The House of Representatives is set to vote Wednesday night on a bill that would cut federal spending by more than $1 trillion and raise the debt ceiling through the 2024 presidential election. The bill is expected to pass with support from both Republicans and Democrats, although there is opposition from both sides of the political spectrum. If the bill passes, it will be the first time in history that the U.S. has avoided a government debt default. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries need both parties to pass the bill in order to lift the debt ceiling a few days before the U.S. is expected to run out of money to pay its bills. Majority of the left wing of the Democratic Party is likely to vote no, arguing that the bill does not address underlying issues of inequality and poverty.
Posts published in “Politics”
The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that two state laws banning abortion are unconstitutional, but the procedure remains illegal in most cases. The ruling found that the Oklahoma Constitution provides an "inherent right of a pregnant woman to terminate a pregnancy when necessary to preserve her life." The ruling is likely to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and provides a measure of clarity on the legality of abortion in the state.
Raul Ortiz, the U.S. Border Patrol Chief, is retiring from federal service at the end of June after more than three decades with the agency. Acting Commissioner Troy Miller praised Ortiz for his service and leadership, and the agency is currently searching for a replacement. Ortiz's retirement comes after he helped oversee policy changes this month to curb irregular crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Chris Christie, former New Jersey Governor, is set to announce his candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination at a town hall in Manchester, New Hampshire on Tuesday. He has been bolstered by a super PAC set up by his longtime advisers and has been a close ally of former President Donald Trump. He joins a field of contenders that includes Mike Pence, Mike Pompeo, and Nikki Haley for the June 2024 primary election.
The House Rules Committee has voted 7-6 to send the McCarthy-Biden deal to the floor, signaling support ahead of Wednesday's vote. The deal, which was negotiated by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden, has faced criticism from GOP hard-liners. Despite the criticism, the deal is expected to pass in the Republican-controlled House on Wednesday, and then move to the Senate for further scrutiny and debate.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is attempting to pass a debt ceiling plan to strengthen the GOP's negotiating power with President Biden. The plan has yet to be finalized and is facing opposition from both Republicans and Democrats. If it passes, it could open the door for further policy provisions in the future.
Tara Reade, a former Senate aide who accused President Joe Biden of sexual assault, has moved to Moscow and is seeking Russian citizenship. Reade said that she felt "heard and respected" in Russia and that she was now asking President Vladimir Putin for citizenship. Her accusations against Biden sparked a national debate about sexual assault and the #MeToo movement, which Biden has denied.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has signed a bill into law that bans transgender women from playing on female sports teams in college, expanding the state's existing 2021 ban on transgender athletes on K-12 sports teams. The bill has been met with criticism from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and the NCAA, who have argued that it is discriminatory and dangerous. It is the latest in a series of restrictions on transgender people in Alabama, including a bill that would make it a crime for doctors to provide gender-affirming care to transgender minors.