In the 11 months since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Republicans have underperformed in federal, judicial, statewide and local elections across the country.
Why it matters: Abortion isn't the only factor driving their election woes, especially in local races. But a toxic party brand can easily trickle down-ballot, and the GOP so far hasn't been able to navigate the voter backlash that began with a New York special election last August.
The House on Wednesday voted to refer a resolution to expel Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) from Congress to the Ethics Committee, effectively killing the measure.
Why it matters: It was a tough vote for vulnerable Republicans, many of whom have called for the politically toxic Long Islander to step down.
Florida's LGBTQ+ community has been bracing for legislative blows all year, and their fears were confirmed Wednesday when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed several controversial bills dubbed a "slate of hate" by activists.
Driving the news: DeSantis signed four bills into law that touch several aspects of daily life for some LGBTQ+ community members, from limiting the use of preferred pronouns in public schools to criminalizing the use of bathrooms that don't align with a person's sex at birth.
Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday called for an investigation into Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's (R) handling of the state's law enforcement agency.
Why it matters: A trio of Judiciary Democrats alleged that DeSantis, who is expected to launch a presidential campaign in coming weeks, directed the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) "to act in furtherance of his political agenda" and to intimidate voters.
After months of building pressure from Congress, the State Department will provide House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) access to an internal cable about the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
A federal appellate court on Wednesday seemed skeptical of nearly every argument from the Biden administration as it defended the Food and Drug Administration's power to approve a widely used abortion pill.
Why it matters: The New Orleans-based U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals could decide in the coming weeks to uphold a Texas federal court ruling that ordered the FDA to withdraw its authorization of mifepristone, used in medication abortion, and set a precedent that could diminish the agency's authority in regulating medical treatments.
Olympic figure skater Sarah Hughes has filed to run for Congress in New York's 4th District, her spokesperson confirmed to Axios on Wednesday.
Why it matters: The gold medalist's name recognition could make her a major contender for the Long Island-based seat, which is one of the most Democratic-leaning districts held by a Republican.
Penguin Random House, PEN America and several authors filed a federal lawsuit against Escambia County School District in northern Florida on Wednesday over its removal from school libraries and restrictions on 10 books related to race or LGBTQ identity.
Why it matters: The school district restricted the books on the grounds that they violated Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act — dubbed by critics the "Don't Say Gay" Act, which has been championed and expanded by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in preparation for a potential 2024 presidential run.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday his caucus will still try to give themselves the option to force a vote on a clean debt ceiling increase despite ongoing negotiations.
Why it matters: With as few as two weeks until the U.S. reaches the fiscal cliff,Democrats are preparing a backup option to try to bypass House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) if talks with the White House go south.
Six in 10 employees say they won't work for organizations that fail to speak out against racial injustice, the Edelman Trust Barometer finds in a new special report shared first with Axios.
About the same number — 62% — say companies are "doing mediocre or worse" in living up to their promises to address racism at work and in their communities, the survey says.
Why it matters: The findings suggest that most employees favor diversity and equity initiatives even as Republicans in Congress and officials such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) want to punish companies and agencies over what they dismissively call "woke" policies.
Republicans are taking an early victory lap after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy got the White House to the table on the debt ceiling.
Why it matters: President Biden spent months refusing any negotiations, citing a bipartisan tradition of raising the debt ceiling without preconditions.
Typically ultra-local and mundane discussions around housing policy are spilling into the national conversation, fraying traditional political alliances and creating odd bedfellows across the country.
Why it matters: Lawmakers — particularly Democrats — are struggling to find solutions that would both pass and help ease a housing shortage marked by rising rents and increasingly unaffordable mortgages.
Across the country, Democratic lawmakers in GOP states have struggled to stop an onslaught of bills restricting gender-affirming health care for transgender minors.
Driving the news: A Texas bill to ban hormone therapy, puberty blockers and surgeries for minors could reach the governor's desk this week.
Why it matters: By coming home from Japan on Sunday immediately after the G7 meetings end, Biden will miss the first-ever visit to Papua New Guinea by a U.S. president.
Four House Republicans are the targets of a growing pressure campaign using the GOP debt ceiling bill to try to tank vulnerable moderates.
Why it matters: House Speaker KevinMcCarthy's fight extends far beyond Washington, with a coalition of outside groups ratcheting up the heat by highlighting the bill's potential cuts to veterans benefits.
Why it matters: Parker’s victory over other well-funded and viable candidates reflects the power of Philly’s Democratic establishment and positions her to become the city’s first female mayor.
The Republican governors of Florida and Idaho are sending law enforcement officers and other assistance to the U.S.-Mexico border, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced Tuesday.
Driving the news: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he'll send resources and over 1,100 to Texas — including 800 state National Guard members, 200 law enforcement officers in teams of 40 and five aircrafts.
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