The Biden administration has proposed a rule that would protect transgender athletes from discrimination in school sports, enshrined as a provision of Title IX. This is a political counterpunch to the wave of Republican-led states that have sought to ban trans athletes from competing in school sports that align with their gender identities. The proposed rule must undergo a lengthy approval process before it can be finalized, and is almost certain to face challenges from opponents.
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Tennessee lawmakers voted to expel Rep. Justin Jones, the first of three Democratic representatives, from the state House on Thursday, following their protest on the chamber floor against gun violence. This is the first time in state history that a House member has been expelled for alleged chamber rules violations, sparking debate among lawmakers and citizens alike. The expulsion proceedings come amid pressure from the GOP supermajority to tighten gun laws, with the representatives accused of breaking House rules on conduct and decorum.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has called for the impeachment of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas following a report that he had received gifts, including luxury trips, from a billionaire Republican megadonor without disclosing them. The federal judiciary has tightened its rules for what judges and justices need to include in their annual financial disclosure statements, sparking debate about the ethics of Supreme Court justices receiving gifts and the level of transparency and accountability of the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court has ruled against West Virginia officials in a case involving a law that bans transgender athletes from competing on female sports teams. The law, challenged by 12-year-old transgender girl Becky Pepper-Jackson, cannot be enforced while the case is being litigated. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented from the court's decision, which is the latest in a series of rulings that have favored transgender rights. The court is expected to issue a ruling in a separate case involving transgender rights later this year.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released its plan to spend $80 billion in funding over the next decade, with Commissioner Danny Werfel reassuring taxpayers that they don't need to worry about an increase in audits. The money is meant to support the agency in cracking down on tax cheats and providing better service to taxpayers, with the IRS expected to collect more than $100 billion in new revenue over a 10-year period. The agency plans to use the money to improve customer service, update outdated technology, and hire additional staff to help with enforcement and compliance.
The House Judiciary Committee has issued a subpoena to former New York County Special Assistant District Attorney Mark Pomerantz, who had previously led an investigation into former President Donald Trump's finances. Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is seeking Pomerantz's testimony in order to investigate the prosecution of Trump by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Pomerantz had resigned from the Manhattan DA’s office in 2022 and publicly criticized Bragg for not charging Trump sooner. The subpoena is the latest development in the ongoing investigation into Trump's finances, and is a sign that the committee is taking the matter seriously.
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is being treated for a lung infection and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia in a Rome hospital. He is in good spirits and his condition is stable, with doctors hopeful for a full recovery. His diagnosis serves as a reminder of the importance of early detection and treatment of chronic conditions.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has been taking luxury trips paid for by a Republican megadonor for decades without disclosing them, prompting criticism from Democrats and calls for stricter ethics rules. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has called for Thomas to be impeached, while other Democratic lawmakers have argued that the court should be subject to the same ethics rules as other branches of government.