National

DOJ: States can't penalize VA doctors and nurses for legal abortions

Judge temporarily blocks Indiana's near-total abortion ban

West Virginia passes near-total abortion ban

California launches abortion website in bid to fortify information access

Affordability questions linger around over-the-counter birth control

FDA schedules meeting to review over-the-counter birth control pill

Clinics forced to push abortions later in pregnancy amid state bans

Clinics overwhelmed with out-of-state patients push abortions later in pregnancy

South Carolina's near-total abortion ban fails after senator threatens filibuster

Michigan judge: State's 1931 anti-abortion law is unconstitutional

Victims of rape can take emergency contraception, Texas governor says

VA to offer abortion to pregnant veterans in some cases

Data: Axios research; Cartogram: Sara Wise and Oriana Gonzalez/Axios

Abortion will immediately become illegal in at least 13 states after the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, and more will likely quickly follow suit, Axios' Oriana Gonzalez reports.

Why it matters: The Supreme Court's Friday ruling grants states the legal authority to ban the procedure at any point in a pregnancy — including at fertilization.

"The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives," Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the 6-3 ruling.

The Supreme Court issued a 6-3 ruling on June 24.

Alito wrote the court's opinion. Joining him were Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

Chief Justice John Roberts voted with the majority but indicated he would've stopped short of fully overturning Roe.

The court's three liberal members — Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan — dissented.

Dashboard: The latest on Roe v. Wade and abortion

A small group of abortion rights activists march from the U.S. Supreme Court to the House of Representatives office buildings on Capitol Hill on July 6, 2022.

A small group of abortion rights activists march from the Supreme Court to the House of Representatives office buildings on July 6. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Roe v. Wade

Axios Explains: Abortion

<h5>The latest: </h5><ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DOJ: States can&#x27;t penalize VA doctors and nurses for legal abortions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/22/doj-veterans-affairs-nurses-doctors-abortions" data-vars-content-id="243ccb0b-9b8f-4f3c-91a2-0956320c51d2" data-vars-headline="Dashboard: The latest on Roe v. Wade and abortion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/22/doj-veterans-affairs-nurses-doctors-abortions" target="_self">DOJ: States can&#x27;t penalize VA doctors and nurses for legal abortions</a></li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Judge temporarily blocks Indiana&#x27;s near-total abortion ban" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/22/judge-block-indiana-abortion-ban" data-vars-content-id="243ccb0b-9b8f-4f3c-91a2-0956320c51d2" data-vars-headline="Dashboard: The latest on Roe v. Wade and abortion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/22/judge-block-indiana-abortion-ban" target="_self">Judge temporarily blocks Indiana&#x27;s near-total abortion ban</a></li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Abortion looms over 2022 state ballots" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/22/abortion-five-state-ballot-roe" data-vars-content-id="243ccb0b-9b8f-4f3c-91a2-0956320c51d2" data-vars-headline="Dashboard: The latest on Roe v. Wade and abortion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/22/abortion-five-state-ballot-roe" target="_self">Abortion looms over 2022 state ballots</a></li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="West Virginia passes near-total abortion ban" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/13/west-virginia-total-abortion-ban" data-vars-content-id="243ccb0b-9b8f-4f3c-91a2-0956320c51d2" data-vars-headline="Dashboard: The latest on Roe v. Wade and abortion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/13/west-virginia-total-abortion-ban" target="_self">West Virginia passes near-total abortion ban</a></li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California launches abortion website in bid to fortify information access" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/13/california-abortion-website-newsom" data-vars-content-id="243ccb0b-9b8f-4f3c-91a2-0956320c51d2" data-vars-headline="Dashboard: The latest on Roe v. Wade and abortion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/13/california-abortion-website-newsom" target="_self">California launches abortion website in bid to fortify information access</a></li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Affordability questions linger around over-the-counter birth control" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/13/birth-control-fda-approval-insurance" data-vars-content-id="243ccb0b-9b8f-4f3c-91a2-0956320c51d2" data-vars-headline="Dashboard: The latest on Roe v. Wade and abortion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/13/birth-control-fda-approval-insurance" target="_self">Affordability questions linger around over-the-counter birth control</a></li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FDA schedules meeting to review over-the-counter birth control pill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/12/fda-meeting-over-the-counter-birth-control-pill" data-vars-content-id="243ccb0b-9b8f-4f3c-91a2-0956320c51d2" data-vars-headline="Dashboard: The latest on Roe v. Wade and abortion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/12/fda-meeting-over-the-counter-birth-control-pill" target="_self">FDA schedules meeting to review over-the-counter birth control pill</a></li></ul>

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

Health: New analysis supports Paxlovid use — Superbugs are a "second punch" after pandemic — Some racial groups saw steeper life expectancy drops, CDC data shows.

