Understand Your Rights. Solve Your Legal Problems
Snell & Wilmer has advised Roofstock, a fast-growing name in proptech and rental property management, in its recent investment in Casago.
The deal coincides with Casago’s acquisition of Vacasa, marking a major shift in the short-term rental space as Vacasa exits the public market.
This move signals a new phase of growth for Roofstock, which has long been focused on helping investors navigate the single-family rental (SFR) market.
“Today is an exciting day at Roofstock and for our industry. Historically, we have focused on providing end-to-end real estate investment services for the SFR industry across the ownership lifecycle; from buying to managing to selling.
We are excited to extend this suite of products and tools to the massive short-term rental sector, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with Casago.” said Gary Beasley, co-founder and CEO of Roofstock.
Casago’s acquisition of Vacasa comes with a notable change, Vacasa’s stock is no longer publicly traded, as the company becomes privately owned under the new deal.
For Casago, the acquisition opens the door to broader national growth and a more robust platform for both homeowners and guests.
“Today marks an exciting new chapter as Casago and Vacasa come together. Our vision is clear: to build the most trusted brand in vacation rental management, one relationship at a time.
By combining our strengths, we will create new opportunities for our homeowners, guests, partners, and teammates, while staying true to the values that have made Casago who we are.
This isn’t just the joining together of two companies; it’s a commitment to service, to hospitality, and to delivering a better way of caring for a second home.” said Steve Schwab, Casago’s founder and CEO.
Snell & Wilmer advised Roofstock on the legal aspects of the transaction, reflecting the firm’s deepening engagement in complex real estate technology and private equity matters.
The deal team was led by Tony Caldwell, with key contributions from Brian Burke, Bahar Schippel, Bryce Morgan, Dana Ontiveros, and Angela Kim, drawing on the firm’s integrated real estate and corporate law capabilities.
Roofstock is a leading real estate investment platform focused on the single-family rental (SFR) market. Founded in 2015, the company offers tech-driven tools and a certified marketplace for buying, owning, and managing rental properties across the U.S. Roofstock serves individual and institutional investors, aiming to simplify and streamline real estate investing.
Snell & Wilmer is a full-service business law firm with over 500 attorneys across 17 offices in the U.S. and Mexico. Founded in 1938, the firm advises clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies in areas including corporate law, real estate, M&A, and litigation. Known for practical legal solutions and deep industry knowledge, Snell & Wilmer is also committed to diversity and community engagement.
Kirkland & Ellis has advised Movoto, a fast-growing real estate tech platform, through its recent acquisition by Lower, a digital-first mortgage company looking to reshape the homeownership experience.
The deal brings together Movoto’s massive online reach with Lower’s lending technology and national retail presence an ambitious move aimed at building a one-stop shop for buyers, agents, and loan officers alike.
Dan Snyder, CEO and Co-Founder of Lower, sees the acquisition as a chance to close the gap between home searching and financing two steps that often feel disconnected for the average buyer.
"The future of our industry lies in blending the best technology with the irreplaceable expertise of local agents and loan officers. Movoto is the perfect platform to accelerate this vision, allowing us to create a simpler, smarter path to homeownership.
Acquiring Movoto strengthens our position as the challenger platform, enhancing our ability to deliver the best localized and personalized service and capture significant market share."
Movoto CEO John Berkowitz will step into a new role as President of Real Estate at Lower.
"The bigger portals touch almost everyone online but fail to help those customers through the whole process.
By focusing on how technology empowers local connections we can deliver better service to the consumer and build a business that generates far more profit per visitor."
Movoto’s Chief Legal Officer Dave Robinett partnered with attorneys at Kirkland & Ellis to complete the deal. The team included:
John Kaercher and Jess Lepper – Corporate
Jordan Roberts – Debt Finance
Bill Dong and Rebecca Fine – Tax
Michael Falk and Rebekah Kostelak – Executive Compensation
Movoto is a real estate technology company and fully licensed online brokerage founded in 2005 and headquartered in San Mateo, California. The platform connects homebuyers, sellers, and agents with powerful search tools, local market data, and expert guidance. Movoto also offers professional tools like Movoto Pro+ and Lever to help agents grow their business and close more deals.
