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U.S. Supreme Court hands victories to religious employers in health care decision
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a Trump administration effort to exempt employers with religious or moral concerns from complying with a “birth control mandate” in the Affordable Care Act, the Obama-era law that requires employer-provided insurance plans to cover contraceptives. Reproductive rights advocates say the ruling potentially affects hundreds of thousands of […]
U.S. House passes massive infrastructure bill over GOP opposition, but unlikely to become law
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House cleared a massive $1.5 trillion package Wednesday that backers said would not only shore up the nation’s crumbling infrastructure but also create jobs at a time of widespread unemployment, protect the planet from a warming climate and narrow long-standing racial disparities. The bill takes “bold, broad and transformational action to rebuild […]
Roberts sided with liberal justices, overturning Louisiana abortion law
WASHINGTON — In a major victory for reproductive rights, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a controversial Louisiana law that critics said would have severely limited access to abortion in Louisiana and opened the door to further abortion limitations around the country. Enacted in 2014 by the Louisiana state Legislature, the law would have required physicians […]
Supreme Court rejects Trump administration challenge to DACA
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday salvaged an Obama-era program that has allowed hundreds of thousands of young, unauthorized immigrants known as “Dreamers” to remain in the country without immediate fear of deportation. In a 5-4 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the court’s liberal wing in finding that the Trump administration […]
Minnesota’s Democratic lawmakers in Washington mostly steer clear of ‘defund the police’ rhetoric
WASHINGTON — Minnesota Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar wants to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department, but her colleagues in the state’s congressional delegation aren’t on board. “I’m not in favor of abolishing public safety departments and police departments,” U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said Wednesday at a Georgetown University forum on racial justice. Democratic Sen. Tina Smith […]
Will the federal government help Minnesotans get better broadband?
WASHINGTON — In one Minnesota tribal community, children recently had to gather in the front yard of a nearby house so they could access the internet and do their homework. That’s according to Sen. Amy Klobuchar. The Democrat recounted the story Wednesday during a U.S. Senate hearing on internet access during the coronavirus pandemic. “We […]
DeVos finalizes sexual assault rules that critics say ‘roll back the clock’
WASHINGTON — U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos finalized rules Wednesday that the administration says will improve due process in campus sexual assault cases, but that critics warn could discourage victims from coming forward. The new regulations expand rights for people accused of sexual misconduct on college campuses and make other changes to federal regulations governing schools’ obligations to […]
Lawmakers advance small business relief bill without extra cash for states
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Tuesday cleared an “interim” COVID-19 relief package that includes billions of dollars for small businesses, hospitals and testing, but no additional funds for state and local governments. The nearly $500 billion package passed by unanimous consent Tuesday afternoon. The U.S. House is expected to reconvene on Thursday to vote […]
Pandemic puts domestic violence victims, survivors ‘in dire straits’
WASHINGTON — For victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, staying at home may be more dangerous than leaving it — even during a pandemic. Indeed, reports of abuse are on the rise in many cities as COVID-19 continues to spread and people are confined to their homes, according to an NBC News investigation. And […]
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, bipartisan group of lawmakers want broadband aid in next COVID-19 legislation
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers are urging congressional leaders to prioritize emergency funding for high-speed internet access in upcoming coronavirus relief legislation. More than two dozen lawmakers, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar, sent a bipartisan letter asking Democratic and Republican leaders of the U.S. House and Senate to set aside funding for a temporary emergency relief fund at […]
Congress preps for another round of coronavirus relief; infrastructure may be next
WASHINGTON — Congress is gearing up for additional COVID-19 response legislation that aims to build on the first three relief packages. The next bill could include huge infrastructure projects, and U.S. House Democrats are pushing to include some of their top priorities that were sliced off the sweeping $2 trillion bill during negotiations with Senate […]
U.S. House passes coronavirus response bill; 40 Republicans dissent, including Emmer
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House early Saturday morning approved an emergency stimulus package to combat the coronavirus pandemic after President Donald Trump signaled his support for the bill. The multi-billion dollar package aims to slow the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by a new coronavirus, and mitigate its economic effects as fears of recession […]