Supreme Court allows Trump on Colorado ballot, Super Tuesday's impact on House races, Texas immigration law blocked, first OTC birth control pill available, French abortion law change, and biodiversity footprints of global dishes.
The Supreme Court's ruling allows Trump to stay on Colorado's primary ballot, highlighting the interplay between state and federal authority in disqualifying candidates.
Competitive house races in California could impact Congress' balance of power, underscoring the significance of swing districts in shaping national politics.
Deep dives
Supreme Court ruling on Trump's eligibility for Colorado's primary ballot
The Supreme Court unanimously decided that Donald Trump could stay on Colorado's primary ballot despite challenges. Colorado had considered disqualifying Trump for his alleged involvement in the January 6 insurrection. The Court's ruling highlighted the distinction between state and federal authority in disqualifying candidates, indicating that Congress would have the role in enforcing the 14th Amendment. This decision raises questions about the limitations on disqualifying federal officeholders and the potential implications for future cases.
Competitive California house races shaping control of Congress
California's Democratic stronghold faces competitive house races that could sway the balance of power in Congress. Swing districts in California, where Republicans slightly outnumber Democrats, will be crucial in determining control of the House. Notable races include incumbent Katie Porter's seat in Orange County and the 22nd district in the Central Valley. These contests reflect the shifting political landscape in California and the national significance of local elections in influencing congressional control.
Implications of French lawmakers making abortion a constitutional right
French lawmakers approved a bill making abortion a constitutional right amid concerns over conservative influences restricting abortion access globally. The legislation reflects a move to safeguard reproductive rights in response to international trends. The French decision contrasts with restrictive abortion measures in some parts of the United States, highlighting the importance of legislative action to protect women's reproductive health and autonomy.
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Tuesday that former President Donald Trump can stay on Colorado’s primary ballot. This reverses a decision by Colorado’s Supreme Court, which ruled that Trump could be disqualified based on his actions on January 6th, and the 14th Amendment’s stipulation that insurrectionists cannot hold public office. To understand the Supreme Court’s rationale, we spoke to Leah Litman, co-host of Crooked’s “Strict Scrutiny” and professor at the University of Michigan Law School.
Today is Super Tuesday. Voters in 16 states and American Samoa head to the polls, and one of the states we’re keeping a close eye on is California where several House races could determine which party will take control of Congress. We spoke with Marisa Lagos, KQED politics reporter, about how these California races in several swing districts got so competitive in the first place.
And in headlines: the Supreme Court temporarily blocked Texas from implementing its harsh new immigration law, the first OTC birth control pill heads to pharmacies, and French lawmakers make abortion a constitutional right.