National

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) this week signed into law a bill that bans transgender athletes from playing on public school and college sports teams that align with their gender identity.

Why it matters: South Carolina is the latest state to enact a law targeting transgender people, following similar legislation enacted in other GOP-led states, including Georgia, Tennessee and Texas.

Details: The law — titled the "Save Women's Sports Act" — requires students to participate in sports based on the "biological sex" listed on birth certificates "filed at or near the time" of birth.

Republican lawmakers argue that the measure ensures fairness in sports, though multiple states that have passed such bans have been unable to provide evidence in their own state or region showing trans athletes have unfair advantages.

Meanwhile, LGBTQ+ advocates and health experts warn that the slew of bans could worsen mental health crises among trans youth.

What they're saying: "Like every one of the sports bans we’ve seen passed across the country over the last three years, this is a solution in search of a problem, and it will only work to increase the isolation and stigmatization of an already-marginalized group of students," Sam Ames, director for advocacy and government affairs at the LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention organization The Trevor Project, said in a statement.

"Our 2022 national survey finds that nearly 1 in 5 trans and nonbinary youth attempted suicide in the past year — and this elevated risk is not due to their gender identity, but rather because of how they are mistreated."

"We implore lawmakers to stop these unfair and unnecessary policies targeting a small group of marginalized youth and focus their energy on the well-being of all youth," Ames added.

South Carolina governor signs transgender sports ban

The law requires students to participate in sports based on the "biological sex" listed on their birth certificates.

Photo of Henry McMaster speaking from a podium while waving his right hand in the air

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster. Photo: Sean Rayford via Getty Images

South Carolina

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) this week signed into law a bill that bans transgender athletes from playing on public school and college sports teams that align with their gender identity.Why it matters: South Carolina is the latest state to enact a law targeting transgender people, following similar legislation enacted in other GOP-led states, including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Georgia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2022/05/04/georgia-association-bans-trans-students-high-school-sports" data-vars-content-id="1205b61c-8f0a-4b98-9d92-0f76ca68d72b" data-vars-headline="South Carolina governor signs transgender sports ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2022/05/04/georgia-association-bans-trans-students-high-school-sports" target="_self">Georgia</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tennessee" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/04/27/tennessee-lawmakers-target-transgender-issues" data-vars-content-id="1205b61c-8f0a-4b98-9d92-0f76ca68d72b" data-vars-headline="South Carolina governor signs transgender sports ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/04/27/tennessee-lawmakers-target-transgender-issues" target="_self">Tennessee</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/03/04/texas-order-trans-kids-greg-abbott-mental-health" data-vars-content-id="1205b61c-8f0a-4b98-9d92-0f76ca68d72b" data-vars-headline="South Carolina governor signs transgender sports ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/03/04/texas-order-trans-kids-greg-abbott-mental-health" target="_self">Texas</a>.

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

Shifts in technology and media are changing the way we play, watch and understand sports. Business models are adapting and social change is forcing those in charge of teams and leagues to reconsider decades-old practices.

Sports

About two years after the U.S. confirmed its first COVID case, more than 1 million people in the nation have now died from the coronavirus, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University that posted on Tuesday.

The big picture: The gruesome milestone comes three months after the U.S. topped 900,000 COVID deaths. The coronavirus has killed people in the U.S. at higher rates than in other affluent countries, the New York Times reports.

What they're saying: "One million empty chairs around the dinner table. Each an irreplaceable loss. Each leaving behind a family, a community, and a Nation forever changed because of this pandemic," Biden said in a statement.

"We must remain vigilant against this pandemic and do everything we can to save as many lives as possible," Biden added, ordering flags to be lowered to half-staff until sunset on May 16 to honor the Americans who have died from the virus.

Worth noting: Experts remain concerned about the Omicron subvariant, as well as future COVID variants which they say are likely unavoidable.

Go deeper ... 1 million deaths: Remembering the lives lost to COVID-19 in America

U.S. COVID death toll officially surpasses 1 million

COVID has killed people in the U.S. at higher rates than in other affluent countries.

