The Florida House of Representatives has approved a bill that would ban most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for cases of risk to the mother's life and pregnancies caused by rape, incest or human trafficking. The bill, titled the "Heartbeat Protection Act," would make Florida one of the most restrictive states in the country to obtain an abortion and is headed to Governor Ron DeSantis' desk for approval. If approved, it would take effect July 1 and has been met with criticism from pro-choice advocates who argue it would limit access to safe and legal abortions.
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Florida's Republican-dominated Legislature has passed a bill banning most abortions after six weeks and allocating $25 million annually for anti-abortion pregnancy centers. Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to sign the bill, which would make it the most restrictive abortion law in the country and a major victory for anti-abortion activists. The bill's implementation is contingent on the Florida Supreme Court ruling on the state's current 15-week ban on abortion.
Harlan Crow, a prominent Republican donor and vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, recently purchased a single-story home and two vacant lots in Savannah, Georgia from Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, his mother, and the family of Thomas' late brother. This marks the first known instance of money flowing from Crow to Thomas, and raises questions about their relationship and potential conflicts of interest, though the Supreme Court has yet to comment on the purchase.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will return to work in person next week after being hospitalized for a concussion in March. He has been working from home in Kentucky since his release from a rehabilitation facility and will return to the Capitol for votes and other important business. His return will coincide with the return of Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein and John Fetterman, who have both been absent from the Senate due to health issues.
Texas House of Representatives' State Affairs Committee heard a bill on Wednesday that would allow the state to recruit amateurs to do part-time police work on the border, proposed by Rep. Matt Schaefer (R). The bill cites the need to protect citizens from transnational cartels and opioid trafficking, and Schaefer argues it is a response to the federal government's immigration policies. Critics argue that it is an attempt to bypass federal law and could lead to a dangerous situation if untrained individuals are allowed to enforce the law.
Alexei Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition politician, has been suffering from severe stomach pain since Monday and an ambulance was called to the prison where he is being held due to acute stomach pains. Navalny is not eating anything due to being prohibited from receiving parcels with food or buying food in the prison store, and his team suspects that he is being poisoned again. His health has been deteriorating since he was transferred to a prison in the Vladimir region, east of Moscow, and his supporters and human rights activists are calling for his immediate release.
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is attempting to consolidate support from Florida's Republican congressional delegation ahead of his expected 2024 presidential bid. He has contacted four out of the six members of the delegation, asking them to hold off on making endorsements in the near future. Trump is currently leading in the polls for the GOP presidential nomination, and DeSantis is trying to prevent defections in his own backyard. So far, DeSantis has no endorsements from the 20 Republicans in the state congressional delegation, and is continuing to make his case to the delegation and build support for his potential presidential run.
The Justice Department has announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reimposed restrictions on mifepristone, commonly known as the abortion pill. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department "strongly disagrees" with the court's decision and will be asking the Supreme Court to intervene. The FDA's decision to lift restrictions on mifepristone had been welcomed by abortion rights advocates, and the Supreme Court's decision on the case could have a major impact on the availability of the drug.