Kirkland & Ellis is a leading global law firm known for its excellence in M&A, corporate law, litigation, intellectual property, and private equity. With offices in key financial centers worldwide, the firm advises clients across a broad range of industries. Recognized for its work on high-stakes transactions and disputes, Kirkland delivers innovative legal strategies backed by deep industry knowledge. Its focus on complex deals and cutting-edge solutions positions it as a trusted advisor in the global legal market.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted a strong warning about microplastics, and it quickly got people’s attention.
“Microplastics are everywhere - in our water, our soil, our food, even our organs,” he wrote. He didn’t stop there, calling the crisis not just pollution, but “a market failure.”
Once considered an issue limited to oceans and marine life, microplastics are now being detected inside the human body.
Microplastics are exactly what they sound like minuscule bits of plastic, often too small to see, that come from everyday items: packaging, clothes, cosmetics, and even car tires.
Over time, plastic breaks down but never really disappears. It just gets smaller.
And those particles end up everywhere, from the air we breathe to the food we eat.
And yes, researchers have now found them in human lungs, blood, and even placentas.
Dr. Sherri Mason, a leading researcher in freshwater plastic pollution and Sustainability Coordinator at Penn State Behrend, has been a vocal advocate for raising awareness about microplastic exposure.
While the specific quote often attributed to her doesn’t appear in official sources, her published research and interviews make one thing clear: microplastics are virtually unavoidable.
She’s explained that plastic particles enter the body through drinking water, food, and even the air we breathe.
From synthetic clothing to plastic-wrapped food and indoor dust, everyday life constantly exposes us to microplastics, most of which are too small to see.
Dr. Mason emphasizes that this widespread exposure is a growing concern for both environmental and public health.
In his May 2025 post on X , Mr. Kennedy warned:
Microplastics are everywhere — in our water, our soil, our food, even our organs.
This isn’t just pollution — it’s a market failure. Corporations aren’t poisoning us out of malice, but out of economic necessity. That has to change.
The Trump administration will fix the… pic.twitter.com/d2PwTovr0O
— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) May 18, 2025
He’s not wrong. What he’s pointing out is that companies continue to churn out plastic, unchecked and unregulated, because it’s cheap and there’s no financial incentive to stop.
It’s not a mystery. Here’s what happens:
Plastic breaks down into tiny particles in landfills, oceans, and even city streets.
Those particles get into food and water—including bottled water, seafood, produce, and table salt.
We eat and breathe them in. Studies show we could be ingesting a credit card’s worth of plastic every week.
Some particles make it into the bloodstream and can even lodge in tissues and organs.
In 2023, researchers found microplastics in 80% of blood samples they tested. The following year, another study detected plastic particles in human placentas, raising serious questions about fetal exposure.
“It’s alarming,” says Dr. Dick Vethaak, a toxicologist who co-authored one of the landmark studies.
“Our study is the first indication that we have polymer particles in our blood, it’s a breakthrough result. It is certainly reasonable to be concerned. The particles are there and are transported throughout the body.”
The truth is, we’re still figuring that out—but what we know so far isn’t encouraging.
Inflammation and cell damage are likely.
Microplastics may disrupt hormones and weaken the immune system.
They can carry toxic chemicals, like pesticides and heavy metals, directly into the body.
Some scientists are concerned about possible links to fertility issues, heart disease, and even neurological disorders.
Robert F. Kennedy’s message goes beyond environmental concern, it’s about accountability. He believes industries that profit from plastics should also be responsible for the consequences.
Mr. Kennedy proposed plan includes:
Banning non-essential single-use plastics
Making companies pay for cleanup and waste management
Funding alternatives to plastic
Upgrading filtration systems in water treatment facilities
He’s far from alone. Across Europe and parts of Asia, similar regulations are already in place. The U.S., however, still lags behind.
Waiting for legislation isn’t your only option. You can make small but meaningful changes today:
Drink from glass or stainless steel instead of plastic bottles
Use a high-quality water filter at home
Choose clothes made from natural fibers
Avoid cosmetics and scrubs with microbeads
Support brands using biodegradable or minimal packaging
Even something as simple as air-drying synthetic clothes instead of using a dryer can reduce the number of plastic fibers released into the environment.