Coronavirus

Health

The Biden administration announced Monday that it will reinstate a program allowing U.S. citizens and permanent residents to apply for their family members in Cuba to enter the U.S. without waiting for immigrant visas.

Why it matters: The move is part of a series of actions the U.S. is taking intended to bolster support for the Cuban people, one year after the largest anti-government protests on the island in decades took place.

The protests, which focused on the nation's economic conditions and lack of resources, led to widespread crackdowns. Cuban activists said at the time that more than 100 people went missing or had been arrested within the first few days of demonstrations.

Details: In addition to reinstating the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program,  which former President Trump suspended, the Biden administration will also further increase capacity for consular services and visa processing in Havana.

It will remove the limit on the amount of money people in the U.S. are allowed to send to their family members in Cuba, which currently is capped at $1,000 per quarter per sender-receiver pair.

The U.S. is also expanding authorized travel to locations beyond Havana, reinstating group travel for things like professional meetings an research.

The administration said it will seek to boost support for independent Cuban entrepreneurs by authorizing access to expanded cloud technology and e-commerce platforms.

What they're saying: The measures are aimed at making it "easier for families to visit their relatives in Cuba and for authorized U.S. travelers to engage with the Cuban people, attend meetings, and conduct research," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

They will also allow "more Cubans to join their families in the United States via regular migration channels."

"We continue to call on the Cuban government to immediately release political prisoners, to respect the Cuban people’s fundamental freedoms and to allow the Cuban people to determine their own futures," Price added. 

Cuba recently instated a new criminal code that experts warn will further stifle dissent and independent media.

The laws, which target “acts against security of the state,” were approved unanimously on Sunday, almost a year after the protests that hundreds of Cubans were arrested and faced trial.

Groups with international financing face up to 10 years in prison if they’re considered propagandists or dangerous to the state (as the Cuban regime deems many independent media outlets and NGOs). People who insult public officials face up to three years in jail.

Some of Biden's Democratic allies were not happy with the decision. 

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he is "dismayed" that the Biden administration will begin authorizing "visits akin to tourism."

"For years, the United States foolishly eased travel restrictions arguing millions of American dollars would bring about freedom and nothing changed," Menendez said in the statement.

"[T]he regime ultimately laughed off any promises of loosening its iron grip on the Cuban people and we ended up helping fund the machinery behind their continued oppression."

When asked about Menendez's concerns, a senior administration official told reporters that "we will ensure that that travel is purposeful and in accordance with U.S. law."

Marina Franco contributed to this report. 

Biden to expand flights to Cuba, resume family reunification program

One year after mass anti-government protests, the U.S. is announcing new measures intended to bolster support for the Cuban people.

Photo of the Cuban capitol building with a large Cuban flag hanging in the foreground

A Cuban flag is seen near the nation's capital in Havana on Nov. 15, 2021. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images

Cuba

Latin America and Latinos

The Biden administration announced Monday that it will reinstate a program allowing U.S. citizens and permanent residents to apply for their family members in Cuba to enter the U.S. without waiting for immigrant visas.Why it matters: The move is part of a series of actions the U.S. is taking intended to bolster support for the Cuban people, one year after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="largest anti-government protests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/07/15/what-drove-cubans-protest" data-vars-content-id="8c88e2b6-a621-456a-88c2-b69d8123c923" data-vars-headline="Biden to expand flights to Cuba, resume family reunification program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/07/15/what-drove-cubans-protest" target="_self">largest anti-government protests</a> on the island in decades took place.

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

The Senate voted 86-11 to pass a nearly $40 billion military and humanitarian aid package for Ukraine on Thursday and the bill now goes to President Biden to be signed into law.

Why it matters: The package, which is billions more than the $33 billion initially requested by the White House, includes military aid, economic support and humanitarian assistance for food security stemming from Russia's unprovoked invasion. 

