After weeks of delays due in part to Republican obstructionism, the United States Senate has confirmed the nomination of Lael Brainard, a member of the Federal Reserve’s board of governors, as the next vice chair of the central bank. In a 52–43 vote on the Senate floor on Tuesday, lawmakers …

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a series of controversial education bills regulating what public schools can teach and the playing of sports by transgender youth Thursday morning. Some of the bills drew a lot of attention, including a bill aimed at critical race theory. The measure bans nine “divisive concepts” …

by Ariana Figueroa, Florida Phoenix April 28, 2022 WASHINGTON — Experts tracking disinformation efforts online detailed to lawmakers on a U.S. House Administration panel Thursday how communities of color are targets for those disinformation campaigns. Democrats on the Subcommittee on Elections expressed their concern about how communities of color are …

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it has begun the process of banning menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. “Banning menthol — the last allowable flavor — in cigarettes and banning all flavors in cigars will help save lives, particularly among those disproportionately affected by these deadly products. With these …

by Jacob Fischler, Idaho Capital Sun April 26, 2022 The U.S. House cleared a bill Tuesday that would expand the Kansas site honoring the U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning school segregation, adding National Park Service sites in other states to commemorate their roles in the decision as well. The bill …

Lincoln Mitchell, Columbia University On Nov. 27, 1978, Dianne Feinstein – then the 45-year-old president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and two-time failed mayoral candidate – effectively announced her retirement from politics. It was a foggy morning, and Feinstein greeted reporters at City Hall by telling them she …

President Joe Biden reportedly said he’s considering canceling some student loan debt in a private meeting with House Democrats. Two sources told NBC News that the president received requests from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus members to extend the pause on student loan payments and cancel at least $10,000 in student loan …

U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn, of North Carolina, was caught with a loaded gun at an airport last week, according to police. The incident was reported after TSA agents at the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport alerted police that a firearm had been found in a bag at one of their security screening …

by John L. Micek, Pennsylvania Capital-Star April 26, 2022 A central Pennsylvania congressman played a “key” role in efforts to topple the 2020 election results, and pushed to get the country’s top intelligence official to investigate baseless conspiracy theories, according to a newly published report. The lawmaker, U.S. Rep. Scott …

By Uriel J. García, The Texas Tribune April 26, 2022 The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday morning on whether the Biden administration can scrap a Trump-era policy that forces asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico as their cases make their way through U.S. immigration courts. During two hours of arguments, …

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Monday establishing a new, first-of-its-kind election police task force to investigate voter fraud allegations as well as other election violations or irregularities. The bill, Senate Bill 524, creates the Office of Election Crimes and Security under the direction of the Department of State. …

President Joe Biden on Tuesday issued the first three pardons of his presidency — including one to a Secret Service agent who guarded President John F. Kennedy — and commuted the sentences of 75 others, the White House announced. “Today, I am pardoning three people who have demonstrated their commitment …

Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive for COVID-19 Tuesday on both rapid and PCR tests, according to a statement from her press secretary. She “has exhibited no symptoms, will isolate and continue to work from the Vice President’s residence,” according to the statement. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden …

by Jacob Fischler, Louisiana Illuminator April 25, 2022 A federal judge in Louisiana said Monday he will block the Biden administration from lifting a public health order that keeps immigrants seeking asylum out of the United States. U.S. District Judge Robert R. Summerhays told Republican state attorneys general and the …

by Jennifer Shutt, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 24, 2022 WASHINGTON — Abortion access throughout the country could soon depend on a patchwork of state laws if a U.S. Supreme Court dominated by conservatives overturns the constitutional right it established nearly 50 years ago. The court’s decision on Mississippi’s 15-week abortion …