning your Real ID or your driver's license. If you go board a train here, you gotta show your ID."
February 11, 2026 at 2:16 PM
I wish reporters would push back on these claims that even if that's true, those aren't valid for SAVE act purposes
My youngest (now 23) has dyscalculia. She went directly from middle school to our flagship university (local), where she took all the available astronomy classes (3) and aced them. But she wasn't able to pass calculus, so there went her dream of astrophysics. Instead, she's on her seventh language.
February 11, 2026 at 2:03 AM
My youngest (now 23) has dyscalculia. She went directly from middle school to our flagship university (local), where she took all the available astronomy classes (3) and aced them. But she wasn't able to pass calculus, so there went her dream of astrophysics. Instead, she's on her seventh language.
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
"Women have been mapping the world for centuries – and now they’re speaking up for the people left OUT of those maps"
theconversation.com/women-have-b... AND
coffeewithclaude.com/post.php?slu...
#GISchat ⚒️ 🧪 🌊
theconversation.com/women-have-b... AND
coffeewithclaude.com/post.php?slu...
#GISchat ⚒️ 🧪 🌊
Women have been mapping the world for centuries – and now they’re speaking up for the people left out of those maps
Women have moved from mapmakers using their bodies to depict maps to being leaders shaping the field of cartography.
theconversation.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:56 PM
"Women have been mapping the world for centuries – and now they’re speaking up for the people left OUT of those maps"
theconversation.com/women-have-b... AND
coffeewithclaude.com/post.php?slu...
#GISchat ⚒️ 🧪 🌊
theconversation.com/women-have-b... AND
coffeewithclaude.com/post.php?slu...
#GISchat ⚒️ 🧪 🌊
There are three versions of the SAVE Act, 2 in the House, 1 in the Senate. Each has different restrictions on mail in registration and/or mail in voting. There is a push to incorporate all three bills if one of them passes, so I would get familiar with all of them.
February 10, 2026 at 10:15 PM
There are three versions of the SAVE Act, 2 in the House, 1 in the Senate. Each has different restrictions on mail in registration and/or mail in voting. There is a push to incorporate all three bills if one of them passes, so I would get familiar with all of them.
rules.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
The Act institutes requirements generally left up to states under the Elections Clause. But it has much bigger problems.
Sec 4 likely violates anti-commandeering doctrine, as expressed in Printz v. US and NY v. US.
It bars registration of eligible citizens.
The Act institutes requirements generally left up to states under the Elections Clause. But it has much bigger problems.
Sec 4 likely violates anti-commandeering doctrine, as expressed in Printz v. US and NY v. US.
It bars registration of eligible citizens.
rules.house.gov
February 10, 2026 at 10:03 PM
rules.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
The Act institutes requirements generally left up to states under the Elections Clause. But it has much bigger problems.
Sec 4 likely violates anti-commandeering doctrine, as expressed in Printz v. US and NY v. US.
It bars registration of eligible citizens.
The Act institutes requirements generally left up to states under the Elections Clause. But it has much bigger problems.
Sec 4 likely violates anti-commandeering doctrine, as expressed in Printz v. US and NY v. US.
It bars registration of eligible citizens.
Murkowski likely recognized the huge burden it would place on rural voters (much of her state) to register to vote. Registering can only be done IN PERSON.
February 10, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Murkowski likely recognized the huge burden it would place on rural voters (much of her state) to register to vote. Registering can only be done IN PERSON.
Recall that while federal agents cannot be sued under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, state and local law enforcement can be sued if they violate an individual's Constitutional or federal rights under color of law. See www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/CLE/2... and start documenting violations.
www.ag.state.mn.us
February 10, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Recall that while federal agents cannot be sued under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, state and local law enforcement can be sued if they violate an individual's Constitutional or federal rights under color of law. See www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/CLE/2... and start documenting violations.
If the SAVE Act passes, you may have standing to sue for a preliminary injunction. (This is not legal advice, to be clear.) I imagine the state AG will also sue on anti-commandeering grounds, but that shouldn’t stop affected individuals from litigating too.
February 10, 2026 at 7:56 PM
If the SAVE Act passes, you may have standing to sue for a preliminary injunction. (This is not legal advice, to be clear.) I imagine the state AG will also sue on anti-commandeering grounds, but that shouldn’t stop affected individuals from litigating too.
Americans mostly likely to have a US passport:
Latinos: 55% (versus 42% of non-Latino whites)
Under age 30: 53% (versus 33% of age 45-64)
College grads: 64% (versus 24% of only HS)
Of the 21 states w/ 50%+: 15 are blue, 4 are red, 2 purple.