What once felt like a distant environmental issue is now terrifyingly close to home, inside our homes, our food, and our own bodies. Mr. Kennedy’s warning may sound dramatic, but it’s backed by science and grounded in real urgency.
Dr. Jane Muncke, Managing Director and Chief Scientific Officer of the Food Packaging Forum, has been vocal about the risks microplastics and related chemicals pose to human health. In recent publications, she has emphasized that many synthetic substances used in food packaging can migrate into what we eat, especially when heat, acidity, or fat are involved.
Dr. Muncke warns that these migrating chemicals, including microplastics, may contribute to serious health issues such as endocrine disruption, cancer, and developmental disorders and also points out that these risks are often underestimated and calls for stronger research and regulation.
“We need robust, standardized science to fully understand what microplastics are doing to the human body,” she said, urging greater collaboration across disciplines to address the growing crisis."
President Donald Trump has signed into law a major new measure that takes direct aim at the growing crisis of nonconsensual imagery online, including revenge porn and AI-generated deepfakes.
During the White House signing ceremony, President Donald Trump underscored the urgent need for stronger protections against digital exploitation.
He highlighted the growing danger posed by both real and AI-generated intimate content shared without consent, particularly targeting women and minors.
“This will be the first-ever federal law to combat the distribution of explicit imagery posted without subjects' consent,” Trump said. “We will not tolerate online sexual exploitation.”
The Take It Down Act, which takes effect immediately, is one of the strongest federal efforts yet to protect people, particularly women and minors from having intimate images shared online without their consent.
At its core, the Take It Down Act makes it a federal crime to share or even threaten to share explicit content of someone without their permission, whether that content is real or artificially created.
The law also requires tech platforms to act fast when flagged: they now have just 48 hours to remove offending content once it’s reported.
On top of that, they’re expected to prevent the same images or videos from being reuploaded.
The law includes real consequences. If someone’s found guilty, especially in cases involving minors , they could face up to three years behind bars and steep financial penalties.
First Lady Melania Trump became a prominent voice in support of the bill, linking it to her “Be Best” initiative, which focuses on the safety and well-being of children in the digital world.
Melania Trump spoke passionately about the emotional damage caused by these violations, particularly when the lines between real and fake have been blurred by artificial intelligence.
Until now, victims of revenge porn and deepfake abuse have had very few tools to fight back. While some states have passed their own laws, there’s never been a unified national standard.
The Take It Down Act fills that gap and sends a strong message that online exploitation will no longer be ignored.
It also brings new accountability to tech companies. Platforms like social media networks and content-hosting sites now carry legal responsibility for how they handle these violations.
The Federal Trade Commission will be watching to ensure they follow through.
While the law has been widely praised by victim advocacy groups, it’s also stirred up criticism from digital rights organizations. Some argue the legislation might go too far or at least, that its wording is too vague.
Groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation warn that platforms might overreact to avoid legal trouble, leading to unnecessary censorship or the silencing of legitimate content.
The concern is that, in trying to avoid penalties, companies will take down anything that seems even remotely controversial.
What’s especially alarming and why the law feels so urgent, is how quickly deepfake technology is evolving.
With just a few tools and some online photos, people can now create disturbingly realistic fake videos that look and sound like real individuals. In many cases, these clips have been used to humiliate, extort, or damage reputations and often with little recourse for the victims.
By acknowledging that both real and AI-generated material can be weaponized, this law is stepping into territory lawmakers have largely avoided until now.
The law is already in force, and platforms have one year to get their compliance systems in place.
The FTC will oversee enforcement and ensure the rules are followed, especially when it comes to content takedowns and repeat offenses.
The Take It Down Act was introduced by Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar, received strong bipartisan support, and is now federal law.
Senator Amy Klobuchar voiced strong support for the bipartisan Take It Down Act, underscoring its importance in safeguarding individuals from online exploitation.
In an official statement, she emphasized the law’s role in protecting victims and establishing clear accountability in the digital age.
“Passing the TAKE IT DOWN Act into law is a major victory for victims of online abuse, giving people legal protections and tools for when their intimate images, including deepfakes, are shared without their consent, and enabling law enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable.
This is also a landmark move towards establishing common-sense rules of the road around social media and AI.”
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Clifford Chance has advised the underwriters in the public offering of 13,416,667 common units of TXO Partners, L.P., representing limited partner interests.
