December 9, 2023 - Daily Digest

A Texas woman's life is at risk today because of extreme Republicans

Today is December 9, 2023 and here are the key stories you may have missed over the past 24 hours. If you enjoy these digests, and want access to more, exclusive content, then consider becoming a monthly subscriber below:

1) Texas Supreme Court Puts Woman’s Life At Risk

Kate Cox is a 31 year old woman who is currently 20 weeks pregnant. Recently, Cox was informed by her doctor that her unborn fetus had a fatal genetic condition. This condition not only ensured that Cox would lose her child, but it also began to cause significant complications for Cox during the pregnancy, impacting her overall health. Just in the past month, Cox had been in and out of the emergency room because of the fetus' genetic condition. After consultation with her medical provider, her doctor recommended that she receive an emergency abortion procedure. The only problem was the state she lived in. 

Texas currently has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation. The Texas law prevents abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. As a result, Cox sued to get the emergency abortion procedure. The lower court agreed with her arguments, and allowed the procedure to move forward. However, Texas Republicans, led by Attorney General Ken Paxton (who is under criminal indictment), asked the Texas Supreme Court to overturn this decision. 

Overnight, the Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked the lower court's ruling pending a full decision on the issue. Because of this temporary hold, Cox can no longer receive the emergency care she needs until the Supreme Court issues its full decision on whether she can have an abortion. In the interim, Cox will be forced to continue carrying her unborn fetus, and will continue experiencing the many complications and threats to her health that come with it. 

What is happening in Texas right now can happen across America. Watch this closely. Since the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, states across America have jumped to implement extreme abortion bans, placing the lives of women at risk. If you are enraged by this decision, then go to the polls and vote for candidates who will codify abortion rights into federal law. 

2) United States Vetoes Ceasefire Resolution

The United States has used its veto to block a United Nations resolution that called for the permanent ceasefire in Gaza. As one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, the United States has veto power over resolutions like this ceasefire one. The United States has been clear that Israel has a right to defend itself within the confines of international law, and has resisted outside calls to publicly support a more permanent ceasefire in Gaza, especially when Israeli and American hostages remain in the enclave. 97 countries supported the ceasefire resolution, but this is not surprising. Historically, the United Nations has not been a friend to Israel and has come under significant scrutiny for allowing countries like North Korea to join the United Nations Human Rights Council, while simultaneously targeting Israel with negative resolutions condemning its actions.

3) Another Israeli Hostage Dies In Hamas Custody

More terrible news coming out of Gaza where yet another Israeli hostage has passed away in Hamas custody. Sahar Baruch was a 25-year-old abducted by Hamas terrorists from his kibbutz. Hamas is claiming that Baruc was killed during a failed Israeli hostage rescue operation, while the IDF has not yet commented publicly. No matter the circumstance of Barcuh’s death, the fact of the matter is that he should not have been in Hamas custody in the first place. We must bring them home now.

4) Funding For Ukraine Running Out

Russia has fired cruise missiles targeting Kyiv, the Capital of Ukraine, for the first time in nearly three months according to Fox News Reporter Jennifer Griffin. As Griffin notes, this latest attack comes as Russian State TV is actively praising Republican lawmakers in the United States for obstructing attempts by Democrats to pass additional aid to Ukraine. The Biden Administration has warned lawmakers that if additional aid is not passed by the end of the year, the current aid to Ukraine will likely run out.

This is all part of Vladimir Putin's plan. With Russian elections upcoming in March, Putin made a bet on the situation that lawmakers in the United States would eventually stop providing funding to Ukraine, thereby allowing Russia to take more of the sovereign country. This bet is proving to be a good one as lawmakers have thus far refused to pass additional aid to Ukraine and have signaled that no additional aid will come before the end of the year. Once again, Republicans are siding with Vladimir Putin over protecting our allies abroad.