Bread and Circus: The Complete Record of American Governance
Today’s newsletter covers official U.S. government happenings from the executive, legislative, and judicial branches yesterday, as well as key economic indicators. Below, you’ll find concise summaries of each document, with links to the original sources for further reading.
What Happened Yesterday:
🦅 Executive Branch: No activity
🏛️ Legislative Branch: 2 documents (1 Congressional Record - Daily Digest, 1 Congressional Record - Senate Section)
⚖️ Judicial Branch: No activity
📊 Economic Indicators: 2 documents (1 Bureau of Labor Statistics press release, 1 Pew Research report)
Total words condensed: 50,373 into 948
The Big Picture
Recent actions in the U.S. Senate highlight a significant focus on pressing domestic issues, particularly drug trafficking and public health. The Senate’s resolution opposing Hamas control in Gaza reflects a broader commitment to international stability, while the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act aims to combat the escalating fentanyl crisis at home. With an alarming average of nine North Carolinians dying daily from fentanyl overdoses, the urgency of this legislation is underscored by the Senate’s 84 to 15 vote to advance it, with a final vote scheduled for March 14, 2025. This dual focus on international and domestic challenges signals a potential shift towards a more proactive and interconnected policy approach.
The Producer Price Index (PPI) data from February 2025 reveals a complex economic landscape, with overall prices remaining stable but significant fluctuations in specific sectors, such as a 53.6% increase in food prices. This economic backdrop is crucial as policymakers address the fentanyl crisis and its impact on communities. The Senate’s actions, coupled with the economic indicators, suggest a growing recognition of the interconnectedness of public health and economic stability. As these policies are implemented, particularly the fentanyl legislation, their effectiveness will be closely monitored to assess their impact on both drug abuse rates and economic conditions.
Pattern to Watch
An emerging trend is the increasing recognition of mental health issues among teenagers, particularly anxiety and depression, as highlighted by the Pew Research study. With 30% of teens acknowledging these problems as common among their peers, and a notable gender gap in experiences and future aspirations, this trend suggests a growing need for targeted mental health support in schools. The pressure to achieve academically, felt by 68% of teens, could further exacerbate these issues. Continued monitoring of school policies and mental health resources will be essential to address these challenges effectively and support the well-being of future generations.
🦅 Executive Branch
No activity today.
🏛️ Legislative Branch
Congressional Record
On March 13, 2025, the Senate took important steps in Congress. They agreed on a resolution (S. Res. 72) saying that Hamas should not control the Gaza Strip. They also worked on a bill called the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act (S. 331), which aims to change how fentanyl-related drugs are classified to help fight drug abuse. The Senate voted 84 to 15 to end debate on this bill, and they plan to vote on it again on March 14. Additionally, they confirmed several nominations, including William Pulte as Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, with a vote of 56 to 43. These actions are significant because they address urgent issues like drug trafficking and fill key government positions that can influence policy. Read full document →
Random excerpts from the Senate
Mr. President, over the last 2 months, the United States has confronted a bitter--a very bitter truth: The Federal Government has been taken over by a nihilist. Donald Trump, in 2 months, has taken a blowtorch to our country and wielded chaos like a weapon. Republicans in Congress, meanwhile, have caved to his every whim. The Grand Old Party has devolved into a crowd of Trump sycophants and MAGA radicals who want to burn everything to the ground. Look no further than what DOGE is doing. Now Republicans’ nihilism has brought us to the brink of disaster.
— Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY)
The reality is that is not just a public health crisis. It is a nightmare that is destroying families, shattering communities, and devastating our country. On average, nine North Carolinians die every single day from fentanyl overdoses. Every day, fentanyl claims nearly 200 lives across our country. Just last year, this silent killer took more than 70,000 Americans. But they are not just numbers. These are sons and daughters. These are parents and siblings. These are our friends and our neighbors. These are people who should be living full, meaningful lives but, instead, have become statistics.
In February 2025, the prices that businesses pay for goods and services stayed the same, which means the Producer Price Index (PPI) did not change at all. However, prices for goods went up by 0.3%, mainly because the cost of food, like chicken eggs, jumped by 53.6%. On the other hand, prices for services dropped by 0.2%, mostly because of lower costs in trade services. Over the past year, prices overall have risen by 3.2%. This information shows that while some prices are going up, others are going down, which can affect how much money people spend on everyday things. Understanding these changes helps people know what to expect for their budgets and can influence job growth in different areas. Read full document →
Pew Research
The Pew Research study looked at how boys and girls aged 13 to 17 feel about school, friends, and their future. It found that 30% of teens think anxiety and depression are very common among their classmates, and girls are seen as having more of these problems. About 68% of all teens feel a lot of pressure to get good grades, with girls at 71% and boys at 65%. When thinking about the future, 60% of girls plan to go to a four-year college, while only 46% of boys say the same. These findings are important because they show that boys and girls face different challenges and have different plans, which can help schools and families support them better. Read full document →