The transaction generated approximately $201 million in gross proceeds, inclusive of the underwriters’ full exercise of their option to purchase additional units.
The proceeds will be used to finance TXO’s acquisition of oil and gas assets located in the Williston Basin from White Rock Energy, LLC, a portfolio company of Quantum Capital Group.
The deal team was led by partners Om Pandya and Trevor Lavelle, with support from capital markets associates Paul Lakkis, Johnathan Walker, and Nick Mitchell. David Sweeney and Joclynn Marsh provided guidance on oil and gas matters, while Todd Lowther and Sharon Yu advised on tax issues.
Environmental matters were handled by Ty'Meka Reeves-Sobers and Hannah Ebersole.
TXO Partners, L.P. is a publicly traded master limited partnership listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker TXO. The firm focuses on acquiring, developing, and operating conventional oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquid reserves across North America, with primary operations in the Permian, San Juan, and Williston Basins. TXO leverages a seasoned management team to enhance asset performance through efficient production practices and maintains a conservative capital structure to ensure financial flexibility. As of May 2025, the company reported a market capitalization of approximately $819 million with a stock price of around $15.44.
Clifford Chance is a global law firm with over a century of history and a presence in 23 countries through 34 offices. A member of the prestigious Magic Circle, the firm is recognized for its deep expertise in banking, corporate law, finance, dispute resolution, and tax. It advises a broad spectrum of clients, including multinational corporations, financial institutions, governments, and not-for-profits by combining international best practices with local market insight. Known for its collaborative culture and forward-thinking approach, Clifford Chance delivers innovative, high-quality legal solutions across every major industry and sector.
Norton Rose Fulbright has announced that Duncan Bagshaw is joining the firm as a partner in its London office, further strengthening its international arbitration and disputes team.
Duncan Bagshaw, who comes from Howard Kennedy, has spent years helping clients tackle complex international disputes, especially in the energy sector and across Africa. His work covers everything from power projects and renewables to joint ventures and cross-border business deals.
Mr. Bagshaw regularly handles arbitration cases under the rules of major global institutions like the LCIA, ICC, and DIFC, and has appeared in courts across England and Wales, including the Supreme Court.
Outside the courtroom, Duncan is deeply involved in the wider arbitration community.
He’s vice-chair of the ICC UK Arbitration and ADR Committee, a member of the ICC Global Commission, and Registrar of the Scottish Arbitration Centre.
His work hasn’t gone unnoticed, he’s been regularly ranked in Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as one of the top lawyers in his field.
Mr. Bagshaw started out as a barrister in 2003 and spent nearly a decade in practice before taking on a new challenge in 2012, becoming the first Registrar of the LCIA-MIAC Arbitration Centre in Mauritius.
There, he helped build the country’s reputation as a growing center for international arbitration and worked to support the development of dispute resolution across Africa.
Patrick Bourke, Head of Dispute Resolution and Litigation for Europe, the Middle East and Asia at Norton Rose Fulbright, said:
“Duncan will greatly enhance our international arbitration offering to clients given the breadth and depth of his experience in key sectors and jurisdictions. He is well placed to help our clients navigate complex disputes and help them achieve their strategic objectives.”
Ruth Cowley, Global Co-Head of International Arbitration, added:
"We are excited to welcome Duncan to our leading global international arbitration team. He will undoubtedly enhance the quality services we provide to our clients around the world, many of which operate across Africa.
He has advised on some of the highest profile commercial disputes and international arbitration cases of recent years, including those in relation to fast-growing emerging markets which fits neatly with the cross border and strategic cases that our team advises on.”
Duncan Bagshaw said he’s excited to get started:
“Norton Rose Fulbright has a strong history in advising on some of the most complex international arbitration cases around the world, with the experience to assist clients from the onset of a dispute, through to enforcement of an award.
The firm’s extensive experience in emerging markets and the energy sector is highly attractive and provides a great platform to support clients on their most challenging disputes.”
Duncan’s arrival marks another step in the firm’s ongoing efforts to grow its disputes offering and support clients doing business across fast-changing and high-growth regions.