Vaccines: Experts alarmed by COVID vaccination rates among America's youngest kids — Why we need to be talking about vaccines that offer "mucosal immunity" — Top health officials say COVID vaccines will likely become annual.

Politics: "Biden clarifies comments declaring "pandemic over."

States: New York City ends its vaccine mandate for private businesses.

Economy: Rural hospitals face funding cliff with $600 million on the line — End of government purchases may make COVID drugs less lucrative — Commercializing COVID likely means more out-of-pocket costs.

World: Pfizer to supply 6 million Paxlovid treatments to Global Fund.

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 9:30 p.m. ET on Thursday: 613,998,185 — Total deaths: 6,533,735 — Total vaccine doses administered: 12,248,814,889

U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 9:30 p.m. ET on Thursday: 95,968,341 — Total deaths: 1,055,912

What should I do? Axios asked the experts:

When you can be around others after contracting the coronavirus

Traveling, asthma, dishes, disinfectants and being contagious

Answers about the virus from Axios experts

Download our app and follow the Coronavirus channel to get the latest news.

Editor's note: Johns Hopkins University stopped reporting U.S. COVID-19 recoveries on its dashboard on Dec. 15, citing a Coronavirus Tracking Project post that explained the national data is incomplete since several states do not keep records of recovered patients. It stopped reporting global recoveries and began reporting doses administered in May. 

COVID-19 dashboard

The latest headlines that you need to know.

Illustration of a covid particle under a pattern if international currency shaped like concentric circles and a no-sign over the particle.

