The Supreme Court heard oral argument for more than two hours in a case concerning whether an Oregon city's enforcement of ordinances restricting the homeless from camping or sleeping in outdoor spaces, violates the Eight Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Like many cities, Grants Pass is dealing with an affordable housing shortage and an increase in homelessness. Additionally, the city does not have any shelters. At issue are three ordinances restricting people from camping and sleeping in public places. Penalty fees for violations begin at $295. In 2018, Gloria Johnson and homeless individuals filed suit. A district court ruled the ordinances constituted cruel and unusual punishment against the homeless because they have no access to shelter. They also found the penalties to be excessive. On appeal the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit also ruled in favor of the homeless people. The Supreme Court now has through June 2024 to issue a ruling.
"Last year, I made promises. This year, I'm reporting results," said Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) during the annual State of the State Address before a joint session of the state legislature in Little Rock. The governor highlighted her policy achievements and shared her plan for the state's future. Gov. Huckabee Sanders touched on several issues, including education funding, public safety investment, fentanyl, the economy, health care, and social media regulation.
Increasing housing supply and reducing costs for borrowers were among the topics discussed as Acting Housing and Urban Development Secretary Adrianne Todman and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Sandra Thompson testified on federal housing before the Senate Banking Committee. Additional topics included rental assistance, reducing mortgage closing costs, fair housing appraisals, and streamlining federal program requirements.
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona testifies on President Biden's 2025 budget request, protests on college campuses, and the rollout of the FAFSA application during a hearing before a Senate subcommittee.
United Nations Senior Humanitarian Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag discussed navigating humanitarian assistance to Gaza amidst the Israel-Hamas war. Topics included vulnerabilities women and children face in Gaza, the maritime route for aid, humanitarian worker security, and reconstruction. The U.S. Institute of Peace hosted this event.
Former Labor Secretary Marty Walsh discussed addiction in the U.S., his own journey through addiction and recovery, and policy approaches to address this public health issue.
Kathleen Sebelius, former Health and Human Services secretary in the Obama administration, and former senator and physician Bill Frist (R-TN) joined White House Gun Violence Prevention Office Deputy Director Gregory Jackson, and Yale School of Public Health Dean Megan Ranney for a discussion on gun violence prevention. They stressed the importance of recognizing gun violence as a public health crisis and advocated for solutions from the public health perspective. Topics included messaging by trusted sources, community violence intervention, the impact of gun violence on youth, and pros and cons of gun policies.
Former President Trump reiterated his earlier remarks on his Manhattan criminal trial, saying it shouldn't have been brought against him. He also talked about recent polling in the presidential race, the recent pro-Palestine protests on university campuses, and his willingness to debate President Biden.
The Atlantic Council held a series of discussions focusing on the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington, DC. In this session U.S., British and German diplomats spoke about each of their countries defense priorities, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, and other global security challenges on the horizon. The summit will occur July 9 to 11.
Former Labor Secretary Marty Walsh discussed addiction in the U.S., his own journey through addiction and recovery, and policy approaches to address this public health issue.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke about the ongoing protests on college campuses amid the Israel-Hamas War. During his remarks, Minority Leader McConnell condemned antisemitism and vandalism on campuses.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson testified before the House Science, Space and Technology Committee on President Biden's fiscal year 2025 budget request for the agency. He highlighted specific areas of focus for funding, including U.S.-Russia space relations and the deorbiting of the International Space Station, competition with China and foreign policy in space, cancer and stem cell research, and public-private partnerships.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson testified before the House Science, Space and Technology Committee on President Biden's fiscal year 2025 budget request for the agency. He highlighted specific areas of focus for funding, including U.S.-Russia space relations and the deorbiting of the International Space Station, competition with China and foreign policy in space, cancer and stem cell research, and public-private partnerships.
International scholars discussed global challenges and opportunities for diplomacy as a part of Georgetown University's Global Dialogues conference held in Washington, DC. Topics included Palestinian solidarity protests on college campuses, the rise in nationalism, and how the Global North and Global South can work to create a new understanding of world order.
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke about the ongoing campus protests amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas War during his opening remarks on the Senate floor.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke about the ongoing protests on college campuses amid the Israel-Hamas War. During his remarks, Minority Leader McConnell condemned antisemitism and vandalism on campuses.
"AI cannot replicate the depth of my life journey, yet those who control it hold the power to mimic the likeness of my art, replicate it, and falsely claim my identity and intellectual property," said musician and actor Tahliah "FKA twigs" Debrett Barnett during her opening testimony before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property. FKA twigs appeared along with music and movie industry leaders, including Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl, to testify on intellectual property concerns with digital replicas and generative artificial intelligence (AI). Several topics were addressed, including First Amendment protections, the use of deep fakes, copyright protections, and holding bad actors and those committing fraud with AI accountable.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson testified before the House Science, Space and Technology Committee on President Biden's fiscal year 2025 budget request for the agency. He highlighted specific areas of focus for funding, including U.S.-Russia space relations and the deorbiting of the International Space Station, competition with China and foreign policy in space, cancer and stem cell research, and public-private partnerships.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson testified before the House Science, Space and Technology Committee on President Biden's fiscal year 2025 budget request for the agency. He highlighted specific areas of focus for funding, including U.S.-Russia space relations and the deorbiting of the International Space Station, competition with China and foreign policy in space, cancer and stem cell research, and public-private partnerships.
Academics and policy advocates discussed the state of environmental policy with the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, DC. Several topics were discussed, including the history of environmental policy, how the environment has progressed over the last few decades, and how climate change impacts environmental science.
Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL) and Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA) discussed liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports at an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC. Topics included natural resources, supply-chain and reliable energy solutions, geopolitics, and energy technology exports. In addition, they discussed the impact changing policy has on energy markets and reflected on whether energy consumers or producers benefited most from those policies.