Norton Rose Fulbright is a leading global law firm with more than 3,000 lawyers advising clients across over 50 locations worldwide, including London, Houston, New York, Toronto, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Johannesburg. Established in 1794, the firm provides expertise in sectors such as financial services, energy, and technology. Known for its work in corporate transactions, dispute resolution, and regulatory matters, it serves multinational clients, including corporations, government entities, and financial institutions. The firm is committed to diversity, inclusion, and pro bono work, with a focus on industries essential to the global economy, covering regions such as Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Latham & Watkins has advised MRH Trowe, one of Germany’s leading founder-led insurance and pension brokerage firms, on a significant unitranche refinancing backed by a group of international credit funds.
The new facility replaces MRH Trowe’s existing financing and will also help fund the company's continued growth through targeted acquisitions, supporting its ongoing “buy and build” strategy.
MRH Trowe, supported by TA Associates, AnaCap, and the original founding team, brings deep industry expertise to a broad range of clients across Germany.
The firm serves industrial and commercial businesses, public institutions, and high-net-worth individuals with tailored insurance and employee benefits solutions.
Latham’s cross-border team was led by London finance partner Hugh O’Sullivan, working alongside associates Mark Walker and James Futcher.
German financing advice was provided by Munich partner Christian Jahn, with associates Anastasia Dressler and Valentin Mezger. Tax matters were handled by Munich partner Ulf Kiecker and London partner Karl Mah, supported by associate Ines Kilkelly.
MRH Trowe is a leading, owner-managed insurance and financial services firm based in Frankfurt, Germany. With over 1,700 employees across 30+ offices, it ranks among Germany’s top 10 industrial insurance brokers. The company specializes in tailored insurance and employee benefits solutions for corporate, institutional, and high-net-worth clients. Founded through a 2016 merger, MRH Trowe is backed by TA Associates and AnaCap and continues to grow through strategic acquisitions.
Latham & Watkins, founded in 1934, is a global law firm with more than 3,000 lawyers across major business and financial centers. The firm advises top companies, investors, and institutions on high-stakes transactions, regulatory matters, and litigation. Known for its collaborative culture and deep industry knowledge, Latham delivers practical, strategic legal solutions worldwide.
Paul Hastings Advises on Energy Platform Launch in Abu Dhabi
Bernie Sanders Calls to Overturn Citizens United in 2025 Push
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Paul Hastings LLP is continuing to grow its international energy and infrastructure bench with the arrival of Stefan Mrozinski and Habeeb Rahman as partners in its recently opened Abu Dhabi office.
Both come from White & Case LLP and bring a wealth of experience in corporate transactions and major infrastructure projects.
Their appointments are part of a broader strategy the firm has been rolling out since early April, which has already seen seven partners join across Abu Dhabi, London, and Paris.
Together, this group is reshaping Paul Hastings' energy and infrastructure capabilities outside the U.S. and helping to connect them more closely with the firm’s top-ranked North American practice.
“Stefan’s and Habeeb’s appointments mark another significant moment in the strategic expansion of our global energy and infrastructure platform,” said Gregory Tan, who co-leads the firmwide practice.
“Their wealth of experience advising clients in the UAE and beyond on a broad range of corporate transactional projects adds further breadth and depth to our international practice and enhances our ability to meet our clients’ sophisticated and evolving needs globally.”
Stefan Mrozinski has built a strong reputation advising sovereign wealth funds, corporates, private equity firms, and family offices on complex M&A, joint ventures, governance, and restructuring work.
Mr. Mrozinski has especially deep experience in energy, tech, natural resources, infrastructure, and telecoms. Chambers consistently ranks him in Band 1, and Legal 500 has named him a “Next Generation Partner” multiple years in a row.
He was also a finalist for Legal 500’s “Next Generation Partner of the Year” (MENA) in 2024.
Habeeb Rahman, meanwhile, focuses on the full lifecycle of infrastructure and energy projects from early development and procurement to construction, licensing, and operations.
Mr. Rahman's work spans the oil & gas, petrochemical, energy, and industrial sectors, with a strong emphasis on navigating high-stakes negotiations and structuring technically complex deals.
He was recently named “Rising Star of the Year” for Construction (MENA) by Legal 500.
The firm’s expansion in Abu Dhabi is more than just a numbers game. Paul Hastings’ project finance team was ranked #1 in North America by IJGlobal in Q1 2025, and the additions of Mrozinski and Rahman add new horsepower to its ambitions outside the U.S.