Health Care

Coronavirus

World

Politics

<ol><li>Health: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New analysis supports Paxlovid use" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/22/analysis-paxlovid-pfizer-covid" data-vars-content-id="57a186a3-7547-45bf-852a-83019849d8d5" data-vars-headline="COVID-19 dashboard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/22/analysis-paxlovid-pfizer-covid" target="_self">New analysis supports Paxlovid use</a> — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Superbugs are a &quot;second punch&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/09/superbug-antibiotic-resistance-pandemic" data-vars-content-id="57a186a3-7547-45bf-852a-83019849d8d5" data-vars-headline="COVID-19 dashboard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/09/superbug-antibiotic-resistance-pandemic" target="_self">Superbugs are a &quot;second punch&quot;</a> after pandemic — Some racial groups saw <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="steeper life expectancy drops" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/02/cdc-race-life-expectancy-drop" data-vars-content-id="57a186a3-7547-45bf-852a-83019849d8d5" data-vars-headline="COVID-19 dashboard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/02/cdc-race-life-expectancy-drop" target="_self">steeper life expectancy drops</a>, CDC data shows.</li><li>Vaccines: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Experts alarmed by COVID vaccination rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/19/children-covid-19-vaaccinations-pandemic-variants" data-vars-content-id="57a186a3-7547-45bf-852a-83019849d8d5" data-vars-headline="COVID-19 dashboard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/19/children-covid-19-vaaccinations-pandemic-variants" target="_self">Experts alarmed by COVID vaccination rates</a> among America&#x27;s youngest kids — Why we need to be talking about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccines that offer &quot;mucosal immunity&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/13/why-vaccines-mucosal-immunity-covid" data-vars-content-id="57a186a3-7547-45bf-852a-83019849d8d5" data-vars-headline="COVID-19 dashboard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/13/why-vaccines-mucosal-immunity-covid" target="_self">vaccines that offer &quot;mucosal immunity&quot;</a> — Top health officials say COVID <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccines will likely become annual" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/06/us-health-officials-annual-coronavirus-vaccines" data-vars-content-id="57a186a3-7547-45bf-852a-83019849d8d5" data-vars-headline="COVID-19 dashboard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/06/us-health-officials-annual-coronavirus-vaccines" target="_self">vaccines will likely become annual</a>.</li><li>Politics: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Biden clarifies comments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/21/biden-on-comments-declaring-pandemic-over" data-vars-content-id="57a186a3-7547-45bf-852a-83019849d8d5" data-vars-headline="COVID-19 dashboard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/21/biden-on-comments-declaring-pandemic-over" target="_self">&quot;Biden clarifies comments</a> declaring &quot;pandemic over.&quot;</li><li>States: New York City <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ends its vaccine mandate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/20/nyc-ends-vaccine-mandate-private-businesses" data-vars-content-id="57a186a3-7547-45bf-852a-83019849d8d5" data-vars-headline="COVID-19 dashboard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/20/nyc-ends-vaccine-mandate-private-businesses" target="_self">ends its vaccine mandate</a> for private businesses.</li><li>Economy: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rural hospitals face funding cliff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/21/rural-hospitals-face-funding-cliff" data-vars-content-id="57a186a3-7547-45bf-852a-83019849d8d5" data-vars-headline="COVID-19 dashboard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/21/rural-hospitals-face-funding-cliff" target="_self">Rural hospitals face funding cliff</a> with $600 million on the line — End of government purchases <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="may make COVID drugs less lucrative" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/09/coronavirus-vaccines-treatments-pfizer-moderna-revenue" data-vars-content-id="57a186a3-7547-45bf-852a-83019849d8d5" data-vars-headline="COVID-19 dashboard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/09/coronavirus-vaccines-treatments-pfizer-moderna-revenue" target="_self">may make COVID drugs less lucrative</a> — Commercializing COVID likely means <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more out-of-pocket costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/07/coronavirus-health-insurance-tests-treatments-vaccines" data-vars-content-id="57a186a3-7547-45bf-852a-83019849d8d5" data-vars-headline="COVID-19 dashboard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/07/coronavirus-health-insurance-tests-treatments-vaccines" target="_self">more out-of-pocket costs</a>.</li><li>World: Pfizer to supply <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="6 million Paxlovid treatments to Global Fund" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/22/pfizer-paxlovid-global-fund" data-vars-content-id="57a186a3-7547-45bf-852a-83019849d8d5" data-vars-headline="COVID-19 dashboard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/22/pfizer-paxlovid-global-fund" target="_self">6 million Paxlovid treatments to Global Fund</a>.</li><li>Deep dive: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Long COVID crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/07/axios-am-deep-dive-long-covid-crisis" data-vars-content-id="57a186a3-7547-45bf-852a-83019849d8d5" data-vars-headline="COVID-19 dashboard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/07/axios-am-deep-dive-long-covid-crisis" target="_self">The Long COVID crisis</a>.</li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Variant tracker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/variants-tracker" data-vars-content-id="57a186a3-7547-45bf-852a-83019849d8d5" data-vars-headline="COVID-19 dashboard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/variants-tracker" target="_self">Variant tracker</a></li></ol>

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.

The U.S. faces a range of health care flashpoints — unaffordable drugs, opioids, vaping — as we debate whether to adopt universal care. For now, the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, but Republicans want to issue it a final death blow.

Health

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.

Economy & Business

4 Russian-controlled Ukraine regions vote on whether to join Russia

Zelensky calls for special tribunal to punish Russia in UN speech

Biden rebukes Russia's "outrageous" invasion of Ukraine in UN speech

Ukraine asks Israel to share intel on Iranian support to Russian military

Putin announces partial military mobilization for Russian citizens

Kremlin-backed separatists in Ukraine plan votes to join Russia

UN: 345 million at risk of starvation as Ukraine war worsens crisis

The Institute for the Study of War with AEI’s Critical Threats Project; Map: Axios Visuals

The crisis in eastern Ukraine escalated drastically on Feb. 21 when Putin recognized two pro-Russian separatist "republics" and sent Russian "peacekeepers" to the territories.

Ukraine has been battling Russian-backed separatists in the east since 2014, when Russia also occupied and annexed the Crimean Peninsula. U.S. officials began warning in November that Putin could be planning another incursion, possibly to topple the pro-Western government in Kyiv.

The U.S. and its European allies had met with Russian officials in a variety of settings to try to build a diplomatic off-ramp, while also warning that an invasion could be imminent.

Russia had issued a series of demands, including a legal guarantee that Ukraine will never join NATO. At the same time, Putin amassed more than 150,000 troops along Ukraine's borders and conducted unprecedented military drills — preparing the option to take military action if Russia didn't secure the concessions it was seeking.

