Term Limits for Supreme Court

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Biden Proposes Supreme Court Term Limits

President Joe Biden has proposed major changes to the U.S. Supreme Court, including 18-year term limits and a strict code of conduct for justices.

• He wants Congress to pass rules for justices to disclose gifts, avoid public political activity, and step down from cases where they or their spouses have conflicts of interest. Biden also called for a constitutional amendment to eliminate broad presidential immunity, which was recognized in a recent Supreme Court ruling involving former President Donald Trump.

• Biden shared his proposals in an opinion piece and plans to discuss them at an event in Texas. He believes no one, not even a president or a Supreme Court justice, should be above the law. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans strongly oppose these changes, calling them an attempt to undermine the court. The Republican National Committee also criticized the proposals, saying they aim to fill the court with radical judges.

• Currently, Supreme Court justices do not have a binding ethics code, unlike other federal judges. After scandals involving justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, the court adopted its first code of conduct, but critics say it lacks enforcement.

• Legislation would be needed to create term limits and a strict ethics code, but it is unlikely to pass Congress.

Blood Tests May Help Spot Alzheimer’s Sooner

Scientists are finding that blood tests can accurately diagnose Alzheimer's disease and lead to earlier treatment for more patients.

• Finding ways to detect Alzheimer’s more easily is critical now that new drugs that slow the disease’s development are entering the market. Blood tests are easier and cheaper compared to PET scans or spinal taps, and could be added seamlessly into routine doctor visits.

• The new blood test — called PrecivityAD2 — checks for protein buildup in the brain, a sign of Alzheimer's, and is 91% accurate in detecting the disease compared to other methods. The company mails the test kits to doctors who return the samples to the company’s labs to perform the test.

• Alzheimer's affects nearly 7 million Americans, with cases expected to double by 2050. New treatments work best in the early stages of the disease, so quick diagnosis is crucial. These new blood tests can help speed up the treatment process. However, some doctors are still cautious about using them because their accuracy can vary. The FDA is looking into the tests, which could lead to widespread use.

Iowa’s Six-Week Abortion Ban Takes Effect

Iowa implemented one of the strictest abortion bans in the nation on Monday.

• The ban outlaws most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. There are exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the patient. Previously, abortions were allowed up to about 22 weeks of pregnancy. Iowa joins 18 states with similar laws banning nearly all abortions after six weeks — when cardiac activity is detected in an embryo.

• The Iowa Supreme Court recently reversed a temporary injunction that had blocked the law and denied Planned Parenthood's petition for rehearing. As a result, the injunction was lifted at 8 am on Monday. Iowa Republicans passed a similar law in 2018, but a court struck it down. Then, the legal landscape shifted after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022. In July 2023, Governor Reynolds called a special session to pass the "fetal heartbeat" law again.

• Governor Reynolds called the decision "a victory for life," while critics argue the law will endanger women's lives and create significant obstacles to accessing abortion care.

Little Stories

• American flags will soon have to be made in the USA to fly over it. Congress has passed a proposal that requires the federal government to purchase American flags completely made in the U.S. The measure received bipartisan support and is expected to be signed into law soon. (More)

• McDonald’s Customers aren’t “lovin’ it.” McDonald’s reported its first drop in sales worldwide on Monday, the first decline since 2020. The chain said it was due to consumers being more budget-conscious. Big Mac meals in the U.S. aren’t cheap anymore —they’ve risen 27% since 2019 to $9.29. (More)

• An Arizona Republican mayor has backed Harris over Trump saying she’s the only candidate that can put “country over party’ in the election. Mesa Mayor John Giles wrote in an op-ed that Republicans shouldn’t support former President Trump and criticized the party for moving toward political extremism. Mesa is Phoenix’s largest suburb. (More)

• Venezuelans took to the streets to protest Maduro’s claim he won the country’s election. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner of the presidential election by the National Electoral Council, which supports his party. This gives him a third six-year term, despite the political opposition also claiming victory. (More)

• Simone Biles won’t let a calf injury stop her from competing in tonight’s Olympic team finals. Biles tweaked her left calf while warming up for qualifying on Sunday. However, she still posted top scores on floor and vault and will be a part of every event during the finals. Programming is scheduled to begin at 12:15 pm ET. (More)

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