The duo will work closely with George Kazakov and Din Eshanov, who helped launch the Abu Dhabi office, as well as Ibaad Hakim, who joined earlier this month.
They’re also joining forces with Paris-based partners Xavier Petet and Benoit Thirion, all of whom are part of the broader effort to grow the firm’s footprint across Europe and the Middle East.
“Din and I are delighted to have Stefan and Habeeb join our growing team and to work together again,” said George Kazakov.
“Their arrival boosts the momentum of our Abu Dhabi-based practice, and their experience is additive to our broader Middle East strategy, which is focused on helping to expand the reach of European investors into the Middle East and to facilitate investments from the region into Europe.”
For Mrozinski and Rahman, the move is as much a reunion as it is a new chapter.
“We are delighted to reunite with many former colleagues on the Paul Hastings platform and continue building our presence in Abu Dhabi. It’s exciting to join the firm at such a pivotal moment in its expansion.” said Mr. Mrozinski.
“It is clear that Paul Hastings has a strategic focus on expanding its global offering across the full spectrum of energy and infrastructure. We look forward to collaborating with the team and working with clients across the region on their most complex and high-profile projects,” added Mr. Rahman.
Paul Hastings LLP is a leading global law firm known for its innovative, client-focused approach. Founded in 1951, the firm advises top corporations, financial institutions, and investment funds across key sectors including finance, M&A, energy, real estate, and litigation. With offices across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Latin America, Paul Hastings is consistently ranked among the world’s most elite and forward-thinking law firms.
Senator Bernie Sanders reignited a national debate over the role of money in politics, accusing both major parties of being complicit in a “totally corrupt” campaign finance system.
Our campaign finance system is totally corrupt — impacting BOTH political parties.
If we want a government representing working families, not billionaires, we need to overturn Citizens United and move to the public funding of elections. pic.twitter.com/U3F2zvW18F
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) May 18, 2025
Sanders’ remarks are aimed squarely at Citizens United v. FEC, the 2010 Supreme Court decision that opened the door for unlimited corporate and union spending in elections.
Critics have long argued that the ruling gave wealthy individuals and powerful interest groups an outsized voice in American democracy.
“It’s not just the Koch brothers,” Sanders said during a recent town hall in Vermont. “It’s Big Pharma, Wall Street, Silicon Valley—all of them pouring dark money into the system while working families struggle to be heard.”
In other words, it’s not just a right-wing problem. Sanders has often criticized establishment Democrats for relying on large corporate donors and super PACs, even as they claim to support reforms.
As an alternative, Sanders is once again urging Congress to embrace publicly funded elections—a system that would shift campaign financing from private donors to the public.
It’s a radical idea by American standards, but not unprecedented.
Countries like Canada and Sweden already use taxpayer money to help fund political campaigns, reducing candidates’ dependence on large donors.
Under a publicly funded model:
Every eligible voter could receive a “democracy voucher” to contribute to the candidate of their choice.
Strict caps on private donations would be enforced.
Candidates would be freed from constant fundraising and better able to focus on policy.
Supporters say it’s the only way to rebuild trust in a system where money seems to matter more than votes.
The timing of Sanders’ post isn’t random. Earlier this year, he launched his “Fight Oligarchy” tour, traveling the country to speak out against what he calls “the billionaire class buying our democracy.”
At events in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Nevada, Sanders has hammered home the same message: the current system favors the rich and silences working families.
“You want to know why insulin costs $300? Look at who’s funding your representatives,” he told a crowd in Pittsburgh.
While Sanders is a progressive icon, his message crosses ideological lines. Polling shows that a majority of Americans—Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike believe money has too much influence in politics.
Calls to overturn Citizens United have even surfaced in some conservative circles, where there’s growing frustration over elite control of the system.
The challenge? Actually making it happen.
Overturning Citizens United would require either a constitutional amendment—a political long shot—or a future Supreme Court ruling reversing the decision. In the meantime, Sanders says, Congress should take immediate steps to:
Ban corporate PAC donations
Strengthen campaign finance disclosure laws
Implement voluntary public funding programs at the federal level
For Senator Bernie Sanders the stakes are nothing less than the survival of American democracy.
