Virginia assault weapons ban takes effect as legal battle begins
Virginia's new assault weapons ban is now in effect despite expected legal challenges from the Trump administration and opponents of the law. Delegate Dan Helmer, who led the legislation, defended the measure as a constitutional step to reduce gun violence, arguing it targets future sales rather than existing gun owners. Helmer said the state is prepared to defend the law in court.
Virginia's new assault weapons ban is now in effect despite expected legal challenges from the Trump administration and opponents of the law. Delegate Dan Helmer, who led the legislation, defended the measure as a constitutional step to reduce gun violence, arguing it targets future sales rather than existing gun owners. Helmer said the state is prepared to defend the law in court.
Senate stalemate keeps SAVE Act in limbo
With the SAVE Act still stalled in the Senate and a federal judge blocking President Trump's executive order requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, election integrity remains a flashpoint ahead of the 2026 midterms. Texas Public Policy Foundation's Josh Findley argues states can still strengthen voter ID and election security measures on their own, says the proposed reforms could be implemented before November, and contends Senate procedural rules—particularly the filibuster—are the biggest obstacle to advancing the legislation.
With the SAVE Act still stalled in the Senate and a federal judge blocking President Trump's executive order requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, election integrity remains a flashpoint ahead of the 2026 midterms. Texas Public Policy Foundation's Josh Findley argues states can still strengthen voter ID and election security measures on their own, says the proposed reforms could be implemented before November, and contends Senate procedural rules—particularly the filibuster—are the biggest obstacle to advancing the legislation.
Federal judge blocks Postal Service from carrying out Trump mail-in ballot order
A federal judge has blocked the U.S. Postal Service from carrying out an executive order on mail-in ballots.
A federal judge has blocked the U.S. Postal Service from carrying out an executive order on mail-in ballots.
Pride Month and the price of authenticity: why speaking out feels riskier than ever
LGBTQ marketing expert Andrew Isen reflects on the growing personal and professional risks of businesses involving themselves in Pride Month. Isen argues that, at a time meant to celebrate authenticity and inclusion, many companies instead feel political pressure to stay silent, driven by right-wing and anti-LGBTQ ideologues.
LGBTQ marketing expert Andrew Isen reflects on the growing personal and professional risks of businesses involving themselves in Pride Month. Isen argues that, at a time meant to celebrate authenticity and inclusion, many companies instead feel political pressure to stay silent, driven by right-wing and anti-LGBTQ ideologues.
Boafo: Democratic unity is key to winning back the House
Maryland Democratic congressional nominee Adrian Boafo says his decisive primary victory in the race to succeed Steny Hoyer was driven by a positive campaign focused on his legislative record and opposition to President Donald Trump. Looking ahead to November, Boafo says Democrats of all ideological stripes must unite to reclaim the House majority, even as left-leaning Dems are notching upsets elsewhere.
Maryland Democratic congressional nominee Adrian Boafo says his decisive primary victory in the race to succeed Steny Hoyer was driven by a positive campaign focused on his legislative record and opposition to President Donald Trump. Looking ahead to November, Boafo says Democrats of all ideological stripes must unite to reclaim the House majority, even as left-leaning Dems are notching upsets elsewhere.
Reeves: Dems moving further left after primary upsets
Virginia Sen. Bryce Reeves says recent Democratic primary victories by Democratic Socialist-backed candidates in New York, Colorado and Washington, D.C., reflect a broader shift within the Democratic Party. Reeves argues Virginia Democrats have advanced costly, more government-dependent policies, predicts legal challenges to the state's assault weapons ban will ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court, and says Republicans see the party's leftward movement as a growing political opportunity.
Virginia Sen. Bryce Reeves says recent Democratic primary victories by Democratic Socialist-backed candidates in New York, Colorado and Washington, D.C., reflect a broader shift within the Democratic Party. Reeves argues Virginia Democrats have advanced costly, more government-dependent policies, predicts legal challenges to the state's assault weapons ban will ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court, and says Republicans see the party's leftward movement as a growing political opportunity.
Virginia locks in timeline for 2027 retail marijuana market
Following a budget compromise with lawmakers, Virginia officials finalized the timeline, restrictions and enforcement rules for the Commonwealth's upcoming retail cannabis market.
Following a budget compromise with lawmakers, Virginia officials finalized the timeline, restrictions and enforcement rules for the Commonwealth's upcoming retail cannabis market.