What counts as a war crime and why they're so hard to prosecute

Why Ukraine wants a no-fly zone — but is unlikely to get one

The "kamikaze" drones the U.S. is giving to Ukraine

What Russia's war in Ukraine means for global economic growth

What global companies are abandoning Russia, and why

Divesting from Russia is easier said than done

How Russia's invasion of Ukraine is changing air travel

What to know about Ukraine's wartime president

Here are the Russian oligarchs speaking out against invading Ukraine

Why gas prices are so high and what Biden can do about it

Dashboard: Russian invasion of Ukraine

The remains of buildings in Hrakove on Sept. 22, which Ukrainian forces reclaimed after Russia's military retreated from the Ukrainian village, southeast of Kharkiv earlier this month. Photo: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Axios Explains: Ukraine

Russia

Ukraine

<h5>The latest:</h5><ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="4 Russian-controlled Ukraine regions vote on whether to join Russia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/23/russian-controlled-ukraine-regions-russia-vote" data-vars-content-id="873196c6-15a2-47a0-8360-e3db5af96b3c" data-vars-headline="Dashboard: Russian invasion of Ukraine" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/23/russian-controlled-ukraine-regions-russia-vote" target="_self">4 Russian-controlled Ukraine regions vote on whether to join Russia</a></li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Putin&#x27;s escalation gamble" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/22/putin-gambles-mobilization-annexation-ukraine" data-vars-content-id="873196c6-15a2-47a0-8360-e3db5af96b3c" data-vars-headline="Dashboard: Russian invasion of Ukraine" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/22/putin-gambles-mobilization-annexation-ukraine" target="_self">Putin&#x27;s escalation gamble</a></li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zelensky calls for special tribunal to punish Russia in UN speech" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/21/zelensky-seeks-special-tribunal-punish-russia" data-vars-content-id="873196c6-15a2-47a0-8360-e3db5af96b3c" data-vars-headline="Dashboard: Russian invasion of Ukraine" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/21/zelensky-seeks-special-tribunal-punish-russia" target="_self">Zelensky calls for special tribunal to punish Russia in UN speech</a></li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Biden rebukes Russia&#x27;s &quot;outrageous&quot; invasion of Ukraine in UN speech" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/21/biden-russia-ukraine-invasion-united-nations-spech" data-vars-content-id="873196c6-15a2-47a0-8360-e3db5af96b3c" data-vars-headline="Dashboard: Russian invasion of Ukraine" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/21/biden-russia-ukraine-invasion-united-nations-spech" target="_self">Biden rebukes Russia&#x27;s &quot;outrageous&quot; invasion of Ukraine in UN speech</a></li></ul>

With midterms right around the corner, last week saw a bump in voters showing interest in immigration over abortion.

Plus, the U.S. sanctions Iran, after the death of a woman in police custody. 

And, passengers say they’re more frustrated with U.S. airports.

Guests: Axios' Margaret Talev and Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath.

Credits: Axios Today is produced by Erica Pandey, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.

Search interest in abortion falls as the border rises

Ginni Thomas agrees to interview with Jan. 6 select committee

U.S. sanctions Iran's morality police over death of woman in custody

ERICA PANDEY: Good morning! Welcome to Axios Today! 

I’m Erica Pandey in for Niala Boodhoo. 

Here’s what you need to know today: the U.S. sanctions Iran after the death of a woman in police custody. Plus, passengers say they’re more frustrated with U.S. airports.

But first, immigration becomes a top issue for midterm voters: that’s today’s One Big Thing.

The fallout from classified documents found at Trump's Mar-a-Lago home, the January 6th committee's plans for next week, and new issues take the spotlight ahead of the midterms. Those are the big stories we're gonna talk about today as we wrap up this week in politics with Margaret Talev. Margaret, the first hearing in the Trump Mar-a-Lago case happened on Tuesday. What did we learn?

MARGARET TALEV: Well, Erica, I think we learned that, uh, Raymond Dearie, the special master 78 year old, uh, longtime judge on the foreign intelligence surveillance court who Donald Trump and his team thought maybe would be a friendly for him, uh, that he is so far anything, but. He's really come out of the gate, saying, the former president's lawyers have until the end of this month to actually raise any factual disputes, he's saying they need to go on the record in court and say whether they actually think FBI agents lied about what was seized or whether they don't think that.

ERICA: Ginni Thomas, who's the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and a conservative activist, has agreed to sit down for a voluntary interview with the House January 6th select committee. What's the significance of this?

