Senate-approved bankruptcy bill moves to House News
Senate-approved bankruptcy bill moves to House

[JURIST] The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 [THOMAS bill summary and text] is expected to move to the House next week after winning Senate approval [JURIST report] Thursday. The bill, long lobbied for by credit card companies, makes it harder for those in debt to file for Chapter 7 [text] bankruptcy, which eliminates almost all debts. Instead, under the legislation, more people will be forced to file under Chapter 13 [text], which requires repayment of some debt under a structured plan. Numerous attempts by Senate Democrats to insert amendments that would have loosened restrictions in certain cases, such as medical emergencies, were blocked by Republicans. House Republicans have said they hope to pass the bill in the coming weeks for President Bush to sign by next month. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.