National

Actor Matthew McConaughey, in an op-ed for the Austin American-Statesman on  Sunday, applauded the bipartisan federal gun bill that President Biden signed into law on Saturday as an example of the power of compromise. 

The big picture: The law enhanced background checks for people under 21, increased funding for mental health and school safety and provided incentives for states to implement "red flag" laws. It's the most significant federal gun legislation passed in nearly 30 years.

What he's saying: "By coming together and finding a sensible balance, a bipartisan group of lawmakers passed a bill that will help solve a problem we all agree is unbearable," McConaughey wrote. 

"While this bill isn’t perfect, it is a shining example of a great American potential and political virtue: the act of compromise and validating an opposing viewpoint."

"This is a quintessential virtue of America, where two seemingly contradictory approaches to the same problem can be true at the same time, AND, when combined, actually reveal a more useful and powerful solution than either on its own."

"For responsible gun owners, this bill does not take your guns away or restrict access to firearms," McConaughey wrote. 

"This bill will save innocent lives by keeping guns out of the law-breaking and irresponsible hands that are trying to hijack the Second Amendment."

Background: McConaughey, a native of Uvalde, Texas, visited the White House this month to advocate for gun control legislation after a gunman killed 19 children and two adults at an elementary school there.

Matthew McConaughey: Gun bill "a shining example" of compromise

The law is the most significant federal gun legislation in nearly 30 years.

Actor Matthew McConaughey speaks during the daily briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on June 7. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Gun control

Actor Matthew McConaughey, in an op-ed for the Austin American-Statesman on Sunday, applauded the bipartisan federal gun bill that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Biden signed into law on Saturday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/25/biden-bipartisan-gun-safety-bill-law" data-vars-content-id="07dc9d0f-69b3-4f14-8d4a-6fc3adbf460a" data-vars-headline="Matthew McConaughey: Gun bill &quot;a shining example&quot; of compromise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/25/biden-bipartisan-gun-safety-bill-law" target="_self">President Biden signed into law on Saturday</a> as an example of the power of compromise. The big picture: The law enhanced background checks for people under 21, increased funding for mental health and school safety and provided incentives for states to implement &quot;red flag&quot; laws. It&#x27;s the most significant federal gun legislation passed in nearly 30 years.

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

A New York judge on Monday ruled that a New York City law granting noncitizens the right to vote violates the state's constitution.

The big picture: The New York City Council in December voted to allow noncitizens to vote in municipal elections starting in 2023.

After New York City Mayor Eric Adams allowed the law to take effect in January, more than 800,000 permanent legal residents and green card holders became eligible to vote in local elections.

Driving the news: State Supreme Court Justice Ralph Porzio struck down the law, saying New York City exceeded the authority granted to it by the New York State Constitution.

Porzio noted that both the state constitution and state election law expressly mention that "citizens meeting the age and residency requirements are entitled to register and vote in elections."

"Though voting is a right that so many citizens take for granted, the City of New York cannot 'obviate' the restrictions imposed by the Constitution," he added.

What they're saying: "The RNC is proud to head a broad coalition in successfully challenging this unconstitutional scheme and will continue to lead the effort across the country to ensure only citizens can vote in America’s elections," Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement. The RNC was party to the lawsuit.

Editor's note: This article was updated to include a statement from the Republican National Committee

Judge strikes down NYC law granting voting rights to noncitizens

A State Supreme Court judge from Staten Island ruled that the law violates the state's constitution.

The sun sets on the skyline of lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center in New York City on June 20. Photo: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images

Voting

A New York judge on Monday ruled that a New York City law <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="granting noncitizens the right to vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/12/09/new-york-city-noncitizens-voting-rights-local-elections" data-vars-content-id="288ff8c8-17ea-4c21-bb1f-3c36903ab83d" data-vars-headline="Judge strikes down NYC law granting voting rights to noncitizens" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/12/09/new-york-city-noncitizens-voting-rights-local-elections" target="_self">granting noncitizens the right to vote</a> violates the state&#x27;s constitution.The big picture: The New York City Council in December voted to allow noncitizens to vote in municipal elections starting in 2023.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson reiterated his belief that the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is a "backward step" during an interview with CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday.

Why it matters: Human rights groups and global leaders have warned the court's ruling could have wide-reaching consequences for reproductive rights around the world, writes Axios' Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath.

Johnson was among the world leaders to criticize the ruling when it came out Friday, along with French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Driving the news: "The Roe v. Wade judgment, when it came out, it was of huge importance psychologically for people around the world, and it spoke of the advancement of the rights of women," Johnson said Sunday. "I regret what seems to me to be a backward step."

"I want to be very clear about that," he said. "I think the United States, for me, it remains a shining city on a hill. It's an incredible guarantor of values, democracy, freedom around the world."

Yes, but: Johnson added he doesn't think the rollback of abortion rights hurts America's role as a representative of rights and freedom. 

The big picture: The ruling makes the U.S. a global outlier on abortion rights, joining just three other countries that have rolled back abortion access since 1994, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights. In the last 25 years, nearly 60 countries have liberalized their abortion laws.

Go deeper: What happens now that the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade

Boris Johnson: Roe v. Wade reversal "a backward step"

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the Constitution does not protect a right to abortion, effectively ending federal protections for abortion.

