May 19, 2019 - Politics & Policy

Trump's GOP challenger Weld: I'm the most pro-choice 2020 candidate

Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld. Photo: Paul Marotta/Getty Images

Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld (R) told a crowd in Exeter, New Hampshire, he’s "the most pro-choice person you’re ever going to meet," AP reports.

Driving the news: Many 2020 hopefuls have come out swinging in opposition of Missouri's and Alabama's strict new abortion laws, describing the bills as "dangerous and exceptionally cruel," per Axios' Rashaan Ayesh.

What he's saying President Trump’s only major GOP primary challenger said he was unsure whether he'd have a litmus test that a possible Supreme Court justice would have to vote to keep Roe v. Wade, but his standard would be "pretty close," according to AP.

"The way I look at it, it’s kind of a power issue. ... who wants a lot of big, fat, white guys who live in Washington 700 miles away making the decision about what’s going to happen about a family pregnancy where the family has basis for some views and maybe wants to terminate the pregnancy?"

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Axios

Updated 53 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 3:30 p.m. ET: 20,428,562 — Total deaths: 744,733— Total recoveries: 12,631,548 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 3:30 p.m. ET: 5,171,343 — Total deaths: 165,328 — Total recoveries: 1,714,960 — Total tests: 63,252,257 — Map.
Politics: Pelosi says Mnuchin called her, White House is "not budging" on stimulus position.
Business: U.S. already feeling effects of ending unemployment benefits.
Public health: America is flying blind on its coronavirus response.
Education: New Jersey governor allows schools to reopen — Gallup: America's confidence in public school system jumps to highest level since 2004.

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Orion Rummler

Updated 1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Pelosi says Mnuchin told her White House is "not budging" on stimulus position

Democrats and the Trump administration remain "miles apart" on negotiations over a coronavirus stimulus deal, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said on Wednesday.

The latest: Around 3 p.m., Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) issued a statement saying that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had initiated a phone call and made clear that the White House is "not budging from their position concerning the size and scope of a legislative package."

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Orion Rummler

1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

New Jersey governor allows schools to reopen for in-person learning

Gov. Phil Murphy in December 2019. Phoot: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) announced Wednesday he will sign an executive order allowing private and public K-12 schools and universities to reopen for in-person learning in September.

The big picture: New York and New Jersey have now authorized school districts to begin reopening. Both states and Connecticut ordered travelers from 31 states to quarantine before crossing their state borders after they were able to manage the pandemic.