Tennessee state Rep. Justin Jones (D) was silenced during a special session on public safety, prompting criticism of the Republican majority's controversial House floor rules. These rules may be adopted permanently, which could significantly impact the ability of minority representatives to participate in the legislative process. Tuesday, House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R) hinted that the rules may be adopted permanently after meeting with Gov. Bill Lee (R).
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Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows took the stand in federal court on Monday in an effort to move his Georgia state racketeering case to federal court, arguing that the allegations relate to his official duties in the Trump administration. Defense attorneys and former prosecutors have deemed the move a "high-stakes gamble" as the federal judge will now need to consider the evidence presented and decide whether or not to move the case to federal court. The outcome of the case will have major implications for the future of the prosecution.
CMS has announced the first 10 prescription drugs to be subject to Medicare price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act, which is estimated to account for one-fifth of the program's total spending. This shift from the current system, which has been barred from negotiating drug costs, is expected to have a positive impact on the cost of prescription drugs for the 65 million people in the US covered by Medicare.
Harrison Floyd, the former director of Black Voices for Trump, has been jailed as a result of the Georgia election interference case involving former President Donald Trump. He was charged with conspiracy to solicit false statements, influencing witnesses, and violating the state's RICO Act. Floyd had turned himself in to the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, and was denied bond due to being considered a potential flight risk. The other 18 co-defendants in the case are still facing charges, but have not been jailed.
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy made controversial remarks comparing Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley and author Ibram X. Kendi to "grand wizards of the modern KKK". His comments have been met with criticism from both sides of the aisle, but he has yet to respond or issue an apology. His campaign has also not commented on the remarks.
A Texas judge has blocked a state law that would have banned transition-related medical care for minors, while a Missouri judge ruled that a similar ban in that state can take effect on Monday. The ruling in Missouri means that health care providers are prohibited from providing gender-affirming surgeries to minors, with the exception of those who began puberty blockers or hormones before Monday. Physicians who violate the law face having their licenses revoked and being sued by patients, and the law has been met with strong opposition from civil rights groups. The legal fight over efforts by conservatives to restrict transition-related medical care is ongoing.
The FDA and CDC are expecting to approve a new COVID-19 booster shot to broaden immunity against currently circulating variants of the virus in the coming weeks. Vaccinated Americans are being warned against seeking out another booster this month, and instead should continue to follow safety protocols and get the current vaccine now. The updated booster shot will be available to the public in mid-September.
A U.S. military jet crashed near the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, California late Thursday night, leaving the fate of its pilot unknown. Search and rescue efforts are underway, with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department providing assistance. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and MCAS Miramar houses over 12,000 Marines, sailors, and civilians.