Anti-abortion measures are complicating House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's (R-Calif.) efforts to pass spending bills before a government shutdown, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: McCarthy's struggles to unify his fractious conference in spending fights, even before tough negotiations with the Senate, means funding the government by the Sept. 30 deadline will be a tall order.
House conservatives who have mostly backed Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) are privately warning that they're paranoid of budgetary gimmicks instead of significant cuts in the coming appropriations bills.
Why it matters: One GOP lawmaker told Axios they expect the spending fight to be "World War III," with multiple GOP sources doubtful that Congress will pass all 12 appropriations bills by Sept. 30 to avoid a government shutdown.
A Nebraska judge sentenced a 19-year-old woman to 90 days in jail and two years of probation Thursday for burning and burying a fetus she allegedly aborted with the help of her mother, per multiple reports.
Why it matters: In the aftermath of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, the case has been closely watched by abortion advocates, who have said it could be an indicator of what's to come as states increase restrictions on abortion access.
A voting rights group is suing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, arguing that the GOP presidential candidate violated the Voting Rights Act by intimidating former felons who attempted to participate in the 2020 election.
Why it matters: Advocates across the country are working to restore voting rights to former felons by challenging state governments that they say are violating the Constitution.
Outgoing Washington Commanders' owner Dan Snyder was fined $60 million after the NFL found he sexually harassed employees and deliberately hid millions of dollars in revenue from other teams, the league said Thursday.
The big picture: The NFL released the findings of an independent investigation into Snyder's conduct minutes after NFL owners voted to approve the sale of the Commanders.
Car thefts in dozens of cities across the U.S. have skyrocketed so far this year, according to a new report on crime.
Why it matters: Motor vehicle thefts are up by roughly 34% from the same period last year, underscoring how crime patterns have evolved as the country has emerged from the pandemic.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has mounted a long-shot presidential campaign against President Biden, defended himself Thursday against accusations of antisemitism and racism during a House subcommittee hearing on censorship.
The big picture: Kennedy's defense comes after remarks surfaced over the weekend where he said that "there is an argument that [COVID-19] is ethnically targeted" and it "attacks certain races disproportionately."
Nearly two years after Texas' six-week abortion ban went into effect, the state's infant mortalities spiked by over 10% in 2022, according to preliminary data obtained by CNN.
Why it matters: Texas' ban, which was the strictest in the U.S. at the time of its enactment, may be driving the increase in infant deaths by forcing people to carry nonviable pregnancies to term.
The Democrat-led Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday voted along party lines to approve legislation instituting a code of conduct for Supreme Court justices.
Why it matters: The measure serves as Democrats' response to recent reporting about Supreme Court justices, most notably Clarence Thomas, accepting lavish gifts.
As cinephiles gear up for Friday's release of "Oppenheimer," the blockbuster biopic about the "father of the atomic bomb," some residents in southern New Mexico where the bomb was first tested say they've been largely erased from the narrative.
The big picture: Those residents say their families have battled rare cancers for generations and have been ignored while Manhattan Project scientists like J. Robert Oppenheimer are celebrated.
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has invited the popular Ruthless Podcast to host a "College GameDay"-style show ahead of the first GOP presidential debate in August.
Why it matters: The plan shows the new media landscape. The RNC will surround-sound its Fox News debate in Wisconsin with other content.
President Biden's pick for Labor secretary, Julie Su, will set a record on Thursday: 127 days in Senate purgatory.
Why it matters: No nominee has lingered longer without a confirmation vote when his or her party controlled the Senate and the White House, according to a historical analysis by the Congressional Research Service prepared for Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.).
As key House races begin to take shape, Republicans in competitive districts continue to raise more in individual contributions than their Democratic counterparts.
Why it matters: Some of the top GOP fundraisers are in districts President Biden carried in 2020 — which Democrats see as key to winning back the majority.
