National Politics
-
Biden makes 4 million more workers eligible for overtime pay
The US Department of Labor says updated regulations will increase income thresholds to ensure lower-income salaried employees are fairly compensated when they work more than 40 hours per week.
-
Biden administration bans noncompete clauses for workers
The new rule bans new noncompete agreements for the vast majority of American workers and requires employers to let current and past employees know they won’t enforce them going forward. Companies will also be required to throw out existing noncompete agreements.
-
Biden marks Earth Day by announcing $7 billion in solar grants
Forty-nine of these grants are state-level awards, five are multi-state awards, and six are going to Native American tribes. The administration also announced its plans to expand its American Climate Corps green jobs training program on Monday.
-
6 terrifying things that could happen if the Comstock Act is used to target abortion
If interpreted literally, the Comstock Act could use antiquated legal code to effectively ban abortion by severely limiting the types of medical tools that can be sent via mail—even in states where abortion remains legal.
-
Here’s how to vote in Texas’ May 4 local elections
Texas’ May 4 elections are around the corner. Here’s everything you need to know about voting in the TX elections on May 4.
-
He said what? 10 things to know about RFK Jr.
Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a long and troubling history of espousing conspiracy theories and promoting lies about public health. Here are 10 of his most troubling and disprovable beliefs.
-
What to know about Trump’s legal issues
The former president’s Manhattan hush money trial began on Monday. All in all, the 2024 Republican presidential nominee faces 91 charges across the four cases he’s been indicted in. He has pleaded not guilty to all of them.
-
Trump says he’s pro-worker. His record says otherwise.
Trump’s policies made more than eight million workers ineligible for overtime pay, allowed for the outsourcing and offshoring of American jobs, made it harder for workers to join a union, and failed to protect American workers during the pandemic.
-
Biden announces new action to address gun sale loopholes
The announcement clarifies expanded legal requirements for gun sale licensing and cracks down on so-called “gun show” loopholes that allow buyers to evade background checks.
-
Biden cancels student loan debt for 25,800 more Texans
Friday’s announcement is just the latest round of student debt cancellation enacted by the Biden administration, which has approved relief for more than 4.3 million people so far, including 216,920 people in Texas.
-
The Republican war on Medicare raises the stakes in 2024
Republicans have been trying to cut and/or privatize Medicare for decades. Their latest plan could lead to thousands of dollars in additional out-of-pocket costs for Texas seniors.
-
New VA program to help more than 40,000 veterans stay in their homes
The program is an attempt to prevent foreclosure actions against former military members still experiencing financial hardship post-pandemic.
-
Biden unveils new plan for student debt relief
The president’s plan builds on existing debt cancellation efforts and would extend loan relief to more than 30 million borrowers.
-
Biden administration announces $20 billion in clean energy grants
The EPA says grant recipients, whose work promises to promote clean energy developments in underserved communities, could collectively reduce carbon emissions by 40 million metric tons over the next seven years.
-
Far-right groups push to limit IVF access
Groups like the Heritage Foundation are trying to take a “back-door” approach to restricting access to IVF by pushing for strict regulations that chip away at the ability of providers and patients to complete treatment.
-
A second Trump term could lead to abortion and IVF bans
The former president has suggested he might support a 15-week nationwide abortion ban, cozied up to members of the anti-IVF movement, and is aligned with groups who want to further restrict reproductive freedom.
-
Prescription drugs are getting cheaper for seniors thanks to Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act
When Biden signed the legislation in 2022, it did a number of things. Now, the legislation’s changes to the Medicare program will help beneficiaries save money.
-
Supreme Court hears oral arguments in major abortion access case
Tuesday’s hearing marks the first time the right-wing Court has listened to a case relating to abortion access since their decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022.
-
80% of House Republicans support plan to cut Social Security, ban abortion, and restrict IVF
The Republican Study Committee’s proposed budget calls for cutting Social Security and Medicare and banning abortion after 15 weeks nationwide. It would also pose a threat to IVF and slash funding for rental assistance and programs that help build housing, and more.
-
Biden issues executive order to improve women’s health research
The order directs federal agencies to ensure that they are using federal funds to research diseases and health conditions that disproportionately affect women, and requires them to report their investments in women’s health research annually.
-
Biden attacks GOP abortion bans, vows to restore Roe during State of the Union
“Many of you in this chamber and my predecessor are promising to pass a national ban on reproductive freedom,” Biden said to Republicans. “My God, what freedoms will you take away next?”
-
Biden proposes new actions to address housing shortages and high costs
The actions announced last week will promote fairer rental markets, boost the supply of affordable housing and manufactured homes, and help families who are struggling to make ends meet.
-
Far-right Republicans make major gains in Texas primaries
Far-right Republicans make major gains in Texas primaries. Here’s what you need to know about the Republican gains in the Texas primaries.
-
Biden caps credit card late fees at $8
More than 45 million Americans who are charged late fees on credit cards each year will save an average of $220 annually under the new rule.
-
First over-the-counter birth control pill will go on sale this month
Upon hitting store shelves, Opill will become the most effective birth control method available without a prescription.
-
100,000 families to see lower child care costs under new Biden policy
Under the new regulations, child care copayments will be capped at 7% of a family’s income for those participating in certain federal child care programs, applications for these programs will be made more accessible, and child care providers will receive some much needed support.
-
Not just abortion: IVF ruling next phase in the right’s war on reproductive freedom
The Alabama Supreme Court directly cited the Dobbs decision—in which the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade—in its ruling that effectively bans IVF in the state. But amid furious public backlash, Donald Trump and Republicans have raced to distance themselves from the ruling they made possible.
-
Biden blasts Trump’s support of a nationwide abortion ban
President Joe Biden took Trump to task for his support of a nationwide abortion ban and his role in repealing Roe v. Wade, criticizing him for “taking away women’s freedom,” putting women’s lives in danger, and unleashing “cruelty and chaos all across America.”
-
Biden proposes new student debt relief plan for Texas borrowers facing ‘hardship’
The new proposal will focus on providing debt relief to those with older loans or loans with large sums of interest; those with high-cost, unavoidable child care or health care expenses; borrowers who are highly likely to default; and others who face “financial hardship.”
-
Republicans want to use a 150-year-old law to ban abortion nationwide
Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for a second Trump administration, calls for the Justice Department to start enforcing the Comstock Act of 1873. The old law bans the mailing of “anything designed, adapted, or intended for producing abortion,” which could include medical instruments.
