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Only 4.4% of Georgia workers are union members, the eighth-lowest rate among states. The National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency overseeing union affairs, did not immediately respond Thursday to an email seeking comment. Democrats, though, say the bill is really about making it harder for unions to organize and for companies to accept them. Sen Mike Hodges, a Brunswick Republican who is sponsoring the bill, denied that it would violate federal law. But Democrats said they think the bill is an attempt to attack federal labor law.

Persons: Brian Kemp, Bill, ”, Hannah Perkins, Kay Ivey, ” Henry McMaster, ’, Joe Biden’s, “, Kemp, you’re, Sen, Bo Hatchett, Cornelia, Nikki Merritt, Merritt, Sen Mike Hodges, Hodges, Jason Esteves, they’re Organizations: ATLANTA, —, Gov, Union, National Labor Relations Act, “, Georgia AFL, National Labor Relations Board, American Legislative Exchange Council, Democratic, United Auto Workers, Alabama Republican Gov, South, Republican, Georgia Gov, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Republicans, Cornelia Republican, Senate, Lawrenceville Democrat, Democrats, State, Brunswick Republican, Atlanta Democrat Locations: Georgia, Tennessee, ” Alabama, South Carolina, Indiana, Arizona, Atlanta

(AP) — Missouri senators on Wednesday voted against amending the state's strict law against abortions to allow exceptions in cases of rape and incest. The state banned almost all abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 overturned Roe v. Wade. “What we’re saying is, ‘We don’t care,’” McCreery said of the state's current abortion ban. St. Louis resident Jamie Corley is leading a campaign to amend the state constitution to allow abortions for any reason up to 12 weeks into pregnancy. If Corley's amendment is enacted, abortions would also be allowed in cases of rape, incest and fatal fetal abnormalities until viability, which typically is around 24 weeks.

Persons: Roe, Wade, Sen, Tracy McCreery, ’ ” McCreery, “ We’re, ” McCreery, GOP Sen, Rick Brattin, let’s, ” Brattin, Republican Sen, Mike Moon, Louis, Jamie Corley Organizations: JEFFERSON CITY, —, U.S, Supreme, Democratic, Republican, GOP Locations: Mo, — Missouri, Missouri

The state Supreme Court's brief order Tuesday shutting down the suit said legislators have fulfilled promises of annual increases in aid to the state's 286 local school districts as outlined in a 2019 law. But closing the case gives the Legislature more leeway on school funding issues in the short term. Educators who feel legislators aren't providing enough money or distributing it fairly enough were able to take their complaints directly to the state Supreme Court while the case was open. Four school districts sued the state in 2010, and the Supreme Court issued seven rulings from 2010 to 2019. The first six told lawmakers that they needed to increase spending or distribute the money more fairly or both.

Persons: backtracked, Vic Miller, Eric Rosen, ” Leah Fliter, Laura Kelly, Kelly, “, Dan Hawkins, Sen, Molly Baumgardner, Kris Kobach, Kobach, ” Kobach, Alan Rupe, ” Organizations: Republican, GOP, Republicans, Kansas House, Kansas Association of School, Democratic Gov, Wichita Republican Locations: TOPEKA, Kan, Kansas, —, Wichita, Kansas City

The Senate voted 31-22 to pass Senate Bill 189, sending it on to the House for more debate. Also Tuesday, Burns' committee approved a state constitutional amendment that says only U.S. citizens can vote in Georgia elections. Supporters, including Raffensperger, claim the measure is needed to make sure no one ever changes the current Georgia law that bars noncitizens from voting. Some lawmakers hope new optical scanners can be purchased and used to count ballots without QR codes this year. All Democrats, even one who voted to ban QR codes in committee, voted against the Senate bill Tuesday.

Persons: Donald Trump's, Bill, Brad Raffensperger's, it's, Max Burns, ” Burns, Donald Trump, Alex Halderman, Raffensperger, Burns, noncitizens, Matt Hatchett, Sen, Sally Harrell, Harrell Organizations: ATLANTA, —, Republican, Sylvania Republican, Fox News, Dominion, Board, Georgia, Dublin Republican, Atlanta Democrat Locations: — Georgia, Georgia, Atlanta

Since most Americans last voted for Congress, thousands of people have been added to certain voting districts — and subtracted from others — under new political maps enacted following court rulings. Here's a look at how voting districts have changed — or could change — before the November elections and what affect that could have on the battle for control of Congress. Perhaps the most notable is Florida, where a trial judge in September ruled that U.S. House districts pushed by Republican Gov. Litigation over congressional districts also is lingering in Arkansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin. The reshaping of voting districts matters, but doesn't necessarily pre-determine the outcome of elections.