MARGARET: I mean, it could be very significant. Of course it's obvious why the committee has wanted to talk to her for months now. Text messages that have been obtained, reporting that it's been out there in the public eye for months now, that showed that Ginni Thomas had played quite an active role  once upon a time in encouraging Mark Meadows, you'll remember, that was former president Trump's then Chief of Staff, encouraging Mark Meadows to get involved in trying to overturn the 2020 election. We know that Ginni Thomas, at least for a portion of it, attended that January 6th rally. So putting Ginni Thomas on the record with how actively was she pushing for change inside that White House? And, uh, what are the firewalls between her and her husband who of course is a Supreme Court Justice.

ERICA: Zooming out a little bit the midterms are right around the corner and Democrats thought abortion would be a top issue in the election. Last week has seen a bump in voters showing interest in immigration. What's going on here?

MARGARET: I still think abortion is gonna be a huge driving issue. It's probably Democrat's strongest issue in terms of energizing, not just their base, but in terms of turning out centrist voters and suburban female voters around the country. Having said that, we can look at metrics like Google searches and we can see where people's interest is rising and falling. And what that shows us is that over the course of the last few weeks, both Google searches and social media engagement around abortion has really taken a dip as interest around crime and immigration has risen. You know, Ron DeSantis, the governor in Florida, Greg Abbott  the governor in Texas, you've seen these figures, ride headlines about, um basically busing or flying, asylum seekers or undocumented migrants to Democratic cities and states. And there's been a lot of discussion about you know whether, you know, whether that's appropriate or whether these are human pawn, but the bottom line is whether it helps or hurts these Republican candidates who are the face of it. It unquestionably shifts the conversation away from abortion and to immigration and Republicans believe that is helping them I think in the final weeks of this election we are just gonna see an enormous amount of energy in advertising, as well as messaging on crime and on immigration as well as on abortion.

ERICA: Margaret Talev is Axios’ Managing Editor for politics. Thanks Margaret.

In a moment, the U.S. reacts to mass outrage in Iran.

The U.S. sanctions Iran after the death of a woman in police custody

ERICA: Welcome back to Axios Today. I'm Erica Pandey in for Niala Boodhoo.

It's been a week since 22 year old Mahsa Amini died in police custody in Iran. She was arrested for allegedly violating a religious law requiring women to cover their hair. There are reports that she had been beaten. The force known as Iran's Morality Police say Amini died of a heart attack in detention after three days and was not mistreated. Though her family has said she was a healthy young woman with no preexisting conditions. Since her death protests have erupted all over Iran. And on Thursday, the US Department of Treasury put sanctions on Iran's law enforcement in response to Amini’s death.

Axios Lauren-Whitney Gottbreath is here with the big picture. Lauren-Whitney, what are these sanctions and what will they mean for Iran?

LAURIN-WHITNEY GOTTBREATH: So these sanctions, target Iran's morality, police as well as seven senior leaders of Iranian security institutions who the US say participate in sort of the mass crackdown on protesters, including violence against protesters and with these sanctions, all property and interest and property of the individuals and the entities that have been sanctioned in the United States or that the US currently controls we'll be blocked by the United States. So, in practical terms, the sanctions might not mean all that much considering there are a lot of sanctions already on Iran by the US and it's unknown how much property these individuals currently have. But what the treasury has done is sent sort of a big statement to Iran condemning not only Mahsa's death, but also the crackdown on protestors.

ERICA: So put these protests in context for me a little bit. Since the Islamic revolution in 1979, Iranian women have been required to cover their hair and dress modestly and women at this protest have been burning their hijabs in the streets and cutting their hair. What is the Iranian people's history with protesting the government and could we see change resulting from this based on that precedent?

LAURIN-WHITNEY: Certainly. So this is probably some of the worst unrest Iran has seen since 2019, when there was sort of mass protest over fuel prices and other economic conditions. And what we saw in 2019 was massive crackdown on protestors and unfortunately lots of deaths. Now, as to whether Iran will reckon with the things that Iranian women and their supporters are calling for, including, potentially getting rid of this role on hijab, I think that's a question that I can't answer. That being said, I do think Iran is sort of having a moment, and it's really a matter of how far the government takes the crack down.

ERICA: So from a social media standpoint WhatsApp and Instagram have been reported restricted in Iran as of Wednesday, what has been the reaction from the rest of the world on these events?

