May 23, 2024 - Daily Digest
Today is May 23, 2024, and here are the critical stories that you may have missed from today. If you enjoy this content and want access to more content or to support my work, then consider becoming a monthly subscriber below:
1) Louisiana Senate Votes To Classify Abortion Pills as Dangerous Substances
Today, the Louisiana Senate, led by Senate Republicans, voted to reclassify abortion pills as dangerous substances under Louisiana law. The bill, which was already passed by the Louisiana House of Representatives, will classify multiple abortion medications including misoprostol and mifepristone as Schedule IV controlled dangerous substances in the state.
This reclassification will put the medications in the same category as narcotics and depressants requiring women in Louisiana to get a valid prescription prior to getting access to the medication.
The law will make having the medication without a valid prescription punishable by up to five years in Louisiana state prison. The bill has a carveout for pregnant people who obtain the medication without a prescription if they obtain for their personal use.
According to numerous doctors in Louisiana, this legislation will make it more difficult for them to prescribe the critical medication to residents, especially since the medication is not just used for abortions and has covers other reproductive health care needs.
The Louisiana Governor is expected to sign the bill in the next 24 hours and has already signaled his support for the legislation. Louisiana already has a near total abortion ban in the state, and this move will only further tighten restrictions to reproductive care in Louisiana.
2) Biden Campaign Slams Trump as Racist in New Ad
In a new ad released by Biden-Harris HQ, the campaign is calling Trump a "lifelong racist" ahead of Trump's visit to the Bronx today. The ad highlights Trump's past language calling for the execution of five innocent Black and Brown teenagers from the Central Park Five. In addition, it slams Trump for standing with white supremacists and refusing to rent his apartments to Black families. The ad concludes by highlight Trump's comments that there will be a bloodbath if he loses, vowing to be a dictator if he is elected in November. Watch the new ad here.
3) Peter Navarro's En Banc Review Request Denied
Today, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals denied former Trump Advisor Peter Navarro's petition for en banc review of a prior decision that rejected Navarro's appeal of his two convictions for contempt of Congress.
Previously, a jury convicted Navarro of two counts of contempt of Congress for defying a lawful subpoena issued by the January 6th Committee. Navarro was later sentenced to a 4-month prison sentence, which has has been severing for several weeks now.
While incarcerated, Navarro has made multiple attempts to modify his sentence and seek relief from appellate courts, all of which are denied. No judge on the D.C. Circuit voted to hear Navarro's appeal, making it a clear loss for Navarro. Read the short order from the court below:
4) White House Slams Lauren Boebert For Her Hypocrisy
Lauren Boebert is again taking credit for a bill that she did not vote for. Later, Boebert posted about how she heped secure more than $51.4 million for a bridge project in Colorado.
If you recall, Boebert voted against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and other legislation that the Administration has put forth to support America's infrastructure.
The White House called her out for her hypocrisy. Click here.