Court blocks Trump administration’s student loan forgiveness overhaul
Two federal judges have struck down a Trump administration overhaul of the public service student loan forgiveness program.
Two federal judges have struck down a Trump administration overhaul of the public service student loan forgiveness program.
Justice department orders prosecutors to focus on ‘birth tourism’ cases
The Justice Department has ordered federal prosecutors to prioritize “birth tourism” cases, signaling a quiet demur to the Supreme Court’s decision.
The Justice Department has ordered federal prosecutors to prioritize “birth tourism” cases, signaling a quiet demur to the Supreme Court’s decision.
Justice Department files lawsuit against Virginia over new semi-automatic rifle ban
The Justice Department is taking Virginia to court over a new gun law restricting the purchase and sale of certain semi-automatic firearms, including AR-15-style rifles.
The Justice Department is taking Virginia to court over a new gun law restricting the purchase and sale of certain semi-automatic firearms, including AR-15-style rifles.
Judges block Virginia assault weapons ban ahead of July 1 implementation
Virginia’s new assault weapons ban will not take effect as scheduled on July 1 for several localities across the Commonwealth following a series of legal challenges.
Virginia’s new assault weapons ban will not take effect as scheduled on July 1 for several localities across the Commonwealth following a series of legal challenges.
Judges block Virginia assault weapons ban ahead of July 1 implementation
Virginia’s new assault weapons ban will not take effect as scheduled on July 1 for several localities across the Commonwealth following a series of legal challenges.
Virginia’s new assault weapons ban will not take effect as scheduled on July 1 for several localities across the Commonwealth following a series of legal challenges.
Dallas to host Republican midterm convention, Trump says
Trump took to Truth Social to announce the event that he says will celebrate the “great American comeback" where the party will look to ramp up support by touting what they see as successes during the Trump presidency.
Trump took to Truth Social to announce the event that he says will celebrate the “great American comeback" where the party will look to ramp up support by touting what they see as successes during the Trump presidency.
Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship in major defeat for Trump
In a major final-day ruling, the Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration's attempt to curtail birthright citizenship via executive order. In a 5-4 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts—joined by Justice Amy Coney Barrett and the court's three liberal justices—affirmed that the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to children born on U.S. soil, even if their parents are in the country temporarily or unlawfully.
In a major final-day ruling, the Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration's attempt to curtail birthright citizenship via executive order. In a 5-4 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts—joined by Justice Amy Coney Barrett and the court's three liberal justices—affirmed that the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to children born on U.S. soil, even if their parents are in the country temporarily or unlawfully.
New Virginia laws starting July 1: Pay transparency, rent rules and more
New Virginia laws taking effect July 1 include changes to criminal records, rent payments, eviction notices, job postings, non-competes and traffic enforcement.
New Virginia laws taking effect July 1 include changes to criminal records, rent payments, eviction notices, job postings, non-competes and traffic enforcement.
Birthright citizenship: Supreme Court rejects Trump crackdown
The Supreme Court has ruled President Trump’s crackdown on birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, rejecting his executive order declaring that children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.
The Supreme Court has ruled President Trump’s crackdown on birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, rejecting his executive order declaring that children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.
Supreme Court upholds state laws banning transgender girls and women from school athletics
The United States Supreme Court released its opinion Tuesday on upholding state laws banning transgender athletes from female sports teams, handing a major victory to supporters of laws they say protect fairness in women’s athletics.
The United States Supreme Court released its opinion Tuesday on upholding state laws banning transgender athletes from female sports teams, handing a major victory to supporters of laws they say protect fairness in women’s athletics.
Arkansas to move forward with SNAP candy, soda ban despite court order, governor says
Arkansas' ban on using SNAP benefits for some sugary items will go forward this week, despite federal judge's ruling against five other states' similar programs, governor says.
Arkansas' ban on using SNAP benefits for some sugary items will go forward this week, despite federal judge's ruling against five other states' similar programs, governor says.
Supreme Court upholds Trump's firings of the heads of independent federal agencies except the Federal Reserve
The Supreme Court ruling was expected to have a major impact on the power of the presidency.
The Supreme Court ruling was expected to have a major impact on the power of the presidency.
Supreme Court rules states can count late-arriving mailed ballots, rejects Trump-led challenge
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that states can count late-arriving mailed ballots, rejecting a Trump-led challenge.
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that states can count late-arriving mailed ballots, rejecting a Trump-led challenge.