The 11 Republicans who voted "no" on the bill were Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.), John Boozman (Ark.), Mike Braun (Ind.), Mike Crapo (Idaho), Bill Hagerty (Tenn.),  Josh Hawley (Mo.), Mike Lee (Utah), Cynthia Lummis (Wyo.), Roger Marshall (Kan.), Rand Paul (Ky.) and Tommy Tuberville (Ala.).

The House had voted 368-57 to pass the package last week after congressional leaders struck a deal. All 57 of the votes opposing the aid were cast by Republicans.

Senate leaders wanted to pass the bill quickly last week through unanimous consent, but that was delayed by Sen. Rand Paul who wanted language added to the bill to include oversight of the spending. 

What they're saying: President Biden applauded the package's passage and thanked Congress for “sending a clear bipartisan message” that the U.S. supports Ukraine.

“The resources that I requested will allow us to send even more weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, replenish our own stockpile, and support U.S. troops stationed on NATO territory,” Biden said in a statement.

“Together with the contributions of our Allies and partners, we will keep security, economic, food, and humanitarian assistance flowing to Ukraine, across the region, and around the world, and further strengthen Ukraine — both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.”

Go deeper... On the front lines in Donbas: One Ukrainian soldier's story 

Congress approves $40 billion aid package for Ukraine

The bill, which includes military aid and humanitarian assistance, now goes to President Biden for his signature.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speak to reporters outside the Senate Chambers at the U.S. Capitol on May 11, 2022 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Russia

The Senate voted 86-11 to pass a nearly $40 billion <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="military and humanitarian aid package" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/11/house-passes-40-billion-ukraine-bill" data-vars-content-id="ef05774d-a8c7-4566-a8e7-3c367cae22a4" data-vars-headline="Congress approves $40 billion aid package for Ukraine" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/11/house-passes-40-billion-ukraine-bill" target="_self">military and humanitarian aid package</a> for Ukraine on Thursday and the bill now goes to President Biden to be signed into law.Why it matters: The package, which is billions more than the $33 billion initially requested by the White House, includes military aid, economic support and humanitarian assistance for food security stemming from Russia&#x27;s unprovoked invasion.

The Justice Department has asked the Jan. 6 House committee to turn over transcripts of its witness depositions, a committee spokesperson confirmed to Axios.

Why it matters:  The panel, which has interviewed over 1,000 people in connection to the insurrection, does not have the authority to pursue criminal charges. But the DOJ could use the transcripts to bring in witnesses, including Trump associates, pursue potential criminal cases and conduct new interviews led by federal law enforcement officials. 

Details: The spokesperson said the committee has not agreed to the request and that chair Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) told reporters the depositions are the panel's property, the New York Times first reported.

Thompson believes it is premature to hand over the transcripts, per the Times. It is unclear which ones are being requested.

The DOJ did not immediately return a request for comment.

Between the lines: The exchange is emblematic of larger tensions between the DOJ and the committee, CNN notes.

Committee members have publicly criticized the DOJ's delay in acting on cases, such as Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows' contempt referral.

The big picture: The DOJ has arrested over 700 people in connection to the Jan. 6 riots.

DOJ asks Jan. 6 committee for transcripts of witness depositions

The House committee has interviewed over 1,000 people in connection to the insurrection.

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) in the U.S. Capitols Rayburn Room during a group photo with the Congressional Black Caucus on April 6, 2022. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Capitol riot

The Justice Department has asked the Jan. 6 House committee to turn over transcripts of its witness depositions, a committee spokesperson confirmed to Axios.Why it matters: The panel, which has interviewed over 1,000 people in connection to the insurrection, does not have the authority to pursue criminal charges. But the DOJ could use the transcripts to bring in witnesses, including Trump associates, pursue potential criminal cases and conduct new interviews led by federal law enforcement officials.

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Stories

Congress approves $40 billion aid package for Ukraine

DOJ asks Jan. 6 committee for transcripts of witness depositions

South Carolina governor signs transgender sports ban

U.S. COVID death toll officially surpasses 1 million

Biden to expand flights to Cuba, resume family reunification program