Jul 9, 2019 - Politics & Policy

Sarah McBride launches campaign to be first openly transgender state senator in U.S.

Sarah McBride attends "Out in Office" panel at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival on May 4. Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival

Sarah McBride, national press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, announced her bid on Tuesday for Delaware's 2020 state Senate race.

Why it matters: McBride made history in 2016 as the first transgender person to speak at the Democratic National Convention, and she was the first openly transgender intern at the White House. If elected, she would be the first openly transgender state senator in U.S. history.

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Fadel Allassan
10 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Pelosi: "States don't have the money" for Trump's unemployment order

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told "Fox News Sunday" that states don't have the funds to comply with the executive order President Trump signed on Friday, which requires them to cover 25% of an additional $400 in weekly unemployment benefits.

Why it matters: Many state and local governments have had their budgets devastated by the economic impacts of the coronavirus, which have caused expenses to soar and revenues to plunge.

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Fadel Allassan
1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Kudlow says he regrets claiming Trump couldn't use executive order for unemployment

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday that he regrets suggesting this week that unemployment benefits can only be extended by Congress.

Why it matters: President Trump's decision to bypass Congress to sign four executive actions, including one that provides $400 per week in extra unemployment benefits, has prompted outcry from Democrats and even some Republicans who believe he is overstepping his constitutional authority.

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Fadel Allassan
2 hours ago - World

Lebanon information minister resigns days after deadly explosion

Anti-government protesters in Beirut. Photo: STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Lebanon’s information minister resigned on Sunday in the wake of mass protests over the deadly blast in Beirut's port last week, which has killed at least 160 people and injured nearly 6,000, AP reports.

Why it matters: In her resignation letter, Manal Abdel-Samad called change "elusive" and apologized for not delivering more to the country, which had been devastated by a financial crisis and the coronavirus pandemic even before the blast destroyed much of the capital city.

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