Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg issued a blistering dissent after a ruling by the US Supreme Court this weekend threatened to disqualify more than half a million Texas voters from early voting.
Enforcement of Voter Suppression Law in Texas Uncertain
The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled yesterday that Texas could enforce its strict Voter ID law, despite a lower court’s finding that the law was discriminatory and would likely suppress the votes of African Americans and Hispanics in Texas.
Early Voting Has Started in Many States
In states with close races for Senate seats or highly contested ballot measures, early voting allows for a glimpse of what may be in November.
As Midterm Elections Near, Courts Are Taking On Voter Suppression
With less than a month before the November 4 elections, courts are weighing in on voting rights across the nation.
Marriage Equality Set to Take Hold in 35 States Following Court Rulings
Decisions by the US Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals this week brought the number of states in which same-sex marriage bans are effectively null and void to 35.
Court Reinstates Same-Day Voter Registration in North Carolina
A federal appeals court blocked North Carolina’s effort to end same-day voter registration and out-of-precinct voting – methods disproportionately used by minority voters – overturning a decision by a lower court just last month.
Afghanistan and US Finalize Bilateral Security Agreement
In a nationally televised ceremony at the Presidential Palace just one day after President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai took office, Afghanistan signed a major security agreement with the United States.
US Supreme Court Shuts Down First Week of Early Voting in Ohio
Less than 24 hours before the start of Ohio’s would-be voting period, the Supreme Court blocked efforts to restore a full seven days of early voting in the state, marking a win for the Republican-controlled legislature that enacted the new voting restrictions.
States Refusing to Expand Medicaid Face Increased Costs and Larger Uninsured Populations
According to new data, seven of the 11 major metropolitan areas with rates of uninsured people higher than the national average are in states that have rejected Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Says Controversial Nominee Lacks Support
Prominent Democrats voiced overwhelming opposition to the appointment of Boggs, who supported Confederate flag insignia as a Georgia state legislator, wanted to ban same-sex marriage, and supported the publication of abortion doctors’ names on the Internet.
Legislation to Support Testing of Backlogged Rape Kits Goes to President’s Desk
The Senate on Thursday voted to renew the Debbie Smith Act, aimed at cutting the backlog of untested rape kits. The bill, already passed in the House, now heads to President Obama to become law.
GALLERY: Inside the White House Launch of the “It’s On Us” Campaign
Today, the White House announced the official launch of “It’s On Us,” a media initiative aimed at ending campus sexual assault. Here’s a glimpse into what happened!
Senate Republicans Blocked the Paycheck Fairness Act Again
The Senate Republicans blocked the Paycheck Fairness Act yesterday, marking the second time this year and the fourth time since 2012 legislators voted along party lines against the equal pay legislation.
Hundreds of Activists Rallied for the ERA This Weekend
Nearly every speaker, in some way, called for the crowd to heed the message on the rally’s banner: “Remember in November.”
Senate Holds Hearing on Police Militarization One Month After Michael Brown’s Death
Senator Claire McCaskill led an oversight hearing Tuesday in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee highlighting growing concerns about the militarization of state and local law enforcement agencies.
UPDATE: Paycheck Fairness Act Advances in the Senate
The Senate voted 73-25 to allow the bill to move forward to a debate.
Paycheck Fairness Act Expected to Come to a Vote Today
This marks the second time this year that the Senate will take up the equal pay legislation.
White House Names Megan Smith as Chief Technology Officer
President Barack Obama last week named Megan Smith, former Google Vice President and out lesbian, to the highest ranking tech job in the White House.
Former Virginia Governor and First Lady Found Guilty on 14 Charges in Corruption Case
Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, were found guilty Thursday on a combined 14 counts of conspiracy, fraud, influence-peddling, bribery, and extortion by a jury in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Terry O’Neill Was One of Hundreds Arrested Calling for Immigration Reform at White House Rally
O’Neill was arrested during El Dia Decisivo, a civil disobedience action led by Casa de Maryland and the newly formed Casa de Virginia. She spoke to the Feminist Newswire just hours after being released from custody.