South Carolina is set to enact a new law banning most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for fatal fetal anomalies, the patient's life and health, and rape or incest. The bill has been met with both praise and criticism from both sides of the aisle, and is expected to be signed into law by Governor Henry McMaster. The law is sure to be a contentious issue in the coming months, as both sides of the debate continue to battle over the issue of abortion rights.
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Lawmakers have proposed a sweeping 500-page bill to revamp the U.S. immigration system, creating a 12-year path to legal status, speeding up the asylum process, and docking the pay of people without legal status to fund border infrastructure. The bill has been praised by both Republicans and Democrats, and is seen as a step forward in the effort to create a humane and effective solution to the challenges facing the country.
A coalition of civil rights organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, have issued a travel advisory for Florida due to newly passed laws and policies, such as the "Don't Say Gay" bill. The advisory warns potential visitors to be aware of the risks associated with the state before making any travel plans. Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement, “Those who visit must join us in their vocal opposition to these dangerous policies.”
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) has sparked outrage with his remark that he looks forward to the day Democrats are so rare they have to be hunted with dogs. The Anderson County Democratic Party has started a petition calling for an apology and an investigation, and the South Carolina Democratic Party has issued a statement condemning the comments as "unacceptable" and "dangerous". Hundreds of South Carolina residents have signed the petition, and McMaster has yet to respond.
Republican donor Harlan Crow has refused to provide information to Senate Judiciary Democrats about his relationship with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, arguing that doing so would exceed Congress' authority and violate separation of powers principles. The request was made in response to questions about gifts Crow has given to Thomas that have not been disclosed, raising concerns about potential influence on Thomas' decisions. Crow's refusal is likely to fuel the controversy surrounding their relationship, with it yet to be seen if the committee will take any further action.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is set to announce his candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination on Wednesday night in a live appearance on Twitter with the platform's owner, Elon Musk. The announcement will be hosted by David Sacks, a technology executive and DeSantis supporter, and will be followed by a launch video from DeSantis' campaign. The relationship between Musk and DeSantis could be a significant boost for the governor, as it will give him an introduction to Musk’s massive following.
Donald Trump made a virtual appearance in New York criminal court on Tuesday, his first since pleading not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Judge Juan Merchan issued a protective order barring Trump from publicly disclosing evidence, which the Manhattan district attorney's office will be turning over to his lawyers. The setup is rare and was used to avoid the disruption of a security operation that accompanied Trump's in-person arraignment on April 4.
House Republicans and the White House are in negotiations to raise the debt ceiling, but remain far apart in their discussions. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is optimistic that a deal can be reached before the June 1 deadline, when Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said the nation will run out of money to pay its bills. Negotiators Steve Ricchetti, Shalanda Young and Louisa Terrell met with McCarthy Tuesday morning to resume talks, but Republican Rep. Garret Graves said the two sides are still far apart.