LAURIN-WHITNEY: Right and it's not just WhatsApp and Instagram now. There's also been a widespread, sort of crackdown on mobile networks inside Iran and sort of wider internet access as well, which is quite troubling and it's what we saw in 2019. Especially because Iranians tend to mobilize on social media. And there's been condemnation across the board from the United States to European countries, to the UN, who are concerned at not only what  the violent crackdown will mean inside the country, but also what it will mean for human rights in the country as a whole.

ERICA: Axios’ Deputy World Editor, Lauren-Whitney Gottbreath. Thanks for joining us.

Passengers say they’re more frustrated with U.S. airports

ERICA: One last thing to leave you with on this Friday: 

When it comes to air travel…it’s 2019 all over again. With traffic back to pre-pandemic levels, airports are a huge source of frustration for travelers once again. That’s the big takeaway from J.D. Power's latest annual Airport Satisfaction Study, which says overall satisfaction has fallen 25 points this year, for a score of 777 out of 1,000. Flyers’ biggest gripes are overcrowding; expensive food and beverages, as inflation takes its toll… and terrible parking.

Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport had the highest passenger satisfaction score among major airports, at 800 – while Newark Liberty International Airport was dead last – after a year where it’s been plagued with major delays. Wherever you’re heading this weekend or in the months ahead…we wish you luck.

And that’s all for this week. Axios Today is produced by Fonda Mwangi, Robin Linn and Lydia McMullen-Laird. Our sound engineer is Alex Sugiura. Alexandra Botti is our supervising producer. Sara Kehaulani Goo is Axios’ editor in chief. And special thanks as always to Axios co-founder Mike Allen.

I’m Erica Pandey – stay safe, enjoy your weekend, and Niala Boodhoo will be back with you here on Monday.

Immigration energizes midterm voters

Midterm voters are showing interest in immigration

Midterm elections 2022

Axios Today

With midterms right around the corner, last week saw a bump in voters showing interest in immigration over abortion.<ul><li>Plus, the U.S. sanctions Iran, after the death of a woman in police custody. </li><li>And, passengers say they’re more frustrated with U.S. airports.</li></ul>Guests: Axios&#x27; Margaret Talev and Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath.Credits: Axios Today is produced by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="E" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/authors/nboodhoo" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/authors/nboodhoo" target="_self">E</a>rica Pandey, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sara Kehaulani Goo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/authors/sgoo" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/authors/sgoo" target="_self">Sara Kehaulani Goo</a>, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="podcasts@axios.com" data-vars-click-url="mailto:podcasts@axios.com" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="mailto:podcasts@axios.com" target="_blank">podcasts@axios.com</a>. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go Deeper<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Search interest in abortion falls as the border rises" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/22/midterm-elections-immigration-abortion" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/22/midterm-elections-immigration-abortion" target="_self">Search interest in abortion falls as the border rises</a></li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ginni Thomas agrees to interview with Jan. 6 select committee" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/21/ginni-thomas-jan6-committee" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/21/ginni-thomas-jan6-committee" target="_self">Ginni Thomas agrees to interview with Jan. 6 select committee</a></li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. sanctions Iran&#x27;s morality police over death of woman in custody" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/22/mahsa-amini-protests-iran-us-sanctions-morality-police" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/22/mahsa-amini-protests-iran-us-sanctions-morality-police" target="_self">U.S. sanctions Iran&#x27;s morality police over death of woman in custody</a></li></ul>

Podcasts

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of Russian reserves for the war in Ukraine Wednesday. And in at least 38 cities across Russia, hundreds of people organized protests against the mobilization. 

Plus, what the Fed’s latest rate hike means for the housing market.

And, what’s motivating you to vote or stay home in November.

Guests: Axios' Dave Lawler and Emily Peck.

Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.

Over 1,300 Russians detained in protests against partial military mobilization

Fed raises rates 0.75 percentage points, signals more to come

NIALA: Good morning! Welcome to Axios Today! 

Here’s what we’re following: what the Fed’s latest rate hike means for the housing market. Plus, what’s motivating YOU to vote or stay home this November.

But first, Russians push back on Putin’s call for reservists to fight. That’s today’s One Big Thing.

JOE BIDEN: This war is about extinguishing Ukraine's right to exist as a state, plain and simple. And Ukraine's right to exist as a people. 

NIALA: That's president Biden at the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, hours after Russian president Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of Russian reservists for the war in Ukraine. Putin said he'll order up to 300,000 additional troops in Russia's first military mobilization since World War two. Jailed opposition leader, Alexei Navalny called for mass protests and hundreds did protests in at least 38 cities across Russia. As of last night, at least 1,300 people had been detained. Here to catch us up quick on all of this is Axios World Editor, Dave Lawler. Hi Dave. 