Persons: George Santos, Ron DeSantis, “, ”, Chris Warshaw, Warshaw, Jeffrey Wice Organizations: Republicans, GOP, George Santos of New, Supreme, Republican, Assembly, Democratic, New, New York Legislature, Republican Gov, Florida Supreme, George Washington University, Voters, New York Law, Redistricting Locations: November’s U.S, Alabama , Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina . New York, New, George Santos of, George Santos of New York, U.S, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, New York, Florida, Arkansas , South Carolina , Tennessee , Texas , Utah, Wisconsin

In a court filing, Yost said the July 3 cutoff for the “Ohio Voters Bill of Rights” to make the fall ballot is a false deadline. Ballot campaigns are often mounted in presidential election years in order to take advantage of high turnouts or to motivate certain voter groups. He issued the decision even while acknowledging that his office had previously certified identical language, including a Nursing Facility Patients’ Bill of Rights in 2021 and another Ohio Voters Bill of Rights in 2014. The Ohio Voters Bill of Rights would enshrine in the state constitution the right for all Ohioans to vote safely and securely and require automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration and expanded early voting options and locations. It also follows a fight last summer over the threshold for passing amendments to the Ohio Constitution.

Persons: Dave Yost, Yost, Relators, ”, . Philip Randolph, shouldn’t Organizations: — Republican, “ Ohio, . Philip Randolph Institute, NAACP, Ohio, The Ohio Locations: COLUMBUS , Ohio, Ohio

At issue is a Jan. 25 finding by Yost that the proposed constitutional amendment's title — “Ohio Voters Bill of Rights” — was “highly misleading and misrepresentative” of the measure’s contents. It certified a Nursing Facility Patients’ Bill of Rights in 2021 and another Ohio Voters Bill of Rights in 2014. The coalition behind the amendment — which includes the NAACP's Ohio chapter, A. Philip Randolph Institute and Ohio Organizing Collaborative — filed suit Thursday. In his rejection letter, Yost cited “recent authority from the Ohio Supreme Court” giving him the ability to review petition headings, as well as text summaries. The Ohio Voters Bill of Rights would enshrine in the state constitution the right for all Ohioans to vote safely and securely and require automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration and expanded early voting options and locations.

Persons: Dave Yost, Yost, ” —, Philip Randolph, — Organizations: Republican, Ohio Supreme, “ Ohio, Ohio, Philip Randolph Institute Locations: COLUMBUS , Ohio, Ohio

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The Republican-led but closely divided New Hampshire House rejected three abortion bills Thursday, refusing to either further restrict or protect reproductive rights. The House voted 193-184 Thursday in favor of asking voters to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution as well. The only one of three measures to be debated was the constitutional amendment to protect abortion up to 24 weeks and allow abortions beyond that when a physician believes they are necessary. “There simply is no threat to abortion rights in this state, despite the never-ending political rhetoric to the contrary," said Rep. Bob Lynn, a Republican from Windham. "And therefore, this proposed constitutional amendment is totally unnecessary.”

Persons: “, Amanda Toll, Daniella, ”, Bob Lynn Organizations: CONCORD, Republican, New Hampshire House, Rep, U.S, Supreme Locations: N.H, New, New Hampshire, Keene, Windham

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Supreme Court said Thursday that 10 Republican state senators who staged a record-long walkout last year to stall bills on abortion, transgender health care and gun rights cannot run for reelection. The decision upholds the secretary of state’s decision to disqualify the senators from the ballot under a voter-approved measure aimed at stopping such boycotts. Measure 113, passed by voters in 2022, amended the state constitution to bar lawmakers from reelection if they have more than 10 unexcused absences. The senators’ lawsuit was filed against Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade, who last August said the boycotting senators were disqualified from seeking reelection. Oregon voters approved Measure 113 by a wide margin following Republican walkouts in the Legislature in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Persons: — Sens, Tim Knopp, Daniel Bonham, Suzanne Weber, Dennis Linthicum, Lynn Findley, ”, Knopp, they’ve, LaVonne Griffin, Valade, walkouts Organizations: Oregon Supreme, Republican, — Locations: SALEM, Ore, Oregon

