Politics and Government News

U.S. Catholic bishops OK steps toward possible rebuke of Biden
U.S. Catholic bishops have overwhelmingly approved the drafting of a “teaching document” that many of them hope will rebuke Catholic politicians, including President Joe Biden, for receiving Communion despite their support for abortion rights.
Tax cuts prevail over tax hikes at Capitol
In a year when the governor and legislative Democrats proposed major tax increases, the final state budget will instead contain a fair amount of tax relief.
Why some states push back as the Biden administration doles out relief money
More than a dozen Republican state attorneys general are suing the Biden administration over a provision in the American Rescue Plan that prevents states from using relief money for tax cuts.
To celebrate Juneteenth, listen to a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation
To mark Juneteenth, NPR staff members read the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth — the celebration to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States — is now a federal holiday.
The couple who waved guns at BLM protesters plead guilty to misdemeanors
The wealthy duo's defense lawyer told NPR they "understand that what they did is a violation of Missouri law" but if faced with a similar situation, Mark McCloskey would do it again.
Minnesota House GOP filibusters in contentious budget debate
The Minnesota House launched into a long, contentious debate that delayed its first floor votes on the big budget bills that lawmakers were unable to pass before time ran out on the year’s regular session last month. 
One woman's decades-long fight to make Juneteenth a U.S. holiday
"We can all finally celebrate. The whole country together," says Opal Lee, 94, who has been working for years to make Juneteenth a federal holiday.
Council presses Frey on contract for reopening 38th and Chicago
Minneapolis City Council members on Thursday questioned why Mayor Jacob Frey used emergency pandemic powers to contract with a community group tasked with reopening the intersection where George Floyd was murdered.
U.S. to spend $3.2B on treatments for COVID-19, other viruses
The United States is devoting more than $3 billion to speed development of treatments for COVID-19 and other dangerous viruses. There are some antiviral pills in development that could begin arriving by year’s end, pending the completion of testing.