NIALA: Dave. So to be clear, this isn't a draft, is it? And what justification did Putin provide for saying he needed more troops?

DAVE: This is not a draft. This for now, is basically calling up reservists,  importantly, one aspect of this. There are a lot of troops who went to Ukraine on short term contract, those contracts can now be extended. So troops, know, that thought they were spending a short tour in Ukraine maybe there quite a bit longer. This is, you know, also kind of a long term play because these troops need to be trained and equipped some of them, you know, so it's not like it's immediately gonna change the battlefield outlook. But obviously the backdrop to this is that the war is not going very well for Russia.

So that was sort of the, between the lines of Putin's comments. This is the first step down a road of moving beyond this pretext that this is just a limited, special military operation in the east of Ukraine. And basically, you know, admitting by Putin, he needs help to have more success on the battlefield.

NIALA: Putin yesterday also hinted he could turn to nuclear weapons to which he added this isn't a bluff. How did Western countries respond to that yesterday?

DAVE: Unilateral condemnation. There's a lot of concern and a part of the reason for that is that Putin did two things. He said he's gonna partially mobilize his forces. He also said that Russia is going to move toward referendums in these parts of Ukraine that are now controlled by Russia. So he could basically declare those as part of Russia and that changes the equation for nuclear weapons, right? Because he can say these attacks are happening on Russian soil. These Ukrainian offensives are taking place on our land. And so, under Russian military doctrine that could put a nuclear strike in play. Basically, western leaders think Putin's bluffing for now, but it's not a bluff that you necessarily feel comfortable calling on a leader that's quite unpredictable.

NIALA: The protest against mobilization actually violate Russian law, given that how big of a deal is it to see how many people turned out yesterday?

DAVE: Quite significant. We were also looking at flights, sold out of Russia.There were long lines to get across the border from Russia, into neighboring Georgia, overnight. People you know, right now they're not necessarily going to be enlisted into the military, but you know, there's obviously some concern from ordinary Russians that that's where this is heading. And when it's potentially your son, your husband, who's going to go off to war. That brings things home to ordinary Russians, potentially in a way that this war had not up to now. And so it will be really interesting to watch over the next few days, whether these protests grow, and how the Kremlin responds.

NIALA: Dave Lawler is Axios’ World Editor. Thanks Dave.

NIALA: In a moment, the housing market and Fed’s interest rate hike.

What the Fed’s latest rate hike means for the housing market

NIALA: Welcome Axios today. I'm Niala Boodhoo.

The federal reserve raised interest rates by 0.75 percentage points on Wednesday. And the big hike is the Fed's third straight to help fight inflation. And all of this is leaving a mark on the housing market, driving mortgage rates above 6%. In August, data out yesterday, shows that existing home sales fell for the seventh straight month, that's according to the National Association of Realtors. 

Axios' Markets Correspondent Emily Peck has been covering the housing market. Emily, I just provided a lot of data there. What does all of this mean for someone who's looking to buy a house right now?

EMILY PECK: It's good news, bad news I guess. The bad news is mortgage rates are now, as you said, above 6%. Data just this week said the 30 year mortgage rate was 6.25%, that's like more than double what it was during the heydays of the pandemic housing boom. When everyone raced to either buy a house or refinance their mortgage for the lower rate. So mortgage rates are high, that adds hundreds of dollars to your monthly mortgage bill. If you decide to buy a new house with a mortgage at this higher rate. I guess we could spin it Niala that the good news would be this is causing home prices to decline or moderate a little bit and the days of, you know, bidding wars, where it was hard to even buy a house are behind us in most places.

NIALA: And Fed Chairman Jerome Powell talked about this yesterday. He actually talked about supply and demand. Let's hear how he addressed this.

JEROME POWELL: What we need is supply and demand to get better aligned. So that housing prices go up at a reasonable level. At a reasonable pace and that people can afford houses again. And I think we, so we probably in the housing market have to go through a correction to get back to that place. 

NIALA: We've had a red hot housing market, what does a correction look like? 

EMILY: Correction is such a, it's such jargon to disguise pain so many times, but a correction would mean, you know, home prices fall, you know, it could mean the value of your home falls a little bit too. A lot of people get scared when they hear home prices falling and corrections in the real estate market cause people do recall the financial crisis back in the day, 2008, when home prices plummeted and foreclosures skyrocketed, and it was kind of a big ugly mess. And I don't think that's what we're talking about here.