(AP) — Missouri's high court entertained arguments Thursday on whether to force changes to the state's Senate districts in a case that has divided majority-party Republicans over how to apply new voter-approved redistricting criteria. The lawsuit brought by voters contends that Senate districts in suburban St. Louis and western Missouri's Buchanan County violate the state constitution by needlessly splitting cities or counties into multiple districts. The outcome of the case won't affect immediate control of the Senate, where Republicans hold a 24-10 majority over Democrats. Deputy Solicitor General Maria Lanahan told judges that various other Senate districts — though not challenged by plaintiffs — also split counties while not following political subdivision lines. "Compact, contiguous territory is the first and most powerful line of defense against political and racial gerrymanders,” Senate Republicans wrote in a brief filed by attorney Eddie Greim.

Persons: Chuck Hatfield, Hatfield, Maria Lanahan, —, ”, Eddie Greim Organizations: JEFFERSON CITY, Republicans, Republican, GOP, Democratic, Senate, Democrats, Missouri House Republican, ” Locations: Mo, St, Louis, Missouri's Buchanan, Missouri, Buchanan, Hazelwood

And Rowden penalized prominent Freedom Caucus members by stripping them of their committee chairmanships and prime Capitol parking spots. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesAn outgrowth of the group, the State Freedom Caucus Network, launched in 2021 in Georgia. Like in Missouri, Idaho's top Republican senator removed certain Freedom Caucus members from committee leadership posts last November and denounced their disparaging rhetoric against other senators. For a year now in South Carolina, Freedom Caucus members have been excluded from the House Republican caucus — since they refused to go along with party rules that bar them from campaigning against other Republican members. Meanwhile in Georgia, the Senate Republican caucus booted an outspoken Freedom Caucus member who tried to pressure colleagues into impeaching a Democratic prosecutor for indicting Trump.

Persons: Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, —, Donald Trump, Kevin McCarthy —, it's, “ We’re, ”, Sen, Bill Eigel, Rowden, indicting Trump, Colton Moore, Moore, Fani Willis, Trump, Andrew Roth, they’re, Roth, Katie Hobbs, Adam Morgan, ” Morgan, Micah Caskey, Caskey, ” Caskey, James Pollard, Pollard Organizations: JEFFERSON CITY, Pro, Washington , D.C, Caucus, Republican, U.S, U.S . House, State Freedom Caucus Network, Freedom Caucus, National Guard, GOP, Democratic, The, State Freedom Caucus, Democratic Arizona Gov, Department of Health Services, Republicans, South Carolina Freedom Caucus, Republican governor’s, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Mo, Washington ,, U.S, Georgia, Missouri, Texas, Mexico, South Carolina, The Georgia, Fulton County, Wyoming, Montana, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Illinois, South Dakota, Republican governor’s State, Columbia , South Carolina

“Here in Florida, you’ve had a real dose of Trumpism,” Biden told donors in nearby Jupiter, Florida where Trump owns a golf course. “You’re the reason Donald Trump is a defeated president,” Biden said to the attendees. Along with North Carolina, Florida is a state Biden lost in 2020 but which his campaign sees as a pickup opportunity. It’s a very tall order for the Biden campaign. The president lost Florida voters 65 and older to Trump by 10 points in 2020, a wider gap than his 5-point deficit nationally.

