On the Radar

Defying Abortion Referral Rule

Federally-funded family planning clinics, including Planned Parenthood, are vowing to defy the Trump administration's ban on referring women for abortions.

Instead, Planned Parenthood said they will stop accepting federal money and tap emergency funding as they pressure Congress to reverse the administration's ban.

"We are not going to comply with a regulation that would require health care providers to not give full information to their patients," Jacqueline Ayers, the group's top lobbyist, said Tuesday. "We believe as a health care provider it is wrong to withhold health care information from patients."

The Department of Health and Human Services formally notified clinics Monday that it will begin enforcing a ban on abortion referrals.

Should taxpayer-funded clinics be allowed to refer women for abortions?

Hey, Google, Should You Be Investigated for Treason?

President Trump said he will “take a look” at investigating Google for treason after investor Peter Thiel claimed the company had been infiltrated by Chinese agents and was working with Beijing.

Thiel, who sits on Facebook’s board, told the National Conservatism Conference over the weekend that the FBI and CIA need to ask three questions of Google:

1. "Number one, how many foreign intelligence agencies have infiltrated your Manhattan Project for AI?
2. "Number two, does Google's senior management consider itself to have been thoroughly infiltrated by Chinese intelligence?
3. "Number three, is it because they consider themselves to be so thoroughly infiltrated that they have engaged in the seemingly treasonous decision to work with the Chinese military and not with the US military... because they are making the sort of bad, short-term rationalistic [decision] that if the technology doesn't go out the front door, it gets stolen out the backdoor anyway?"

Should Google be investigated for treason?

Under the Radar

9/11 Victims Compensation Fund Blocked

Democratic presidential contender Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) took to the Senate floor on Wednesday to ask for the passage of the Never Forget the Heroes Act by unanimous consent, only to be met with an objection from Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).

Paul explained that he opposes the bill in its current form because it doesn't offset the funding required to reauthorize the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund through FY2090. He objected to the request to ensure he can cast a roll call vote against it at a later date.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has indicated that the bill will receive a vote before his chamber adjourns for August recess, although it's unclear when that will occur and whether it will be considered as a standalone bill or attached to other legislation.

Do you support permanently funding the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund?

Immigration and Border Security Bill

President Trump presented an immigration bill Tuesday aimed at strengthening border security, increasing interior enforcement, and tightening asylum procedures. The plan also includes a merit-based immigration system that prioritizes those with special skills over low-skilled workers.

The 620-page bill, which has lined up 10 GOP co-sponsors, does not address the “Dreamer” children of immigrants or those currently under Temporary Protected Status—both of which are priorities for Democrats.

"In Washington, I find a lot of people are very quick to say what they are against," Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, said during the Cabinet meeting. "But it's very important for us to articulate as an administration what we're for, but to do it in detail. And we're not afraid to put out details because we think that this proposal is a very very good proposal that really is great for America."

"The Trump administration, despite what some people say, believes in safe, legal immigration and is against illegal and random migration," Kushner said.

Do you support Trump's immigration and border security bill?

What You're Saying

Here's how you're answering Should Attorney General Barr & Commerce Secretary Ross Be Held in Contempt for Refusing to Comply With Subpoenas for Census Documents?