Highest %: NJ (79.9%); Lowest %: WV (20.7%).
Latinos: 55% (versus 42% of non-Latino whites)
Under age 30: 53% (versus 33% of age 45-64)
College grads: 64% (versus 24% of only HS)
Of the 21 states w/ 50%+: 15 are blue, 4 are red, 2 purple.
Highest %: NJ (79.9%); Lowest %: WV (20.7%).
February 10, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Americans mostly likely to have a US passport:
Latinos: 55% (versus 42% of non-Latino whites)
Under age 30: 53% (versus 33% of age 45-64)
College grads: 64% (versus 24% of only HS)
Of the 21 states w/ 50%+: 15 are blue, 4 are red, 2 purple.
Highest %: NJ (79.9%); Lowest %: WV (20.7%).
Latinos: 55% (versus 42% of non-Latino whites)
Under age 30: 53% (versus 33% of age 45-64)
College grads: 64% (versus 24% of only HS)
Of the 21 states w/ 50%+: 15 are blue, 4 are red, 2 purple.
Highest %: NJ (79.9%); Lowest %: WV (20.7%).
I also don't think they understand that everyone will have to provide their citizenship documents IN PERSON to the local election office. In Oregon, elections are run by counties. In some rural OR counties, election offices are more than 100 miles away from many county voters.
February 10, 2026 at 6:36 PM
I also don't think they understand that everyone will have to provide their citizenship documents IN PERSON to the local election office. In Oregon, elections are run by counties. In some rural OR counties, election offices are more than 100 miles away from many county voters.
They likely don’t realize that their current state-issued driver’s license doesn’t prove citizenship. Even if it’s a REAL ID—unless it’s issued by MI, MN, NY, VT or WA. And Dems are more likely than GOP to have a US passport (by 10+ % points.)
February 10, 2026 at 6:18 PM
They likely don’t realize that their current state-issued driver’s license doesn’t prove citizenship. Even if it’s a REAL ID—unless it’s issued by MI, MN, NY, VT or WA. And Dems are more likely than GOP to have a US passport (by 10+ % points.)
Despite ranting against the SAVE Act for the past two years now, my recent research indicates that far more GOP voters will be harmed, so maybe just let them shoot their own feet (and spend our energy getting our voters their documents.)
New: Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski comes out against the SAVE Act, the Trump-backed election bill www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski comes out against Trump's election bill, with a warning to her party
The Alaskan reminded her fellow Republicans that they claimed to oppose any new federal election laws just a few years ago, insisting that the issue should be left to states.
www.nbcnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Despite ranting against the SAVE Act for the past two years now, my recent research indicates that far more GOP voters will be harmed, so maybe just let them shoot their own feet (and spend our energy getting our voters their documents.)
Yes, Republicans block these efforts…because we don’t actually make the effort to even advocate for them. Educate people on the law. I bet 90% of Americans don’t even know folks can’t sue federal officers when they violate Constitutional rights.
February 10, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Yes, Republicans block these efforts…because we don’t actually make the effort to even advocate for them. Educate people on the law. I bet 90% of Americans don’t even know folks can’t sue federal officers when they violate Constitutional rights.
(15) Eliminating restrictions on the liability of State and local governments is necessary to ensure that no “State [shall] deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
February 10, 2026 at 4:32 PM
(15) Eliminating restrictions on the liability of State and local governments is necessary to ensure that no “State [shall] deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
(10) There is no statutory cause of action for constitutional violations by Federal officials. Victims can only bring their claims if courts infer a cause of action, which they are increasingly unlikely to do.
February 10, 2026 at 4:32 PM
(10) There is no statutory cause of action for constitutional violations by Federal officials. Victims can only bring their claims if courts infer a cause of action, which they are increasingly unlikely to do.
(8) The Monell doctrine requires judges to resolve difficult questions regarding which officials are policymakers, whether an official was acting in State or local capacity, and municipalities’ training and hiring processes.
February 10, 2026 at 4:32 PM
(8) The Monell doctrine requires judges to resolve difficult questions regarding which officials are policymakers, whether an official was acting in State or local capacity, and municipalities’ training and hiring processes.
(7)(Cont.) Cities may only be held liable for the constitutional torts of their officers only when the plaintiff can show that the violation was the result of a municipal policy or custom. Under Will V. Michigan Department of State Police, 491 U.S. 58 (1989), States cannot be held liable at all.
February 10, 2026 at 4:32 PM
(7)(Cont.) Cities may only be held liable for the constitutional torts of their officers only when the plaintiff can show that the violation was the result of a municipal policy or custom. Under Will V. Michigan Department of State Police, 491 U.S. 58 (1989), States cannot be held liable at all.