Persons: Biden, Donald Trump, Joe Biden’s, you’ve, ” Biden, ”, “, hadn’t, Trump’s, Republican megadonors, Nikki Haley, Biden’s, he’ll, Trump, MAGA, GOP Sen, Rick Scott, Ron DeSantis ’, Joe Biden, Joe Raedle, DeSantis, Donna Deegan, Nikki Fried, Fried, Tom Brenner, Democratic handwringing, That’s, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton Organizations: Trump, ” Air Force, Palm Beach International, Republican, Palm Beach, South, GOP, Republicans, Democrats, ., Sunshine State, Florida voters, Social Security, Medicare, Gov, University of Tampa, Democrat, Jacksonville, Florida Supreme, Florida Democrats, CNN, Democratic, Democratic Party, South Carolina's, State Fairgrounds, Reuters, ”, NBC News Locations: Jupiter, Miami , Florida Florida, Florida, Jupiter , Florida, New York, Palm, Palm Beach, South Carolina, Miami, North Carolina , Florida, Lago, Los Angeles, Columbia , South Carolina, Iowa

Missouri Republicans have been trying for years to make it harder to amend the constitution. State Sen. Bill Eigel, a member of the Freedom Caucus, said the hope is for Republican Gov. The standoff ended Tuesday morning, with Freedom Caucus members allowing a confirmation vote on several gubernatorial appointees they had been blocking. Senate leaders said the disruptions by the Freedom Caucus only delayed action on the very policies those members support. Speaking to hundreds of allies who gathered in the Capitol halls to show their support, Freedom Caucus members lauded the end of the filibuster as a win.

Persons: State Sen, Bill Eigel, Mike Parson, ” Eigel, Eigel, Sen, Mary Elizabeth Coleman's, Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, ” Rowden, Denise Lieberman, ” Organizations: JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri Senate, Republicans, Caucus, Missouri Republicans, State, Freedom Caucus, Republican Gov, Republican, Ohio Republicans, Missouri, Legislature, Pro, ”, ” Missouri Voter Protection Locations: Mo, Missouri, Ohio, ” Missouri

☆ Opinion: Why Ron DeSantis turned out to be a loser
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Opinion Ilene Prusher | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Ron DeSantis was touted as a rising star with a clear path leading to the Republican nomination in 2024 and possibly into the White House itself. DeSantis also championed the policies that Trump voters claimed to want more of, like a hard line on abortion, expanded gun access and removing progressive prosecutors. The thing that DeSantis didn’t have over the billionaire reality TV star-turned-president – Trump’s personality – turned out to be a fatal flaw. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott – were unwilling to lend their support to DeSantis’ flailing campaign, endorsing Trump instead. Or one could look at DeSantis’ charmless offensive and conclude that his presidential ambitions will never be more than that – ambitions.

Persons: ”, “ Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Prusher Jordana Miller, DeSantis, –, Joe Biden, Scott Maxwell, “, “ Ron DeSantis ’, Mickey Mouse, ” Ana Navarro, Gary Fineout, Trump, Ron DeSanctimonious, doesn’t bode, Brandon Girod, Democrat Andrew Gillum, Joseph Ladapo, Marco Rubio, Rick Scott –, ’, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama –, Clinton Organizations: Florida Atlantic University, CNN, New, Florida Gov, Republican, Harvard Law School, Yale University, Trump, Orlando Sentinel, Disney, Business, POLITICO, Florida Republicans, DeSantis, White, Pensacola News, Democrat, Sens, Democratic, Twitter, Facebook Locations: Florida, Iowa, New Hampshire, Miami, POLITICO Florida, Tallahassee, Sunshine

For instance, the U.S. has blocked shipments of cotton coming from China, a top manufacturer of popular clothing brands, because it was produced by forced or prison labor. While prison labor seeps into the supply chains of some companies through third-party suppliers without them knowing, others buy direct. Cargill acknowledged buying goods from prison farms in Tennessee, Arkansas and Ohio, saying they constituted only a small fraction of the company’s overall volume. For instance, about a dozen state prison farms, including operations in Texas, Virginia, Kentucky and Montana, have sold more than $60 million worth of cattle since 2018. “What for?”FOLLOWING THE MONEYThe business of prison labor is so vast and convoluted that tracing the money can be challenging.

