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Week in Politics: Supreme Court Ruling on Abortion Restrictions
The Supreme Court’s recent decision to strike down Louisiana’s abortion law has been hailed as a win for reproductive rights advocates. The law required doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital, a regulation that many saw as a thinly veiled attempt to restrict access to abortion.
The court’s ruling, which was handed down on Monday, represents a significant victory for advocates who have fought against a wave of state-level restrictions on abortion in recent years. The decision also marks a rare moment of unity on the court, with conservative Chief Justice John Roberts joining the court’s four liberal justices in the 5-4 ruling.
Controversy Over Census Citizenship Question
The controversy over the Trump administration’s attempt to add a citizenship question to the 2023 Census is heating up once again. Last week, President Trump announced that he would issue an executive order requiring all government agencies to gather information about citizenship and immigration status, a move that many see as an attempt to circumvent the Supreme Court’s ruling on the census question.
The administration had argued that the citizenship question was necessary to enforce the Voting Rights Act, but critics contended that it would discourage undocumented immigrants and other marginalized groups from participating in the census, thereby skewing the results. The Supreme Court ultimately blocked the administration from including the question but left open the possibility of a revised proposal.
Hectic Week Ahead for Congress
Congress is gearing up for a busy week ahead as lawmakers continue to grapple with a range of pressing issues. Much of the focus will be on police reform, with the House expected to vote on a sweeping package of measures aimed at addressing systemic racism and police brutality.
The package, which is called the Justice in Policing Act, includes a ban on chokeholds and no-knock warrants, measures to increase transparency and accountability, and additional training for law enforcement. The bill is expected to pass the Democratic-controlled House but faces an uncertain fate in the Senate, where Republicans have proposed a competing measure.
Lawmakers are also expected to hold hearings on the Trump administration’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as on recent reports alleging that Russia offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