“This isn’t about one party or one election,” he said recently. “It’s about whether our government answers to working people or to the billionaires writing the checks.”
As the 2026 midterms approach and campaign spending once again reaches record highs, it’s clear Sanders doesn’t plan on letting the issue fade. Whether Congress listens is another matter entirely.
Why is Bernie Sanders against Citizens United?
Because he believes it allows billionaires and corporations to flood elections with money, drowning out the voices of ordinary voters.
What is Sanders’ solution to campaign finance corruption?
He supports publicly funded elections and strict limits on corporate and PAC donations.
Can Citizens United be overturned?
Yes, but it would require either a constitutional amendment or a reversal by the Supreme Court, both extremely difficult to achieve.
House Bill 186, currently advancing through the Texas Legislature, proposes to make Texas the first state in the nation to prohibit minors from creating or maintaining social media accounts.
The legislation has already passed the Texas House with bipartisan support and is now under review by the Senate.
The legislation, authored by Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco), would require social media platforms to verify users' ages before allowing access and would give parents the power to have their children’s accounts deleted.
What House Bill 186 Proposes
If passed, HB 186 would make it illegal for social media platforms to allow users under 18 to create or maintain accounts. Key provisions include:
Mandatory age verification using commercially accepted methods
Parental control: Guardians could request deletion of their child's account, which platforms must carry out within 10 days
Legal enforcement: Non-compliant platforms could face penalties for deceptive trade practices under state law
The bill applies to platforms that allow users to post content publicly, follow others, and receive algorithm-based recommendations, meaning platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter) would all fall under the scope of the law.
“The Most Harmful Product Kids Have Legal Access To”
Rep. Jared Patterson, who has become one of the most vocal critics of unregulated youth access to social media, has repeatedly described these platforms as a public health hazard.
“After researching and participating in study committees in this body, I firmly believe that social media is the most harmful product that our kids have legal access to in Texas,” he said during debate on the House floor.
Mr. Patterson compared the spread of social media among teens to past decades’ failure to regulate tobacco.
“We didn’t know what we had given to our children over the last decade and a half,” he added. “We now know. We now have studies that show it is extremely harmful.”
Backed by Both Parties
While HB 186 is a Republican-led effort, it has drawn support from both sides of the aisle. Rep. Mary González (D-Clint) introduced a complementary bill that would require warning labels on social media platforms, alerting users to potential mental health risks for minors.
Mental health groups and parent advocacy organizations have also lined up behind the bill, pointing to recent studies linking adolescent social media use to spikes in anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide.
Critics Warn of Constitutional and Privacy Risks
Civil liberties groups argue the bill may violate the First Amendment and infringe on privacy rights.
Organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) have voiced strong opposition.
“There is no way anyone with any understanding of the First Amendment would look at this and say this is a good idea,” said Ari Cohn, lead counsel at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
Privacy experts are particularly concerned about the bill’s age verification mandate, warning it could require platforms to collect more sensitive data from users, creating new cybersecurity risks and potentially endangering minors' personal information.
If passed by the Senate and signed into law by the governor, HB 186 would go into effect on September 1, 2025.
Legal challenges are widely expected, especially given the fate of similar laws in other states.
A comparable measure in Arkansas was blocked by a federal judge in 2023, and parts of Texas’s own SCOPE Act have already been halted in court.
Despite that, Rep. Patterson remains undeterred.
“Texas has the opportunity to lead. If we’re serious about protecting kids, then we can’t ignore the damage social media is doing. This bill is about putting families, not tech companies back in control.”
Texas’s social media bill is part of a broader national debate over how to regulate Big Tech and protect youth in the digital age.
Whether HB 186 survives legal scrutiny or not, its progress is likely to influence legislation in other states and could reshape the way social platforms approach minors in the years to come.
How to Talk to Your Kids About Social Media
Social media isn’t going away and neither is the pressure teens feel to be online. But research shows that one of the most powerful tools for protecting youth isn’t legislation. It’s conversation.
Experts recommend approaching the topic with empathy, not fear. Ask open-ended questions like:
What do you like about the apps you use?
Have you ever seen something online that made you uncomfortable?
How do you feel after spending time on social media?
By making the topic safe and judgment-free, parents can help their kids think critically, set boundaries, and recognize when it’s time to unplug.
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