Boris Johnson

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson reiterated his belief that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Supreme Court&#x27;s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/24/roe-wade-decision-abortion" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/24/roe-wade-decision-abortion" target="_self">the Supreme Court&#x27;s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade</a> is a &quot;backward step&quot; during an interview with CNN&#x27;s &quot;State of the Union&quot; on Sunday.Why it matters: Human rights groups and global leaders have warned the court&#x27;s ruling could have wide-reaching consequences for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reproductive rights around the world" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/24/abortion-roe-wade-worldwide-reproductive-rights-reactions" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/24/abortion-roe-wade-worldwide-reproductive-rights-reactions" target="_self">reproductive rights around the world</a>, writes Axios&#x27; Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath.

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

World

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) suggested Sunday he's not comfortable with the lack of exceptions for incest or rape in an abortion ban he signed three years ago.

Driving the news: The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade Friday triggered a 2019 Arkansas law that bans abortion in all cases except to save the life of the mother.

What he's saying: "I would have preferred a different outcome than that," Hutchinson said on NBC's "Meet the Press" when host Chuck Todd pointed out that that a 13-year-old who was raped by a relative couldn't get an abortion under the law.

"But that's not the debate today in Arkansas. It might be in the future, but for now, the law triggered with only one exception." 

Hutchinson signed the law as governor in 2019, and has previously said he personally believes abortion bans should have exceptions for rape and incest. He told CNN in May he wanted the exceptions but couldn't get the support of his legislature.

"If Roe v. Wade is reversed, these are going to become real circumstances. I think the debate and discussion will continue," Hutchinson said in May.

Yes, but: At a news conference for the certification of the 2019 law on Friday, Hutchinson said he wouldn't ask the Arkansas legislature to revisit the state's abortion law and make exceptions for rape or incest.

"The certification is what it is in terms of the exceptions for the life of the mother," Hutchinson said. "I do not see any additional action on that. The people have spoken on that through their elected representatives, and that is the law of the land in this state."

Worth noting: Hutchinson on "Meet the Press" Sunday added he does not support a national ban on abortion, and that the decision should be left to the states.

"I don't believe that we ought to go back to saying there ought to be a national law that's passed," he said. "We've fought for 50 years to have this returned to the states. We've won that battle. It's back to the states. Let's let it be resolved there."

Go deeper: The end of Roe v. Wade in Arkansas

NW Arkansas

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Arkansas Gov. Hutchinson laments lack of exceptions for rape, incest in abortion ban

Asa Hutchinson has previously said he personally believes abortion bans should have exceptions for rape and incest.

Abortion

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) suggested Sunday he&#x27;s not comfortable with the lack of exceptions for incest or rape in an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="abortion ban he signed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2022/06/24/state-attorney-general-abortions-arkansas-illegal" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2022/06/24/state-attorney-general-abortions-arkansas-illegal" target="_self">abortion ban he signed</a> three years ago.Driving the news: The Supreme Court&#x27;s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade Friday <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="triggered a 2019 Arkansas law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2022/06/24/end-roe-v-wade-arkansas-abortion" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2022/06/24/end-roe-v-wade-arkansas-abortion" target="_self">triggered a 2019 Arkansas law</a> that bans abortion in all cases except to save the life of the mother.

The classic July 4 cookout — complete with cheeseburgers, chicken and potato salad — will cost Americans much more this year.

The big picture: Amid record inflation, most Fourth of July staples have seen an increase in price over last year, with food prices up as much as 36%, according to a recent survey from the American Farm Bureau Federation.

The Consumer Price Index, a key gauge of inflation, accelerated by 8.6% from a year earlier in May, the fastest pace in over 40 years.

The details: The average cost of a summer cookout for 10 people this year is $69.68, up 17% from 2021, according to the survey, which pointed to supply chain problems, inflation and the war in Ukraine for the increase in prices.

Ground beef saw the biggest increase in price, rising 36% from a year ago.

Boneless, skinless chicken breast, pork chops, and pork and beans also saw price increases of over 30% in one year.

Overall, consumers can expect to spend 17% more on food for a barbecue this year, marking the biggest increase since the lobbying organization began tracking data a decade ago.

But not everything will be more expensive this year. Per the survey, the price of strawberries — and sliced cheese — went down by 16% and 13%, respectively.

Go deeper: U.S. inflation rate is in the middle of the pack globally

July 4 cookouts will cost Americans 17% more this year: survey

The classic July 4 cookout — complete with cheeseburgers, chicken and potato salad — will cost you a lot more this year.

Paulo Rodredo (left) and Ney Santos of Philadelphia at the grill on July 4, 2020. Photo: Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images

Fourth of July

The classic July 4 cookout — complete with cheeseburgers, chicken and potato salad — will cost Americans much more this year.The big picture: Amid record inflation, most Fourth of July staples have seen an increase in price over last year, with food prices up as much as 36%, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent survey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fb.org/newsroom/cost-of-july-4th-cookout-17-higher-compared-to-year-ago" data-vars-content-id="cf322c42-d6c4-440d-b730-4e8cfa2c3072" data-vars-headline="July 4 cookouts will cost Americans 17% more this year: survey" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fb.org/newsroom/cost-of-july-4th-cookout-17-higher-compared-to-year-ago" target="_blank">recent survey</a> from the American Farm Bureau Federation.

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.

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July 4 cookouts will cost Americans 17% more this year: survey

Judge strikes down NYC law granting voting rights to noncitizens

Matthew McConaughey: Gun bill "a shining example" of compromise

Arkansas Gov. Hutchinson laments lack of exceptions for rape, incest in abortion ban

Boris Johnson: Roe v. Wade reversal "a backward step"