Persons: it’s, Willie Ingram, “ They’d, billy clubs, they’d, ”, Ingram, didn’t, they’re, don’t, Andrea Armstrong, Frank Dwayne Ellington, Ellington, Koch, “ It’s, it’s somebody’s, Alishia Powell, Clark, “, Bunge, Louis Dreyfus, Archer Daniels, Cargill, ” McDonald’s, Mills, ” Bunge, Burger, Jermaine Hudson, ” Hudson, Calvin Thomas, Thomas, Ken Pastorick, Pastorick, Jennifer Turner, Faye Jacobs, Jacobs, ’ ” David Farabough, they’ve, Joshua Sbicca, Cliff Johnson, Jimmy Dean, Sara Lee, Tyson, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, that’s, ” Ivey, “ They’re, ’ ”, William “ Buck ” Saunders, Hickman’s, Brooke Counts, Counts, John’s, Jack Strain, Tammany Parish, Russell Stover, Curtis Davis, Robert Bumsted, Cody Jackson, Columbia University’s Ira A, Lipman Organizations: Louisiana State Penitentiary, The Associated Press, Walmart, Cargill, U.S, Kroger, Target, Aldi, Corrections, Loyola University New Orleans, Koch Foods, Occupational Safety, Health Administration, Washington, Archer Daniels Midland, Consolidated, AP, Foods, Dairy Farmers of, Big, Sam’s, Tyson Foods, U.S ., Civilian, OSHA, Fair Labor, American Civil Liberties, Colorado State University, MacArthur Justice Center, University of Mississippi, PepsiCo, Brevard County Sheriff, Arizona . Companies, Costco, Correctional, Prisons, Nut, Maine Foods, Taylor Farms, Transitional, Associated Press, Public Welfare Foundation, Columbia, Lipman Center for Journalism, Arnold Ventures Locations: ANGOLA, La, Southern, Louisiana, Texas, In Louisiana, Angola, United States, “, Ashland, U.S, China, Tennessee , Arkansas, Ohio, Dairy Farmers of America, Texas , Virginia, Kentucky, Montana, Baton Rouge, Mississippi, Manhattan, America, Alabama, American, Arkansas , Texas, Florida , Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, In Alabama, Florida, Brevard County, Arizona, Wisconsin, California, Colorado, state’s St, Tammany, Idaho, In Kansas, Cal, St, Francisville , Louisiana, Feliciana, Investigative@ap.org

Some are sentenced to hard labor and forced to work – or face punishment – and are sometimes paid pennies an hour or nothing at all. While prison labor seeps into the supply chains of some companies through third-party suppliers without them knowing, others buy direct. The AP reached out for comment to the companies it identified as having connections to prison labor, but most did not respond. Corrections officials and other proponents note that not all work is forced and that prison jobs save taxpayers money. They also aren’t learning skills that will help them when they are released,” said law professor Andrea Armstrong, an expert on prison labor at Loyola University New Orleans.

Persons: They’re, they’ve, Russell Stover, Bunge, Louis Dreyfus, Archer Daniels, Cargill, ” McDonald’s, Mills, ” Bunge, they’re, ”, David Farabough, don’t, Andrea Armstrong, Columbia University’s Ira A, Lipman Organizations: Associated Press, Kroger, Target, Aldi, U.S, Walmart, Costco –, Washington, American Civil Liberties Union, AP, Maine Foods, Taylor Farms, Archer Daniels Midland, Consolidated, Foods, Corrections, Loyola University New Orleans, Public Welfare Foundation, Columbia, Lipman Center for Journalism, Arnold Ventures Locations: U.S, Idaho, In Kansas, Cal, Arizona, Tennessee , Arkansas, Ohio, Arkansas, Investigative@ap.org

“This is an extremely undemocratic way to harm access to reproductive health care," said Sofia Tomov, operations coordinator with Access Reproductive Care Southeast, a member of the Mississippi Abortion Access Coalition. The proposal comes days after a Missouri abortion-rights campaign launched its ballot measure effort aiming to enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution. Missouri abortion rights groups also have criticized Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, saying he is attempting to impede the initiative by manipulating the measure's ballot summary. Ohio abortion rights advocates have said last year’s statewide vote to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution was as much about abortion as it was a referendum on democracy itself. After Ohio voters approved the abortion protections last year, Republican lawmakers pledged to block the amendment from reversing the state's restrictions.

