Ashley Portero

Articles by Ashley Portero

Ashley covers U.S. politics for the International Business Times, with a focus on civil liberties, women's issues and campaign finance. Her work has also appeared in The Boston Globe and the Boston Business Journal.

The Legal Implications Of Prison Guard Abuse

The high court unanimously ruled the U.S. government can be sued for federal prison guard actions. Does that include sexual assault?

Supreme Court: Full Audio, Transcript of DOMA Hearing

Spectators believe the Supreme Court is far more likely to strike down DOMA than Proposition 8. Listen to the arguments here.

What Could You Do With The Earnings of the Top 1%?

For starters, it could pay off student loan debts (at $26,000 each) for at least 631 people.

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Are All Married Couples Equal? [UPDATES]

Initial reports suggest the high court is leaning toward striking down the DOMA. Transcript available here.

Gay Marriage In The United States - Told In Infographics

Why do most people say they oppose gay and lesbian marriages? Religion.

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Prop 8 Arguments Hint Court May Duck Same-Sex Marriage Issue

It appears the Supreme Court will not have a majority to either uphold or strike down the California ban. Listen to the arguments here.

Can Collective Action Combat US' Mounting Student Debt Crisis?

Congress is not acting to fix the trillion-dollar student loan debt problem. A private startup has an idea, which hasn't convinced everybody.

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US Supreme Court Gay Marriage Case: 5 Things To Watch

The nation's high court will take on the constitutionality of both California's Proposition 8, and the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Michele Bachmann Literally Runs Away From CNN Reporter [VIDEO]

The former GOP presidential hopeful clearly wasn't ready to back up her allegations about the president's "lavish living" with facts.

Despite Officer Cutbacks, NYPD Spent 1M Hours On Pot Arrests

Most of those arrested for low-level possession are either minorities or young adults.

Rand Paul Makes Libertarian Case For Abortion Rights

The Kentucky senator implied banning abortion could undermine not only women's health, but doctor-patient confidentiality.

Gay Marriage Isn't Legal In New Mexico - Or Is It?

Sante Fe officials argue the gender-neutral language in the state's marriage statute never outlawed gay marriage.

How Sequestration Is Hitting US Student Loan Borrowers

While not huge, new fees will be hard to swallow for people who already devote about a quarter of their income to student loan repayments.

Rand Paul: Illegal Immigrants Should Have A Path To Legal Status

However, Paul emphasized that Congress must take steps to strengthen security at the nation’s borders before opening citizenship.

Twitter Doesn't Have Positive Words About An Anthony Weiner Comeback

It appears that the former congressman's Twitter sex scandal, and not his legislative accomplishments, have lived on in the public memory.

Electronic voting machines have come under scrutiny for inaccuracy and lack of security.

Florida's First-Known Victim Of Election Cyberattack: Report

The more than 2,500 "phantom requests" for absentee ballots may have been intended to sway the 2012 primary election.

How The GOP Is Already Shooting Itself In The Foot

The RNC report on why Republicans lost the election proposes a number of remedies, but Republicans on the ground are doing the opposite.

Pelosi Questions Value Of Keystone XL Pipeline

House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi said the controversial project would not reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil or create a substantial number of jobs.