FSRN Weekly Edition – February 10, 2017
- U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals due to rule soon on Trump’s travel ban
- Attorney Gen. takes oath, more EOs rolled out, and a mother’s deportation
- Repeal of Obamacare gives hope for advocates of single payer healthcare
- Betsy DeVos sworn in as Secretary of Education
- Army Corps of Engineers grants easement for remaining stretch of Dakota Access pipeline
- Denver authorities begin permitting process for cannabis consumption venues
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U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upholds stay blocking Trump’s travel ban
The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected the Trump administration’s legal bid to reinstate an entry ban on citizens from seven Muslim-majority nations. The unanimous ruling came late Thursday, and was met with swift reaction – with President Trump vowing on Twitter to “see you in court.”
But for now the brakes stay on the ban, and the case — brought by the states of Washington and Minnesota and joined by 17 other states plus the District of Columbia — potentially moves forward. Lena Nozizwe looks at what is shaping up to be the most significant Constitutional challenge facing the new Trump administration.
Attorney Gen. takes oath, more EOs rolled out, and a mother’s deportation
Which tack the response to the 9th Circuit’s ruling will take remains to be seen. While asking the Supreme Court to consider the case is one possibility, there are others — like taking the stay appeal to the full 9th Circuit, or even rewriting the Executive Order in a way that might satisfy the Court.
Just hours before the ruling was announced, Vice President Mike Pence swore in the new U.S. Attorney General, following the divisive partisan battle over the nomination of Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions.
At the swearing-in ceremony for Sessions Thursday, President Trump also signed three new executive orders. FSRN’s Shannon Young has more.
Repeal of Obamacare Gives Hope for Advocates of Single Payer Healthcare
The U.S. Senate worked long hours this week, with Democrats holding all night floor protests and Republicans casting simple-majority votes in the wee hours. In a 2:00 a.m. vote Friday, the GOP approved another controversial cabinet nominee: Affordable Care Act foe and Medicare voucher proponent Tom Price, who took the oath of office just hours later.
Last month the Republican-led congress passed legislation to begin dismantling the ACA, also known as Obamacare, which as of March, 2016 insured 20 million Americans. Republicans have promised to replace it, but have yet to present a single plan they can all agree on.
Health care advocates and a growing number of Americans say the demise of Obamacare is a chance to push for something better, a single payer health care system, or Medicare for all. FSRN’S Larry Buhl reports from Los Angeles.
Betsy DeVos sworn in as Secretary of Education
Betsy DeVos took the helm of the Department of Education Wednesday after a contentious floor debate delayed the final up-or-down floor vote in the Senate. FSRN’s Shannon Young has more.
Army Corps of Engineers grants easement for last stretch of Dakota Access pipeline
Construction crews are already back to work on the contested Dakota Access Pipeline, protesters are again in the streets and lawyers are returning to court. Army officials granted the easement allowing the company to resume work Wednesday, after waiving a standard 14-day waiting period. FSRN’s Shannon Young has more.
Denver authorities begin permitting process for cannabis consumption venues
Despite handing an electoral college win to Donald Trump and a GOP majority in the US Congress in the recent election, some state and local jurisdictions approved some more progressive policies across the country, including relaxing restrictions on legal use of marijuana.
With a new Attorney General now in place, the Obama-era ‘hands-off’ policy regarding enforcing federal marijuana law in states that have legalized pot may well change.
Colorado is one state that could quickly become a battleground. In Denver, voters narrowly decided to allow public use of marijuana in private establishments with permits. Permit applications recently became available and Hannah Leigh Myers visited an information cafe in downtown Denver that’s ready to apply.