Persons: “ They’re, Laurie Bertram Roberts, we’ve, Mississippi, Cheikh Taylor, “, ” Taylor, Fred Shanks, Roe, Wade, ”, Jason White, Sofia Tomov, State Jay Ashcroft, Ed Lewis, Sam Lee, John Rizzo, Joe Adams, Deirdre Schifeling, ‘ Will, Summer Ballentine, Emily Wagster Pettus Organizations: CHICAGO, —, U.S, Supreme, Mississippi House, Democratic Rep, Republican Party, Republican, Republicans, Mississippi, Reproductive, Coalition, State, GOP, Democratic, Ohio Republicans, Ohio, ACLU, Press, Associated Press, AP Locations: Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, . Mississippi, ”, ” In Missouri, Nevada, Jefferson City , Missouri, Jackson , Mississippi

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A coalition of voting-rights groups is vowing to fight on after Ohio Republican Attorney General Dave Yost issued his second rejection Thursday of petition language it has submitted for a proposed constitutional amendment. It certified a Nursing Facility Patients’ Bill of Rights in 2021 and another Ohio Voters Bill of Rights in 2014. The Ohio Voters Bill of Rights calls for enshrining the right for all Ohioans to vote safely and securely in the state constitution. The proposed amendment includes automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration and expanded early voting options and locations. “In the past, this Office has not always rigorously evaluated whether the title fairly or truthfully summarized a given proposed amendment,” Yost wrote the coalition's attorney.

Persons: Dave Yost, Yost, ” —, “, ” Yost, . Philip Randolph, —, ”, ’ Organizations: Ohio Republican, “ Ohio, Ohio, The Ohio, Ohio Unity Coalition, . Philip Randolph Institute Locations: COLUMBUS , Ohio, Ohio

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A Nevada judge has approved a petition by abortion access advocates as eligible for signature gathering in their long-standing attempt to get abortion rights on the 2024 ballot. Abortion rights up to 24 weeks are already codified into Nevada law through a 1990 referendum vote, where two-thirds of voters were in favor. The petition would have included protections for “matters relating to their pregnancies” including prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, vasectomies, tubal ligations, abortion and abortion care as well as care for miscarriages and infertility. “Abortion rights are not the only form of reproductive freedom under attack across the country,” Hamon said. Lawmakers in Nevada’s Democratic-controlled Legislature are also attempting to get reproductive rights including abortion access in front of voters on the 2026 ballot.

Persons: James T, Russell, Lindsey Hamon, ” Hamon, Roe, Wade, ___ Stern, Stern Organizations: Carson, Reproductive Freedoms, Nevada Supreme, Supreme, Lawmakers, Nevada’s Democratic, Assembly, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: RENO, Nev, Nevada, U.S, New York, Maryland, Missouri, Arizona

There's no longer a nationwide right to abortion and 14 states have bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy. Colorado has become an island of abortion protections as surrounding states installed restrictions after Roe was overturned. Since 2022, abortion rights supporters have prevailed on all seven statewide ballot measures. Democrats control both chambers of the Legislature and the governor's office and, under state law, abortion is allowed at any point throughout pregnancy, if it's deemed necessary by a doctor. MISSOURI ACTIVISTS CHOOSE AN AMENDMENT TO SUPPORTA coalition of abortion rights supporters in Missouri decided last week which of 11 amendment proposals to support.

Persons: Court's Roe, Wade, Roe, It's, Joe Biden's, ”, Nicole Hensel, Monday's Roe, it's, Tony Evers, BIDEN, what's, Biden, that’s, Trisha Ahmed, Jesse Bedayn Organizations: U.S, Life, MARYLAND, Colorado Capitol, New, Abortion, GOP, Democrat, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Republican, Associated Press Locations: U.S ., Washington, St, Paul , Minnesota, Colorado, Maryland, New York, WISCONSIN, MAINE, Maine, Wisconsin, MISSOURI, Missouri, Oklahoma, Minneapolis, Denver

☆ Biden Campaign Sharpens Its Post-Roe Message: Abortion Is About Freedom
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Katie Rogers | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will headline events next week centered around protecting abortion rights, throwing more heft behind an issue that has galvanized voters in the 18 months since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. On Monday, Ms. Harris will visit Wisconsin to begin a national tour focused on preserving access to reproductive health care as Republicans call for more restrictions. Then on Tuesday, she will join Mr. Biden at a rally for abortion rights in Virginia, where Democrats recently took control of the state legislature and have proposed to enshrine abortion protections in the state constitution. Ms. Harris offered a preview of the administration’s election-year messaging to Americans when she visited “The View,” the most popular daytime talk show in the country. “We are not asking anyone to abandon their personal beliefs,” she said during an appearance on Wednesday, adding that “the government should not be telling women what to do with their bodies.”

