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U.S. Women's World Cup triumph wins bigger TV ratings than men's 2018 final

The U.S. team celebrates with the World Cup trophy in France. Photo: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images

More American TV viewers watched the women's U.S. soccer team win their 4th World Cup than tuned into the final of the men's tournament, Fox Sports first reported Monday, citing Nielsen figures.

Why it matters: Pressure is building on soccer's governing bodies to address gender pay disparities. The U.S. women's soccer team filed a lawsuit in March, accusing the United States Soccer Federation of "institutionalized gender discrimination." Democratic lawmakers, including 2020 candidates, have called for women players to be compensated fairly.

By the numbers: 14.27 million viewers tuned into Fox's TV and streaming services to watch Sunday's triumph over the Netherlands in France. In 2018, 12.5 million U.S. viewers watched the men's World Cup final.

The big picture: An equal pay petition for the U.S. women's soccer team had garnered more than 75,000 signatures by Tuesday morning.

A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted.

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Lachlan Markay
5 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Collins helps contractor before pro-Susan PAC gets donation

Sen. Susan Collins during her reelection campaign. Photo: Scott Eisen/Getty Images

A PAC backing Sen. Susan Collins in her high-stakes reelection campaign received $150,000 from an entity linked to the wife of a defense contractor whose firm Collins helped land a federal contract, new public records show.

Why it matters: The executive, Martin Kao of Honolulu, leaned heavily on his political connections to boost his business, federal prosecutors say in an ongoing criminal case against him. The donation linked to Kao was veiled until last week.

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Lachlan Markay
5 hours ago - Politics & Policy

How cutting GOP corporate cash could backfire

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Companies pulling back on political donations, particularly to members of Congress who voted against certifying President Biden's election win, could inadvertently push Republicans to embrace their party's rightward fringe.

Why it matters: Scores of corporate PACs have paused, scaled back or entirely abandoned their political giving programs. While designed to distance those companies from events that coincided with this month's deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol, research suggests the moves could actually empower the far-right.

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Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
8 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Scoop: Kaine, Collins pitch Senate colleagues on censuring Trump

Sen. Tim Kaine speaks with Sen. Susan Collins. Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP via Getty Images

Sens. Tim Kaine and Susan Collins are privately pitching their colleagues on a bipartisan resolution censuring former President Trump, three sources familiar with the discussions tell Axios.

Why it matters: Senators are looking for a way to condemn Trump on the record as it becomes increasingly unlikely Democrats will obtain the 17 Republican votes needed to gain a conviction in his second impeachment.

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