West Virginia Governor Jim Justice is expected to announce his campaign for the U.S. Senate on Thursday, challenging incumbent Senator Joe Manchin in a race that could determine the majority in the upper chamber. Manchin has responded with a statement emphasizing his focus on lowering healthcare costs and protecting Social Security and Medicare. Justice and Manchin will battle for the seat in a heated race, with Justice's support for Trump and Manchin's moderate stance sure to make it an interesting one.
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Walt Disney Co. has filed a lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, accusing him of launching a "targeted campaign of government retaliation" in response to Disney's criticism of the state's "Don't Say Gay" law. The complaint alleges that DeSantis' actions have threatened Disney's business operations and violated its constitutional rights. Reports have emerged that DeSantis is preparing to jump into the presidential fray, potentially as soon as mid-May, which could have an impact on the state and its citizens.
Missouri Judge Ellen Ribaudo has temporarily blocked a rule restricting access to gender-affirming health care for transgender kids and adults, just hours before it was set to take effect. Transgender Missourians and health care providers had sued to stop it, arguing that the Attorney General had acted beyond his authority. The ruling is a victory for transgender rights advocates, but the legal battle is likely to continue.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is making progress on his $4.8 trillion package, which would enable the House GOP to use the debt-ceiling as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the Senate and White House. After making changes overnight to win over holdouts, McCarthy is inching closer to passing the bill on the House floor, with a vote expected as early as today. This vote is a major test for McCarthy, who must not lose more than four GOP votes for the bill to pass, and will be a key indicator of his ability to lead the House GOP and negotiate with the Senate and White House.
Montana House Speaker has refused to allow transgender lawmaker Rep. Zooey Zephyr to speak on the House floor until she apologizes for comments she made about a bill to ban gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. In response, activists held a "die-in" protest in the state Capitol rotunda to demonstrate their support for Zephyr, who has refused to apologize and is continuing to fight for the rights of transgender people in Montana.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has invited Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to testify at an upcoming hearing on ethics reform, following recent revelations about a billionaire GOP mega-donor's friendship with one of the justices. Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL) noted that since 2011, there has been a steady stream of ethical issues, and the hearing will be an opportunity for the Supreme Court to address these and provide the public with more information. It is unclear whether Roberts will accept the invitation, but the hearing is expected to take place in early May.
The House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday that would bar schools receiving federal money from allowing transgender athletes whose biological sex assigned at birth was male to compete on girls or women's sports teams or athletic events. Supporters of the bill say it is necessary to ensure competitive fairness, while the White House has said President Joe Biden would veto the measure if it were to make it to his desk. The bill now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to face an uphill battle.
Key takeaways: Tennessee Senate has passed a bill that would protect gun and ammunition dealers, manufacturers and sellers against lawsuits. The bill is heading to…