Economic Recovery for Low-Wage Workers, Banning Ransomware Payments, and More

July 29, 2021

Job losses from COVID-19 have disproportionately affected low-wage workers, who were already economically vulnerable before the pandemic began. While creating more jobs is crucial, Nicole Bateman and Martha Ross argue that a return to status quo is not enough—we must also consider the kinds of positions that are generated, whether they pay enough, and who can access them.

From Ireland’s health care systems to a major U.S. fuel pipeline, ransomware has struck critical infrastructure around the world. Amid growing calls for businesses to be banned from paying ransoms to hackers, Tarah Wheeler and Ciaran Martin examine the ransomware landscape and offer several reforms for policymakers to consider.

This week, the House Select Committee to investigate the Jan. 6 riots and insurrection held its first public hearing. On an episode of the Lawfare Podcast, Benjamin Wittes, Molly Reynolds, and Quinta Jurecic discuss how the hearing went and what’s next, the fissures within the Republican Party over the committee, and whether the committee will have enough time and focus to get to real accountability.

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