Persons: Biden, Kamala Harris, Roe, Wade, Harris, ” Organizations: Mr Locations: Wisconsin, Virginia

The complaint came a little more than a year after Biden's administration informed hospitals that they must provide abortion services if the mother’s life is at risk. At the time, President Joe Biden's administration said EMTALA supersedes state abortion bans that don’t have adequate exceptions for medical emergencies. It also underscores the uphill legal battle reproductive rights advocates when pushing back against state abortion bans. According to the complaint, Statton learned she was pregnant in early 2023 and soon began experiencing severe pain and nausea. The Supreme Court earlier this month allowed Idaho to enforce its strict abortion ban, even in medical emergencies, while a separate legal fight continues.

Persons: Jaci Statton, Statton, Joe Biden's, Biden, Roe, Wade, Jaci, “, “ EMTALA, ”, Rabia Muqaddam Organizations: U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Republican, Department of Health, Labor, Centers, Medicare, Services, Health, Reproductive Rights, Associated Press Locations: Oklahoma, Idaho , Tennessee, Texas, Idaho, New Orleans

☆ Abortion-Rights Backers in Missouri Start Ballot Initiative to Undo Ban
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Kate Zernike | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A coalition of reproductive-rights groups in Missouri kicked off a campaign on Thursday to establish a right to abortion in the state constitution, setting up the nation’s next big test of public support for legalized abortion. Missouri was the first state to officially outlaw abortion after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade 18 months ago. A successful ballot measure there could make it the first state where a citizen-led initiative reverses a near-total ban. Abortion-rights supporters have prevailed on all seven ballot measures put before voters since Roe was overturned, and groups in roughly 10 other states are attempting to pass similar abortion-rights measures this year. In Missouri, though, they face a tight timeline, fierce opposition from the Republicans who control state government, and a long tradition of anti-abortion politics.

Persons: Roe, Wade Locations: Missouri

(AP) — A Missouri abortion-rights campaign announced Thursday that it's throwing support behind an amendment that would enshrine access to the procedure in the state constitution while allowing restrictions in later stages of pregnancy. Supporters include the ACLU of Missouri, local Planned Parenthood affiliates and Abortion Action Missouri. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesAnd Missourians for Constitutional Freedom has funding difficulties, ending 2023 with no money in the bank. Missourians for Constitutional Freedom's announcement comes as abortion activists nationwide are divided over whether to support constitutional amendments that allow any regulation of abortion after viability. Current Missouri law includes an exception for medical emergencies, but not in cases of rape and incest.

Persons: Freedom, “, ”, Iman Alsaden, State Jay Ashcroft, Roe, Wade Organizations: JEFFERSON CITY, —, Missouri, Constitutional, Republican, State, Freedom, American College of Obstetricians Locations: Mo, Missouri

(AP) — Montana's Supreme Court has rejected an attempt by the state's Republican governor to block a landmark climate ruling that said regulators must consider the effects of greenhouse gas emissions when issuing permits for fossil fuel development. Greg Gianforte and three state agencies to block the August ruling from District Court Judge Kathy Seeley while an appeal by the state is pending before the high court. The state high court ruling means Montana officials must “immediately comply” with Seeley's order pending the appeal, said Mark Bellinger, an attorney for Our Children's Trust, which represented the 16 young plaintiffs who brought the case. The Department of Environmental Quality has created a work group to discuss potential changes to how it uses the Montana Environmental Policy Act, which requires public input in fossil fuel and mining development. Last year's amendment by lawmakers forbid greenhouse gas emission analyses unless the federal government decided to regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant.

Persons: HELENA, —, Greg Gianforte, Kathy Seeley, Seeley, Seeley “, “, Mark Bellinger, Chris Dorrington, “ We’re, ” Dorrington Organizations: Republican, Gov, Montana Department of Environmental, Energy, Montana Legislature, Republicans, Environmental Locations: Mont, Montana, Yellowstone, Laurel

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