NIALA: You have been reporting though that we've seen significant layoffs happening across the real estate industry. What has that looked like?

EMILY: The labor market as a whole, as we've talked about on this podcast before, is really good. Unemployment is low, all that is fine. But in the mortgage sector there has been some carnage. There's been a lot of layoffs, various companies have gone out of business that were in the mortgage business. I spoke to one woman who was laid off from her job at mortgage provider, Better.com, in March and then interviewed at eight other mortgage companies each one subsequently announced layoffs of their own.

NIALA: So if the housing market, the sales of it cool off, does that mean rents which we know have been skyrocketing also start to slow down?

EMILY: Not necessarily, isn't that wild, people who decide not to buy a house because mortgage rates are so high, what are they gonna do? They're gonna rent. So that's gonna push up demand for rentals. A source I was speaking to yesterday basically said the only way rents are gonna come down is if there's like, essentially a recession and no one really wants that.

NIALA: Axios’ Markets Correspondent Emily Peck. Thanks Emily!

What’s motivating you to vote or stay home in November

NIALA: As we get closer to the midterms, we’ve been hearing from many of you about what’s driving you to vote this November, or to sit this election out. 

ABBY: Hi, Nyla. I'm Abby and I'm from Fort Worth, Texas. This November, I am most concerned about gun reform laws, the way the border and immigration is handled and improving our power grid. 

DAVID: Hello. My name is David Holicz and I am from Highland, Indiana. And I don't wanna vote this November because I feel like things just will not change. Think, for example, the Paris agreement, Obama administration we were in, Donald Trump we were out, Biden were in. And I don't believe that my single vote will impact this vicious cycle. 

Kellie: My name is Kellie calling from the Central Valley in California. What's motivating me to come out to the polls and indeed to invite others to join me is I feel like our pluralist society is under threat. I feel like our rights are being taken away from us. So, I am inviting others to join me at the polls and to save our democracy. 

NIALA: Thanks as always for sharing, and we’ll keep playing your thoughts, so send them our way: you can record a voice memo with the issues most important to you in these midterms, and text it to me at (202) 918-4893.

That’s it for us today! I’m Niala Boodhoo - thanks for listening - stay safe and we’ll see you back here tomorrow morning.

NIALA: Confused by crypto? Can’t keep up with the Metaverse? The Slate Money podcast is here for you. Every week, familiar voices including Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers break down the latest in business and finance news. Listen to Slate Money every Saturday morning wherever you get your podcasts.

Russians push back on Putin

Putin announced a partial mobilization of Russian reserves

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of Russian reserves for the war in Ukraine Wednesday. And in at least 38 cities across Russia, hundreds of people organized protests against the mobilization. <ul><li>Plus, what the Fed’s latest rate hike means for the housing market.</li><li>And, what’s motivating you to vote or stay home in November.</li></ul>Guests: Axios&#x27; Dave Lawler and Emily Peck.Credits: Axios Today is produced by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Niala Boodhoo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/authors/nboodhoo" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/authors/nboodhoo" target="_self">Niala Boodhoo</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sara Kehaulani Goo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/authors/sgoo" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/authors/sgoo" target="_self">Sara Kehaulani Goo</a>, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O&#x27;Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="podcasts@axios.com" data-vars-click-url="mailto:podcasts@axios.com" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="mailto:podcasts@axios.com" target="_blank">podcasts@axios.com</a>. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper:<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Putin announces partial military mobilization for Russian citizens" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/21/putin-announces-partial-military-mobilization-for-russian-citizens" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/21/putin-announces-partial-military-mobilization-for-russian-citizens" target="_self">Putin announces partial military mobilization for Russian citizens</a></li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Over 1,300 Russians detained in protests against partial military mobilization" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/21/russia-flights-putin-partial-mobilization-protests" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/21/russia-flights-putin-partial-mobilization-protests" target="_self">Over 1,300 Russians detained in protests against partial military mobilization</a></li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fed raises rates 0.75 percentage points, signals more to come" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/21/fed-raises-rates-075-percentage-points-signals-more-to-come" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/21/fed-raises-rates-075-percentage-points-signals-more-to-come" target="_self">Fed raises rates 0.75 percentage points, signals more to come</a></li></ul>

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