Trump Administration Removes Transgender Health Discrimination Protections

The US Department of Health published a new rule Friday asserting that protection against “sex discrimination” in health care applies only to people who are biologically male or female. Focussed on Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, the final rule rolls back an Obama-era regulation which had added “gender identity” as grounds under which a person could suffer health care discrimination. Religious and conservative groups have welcomed the rule as protecting freedom of conscience and allowing federally funded medical practitioners and insurance companies to refuse the provision or coverage of transgender treatments. However, human rights groups are concerned the rule will leave trans-Americans without access to standard needed health care that is unrelated to sex change.

Cities in Turmoil after Killing Of Another Black Man by U.S. Police

More anti-racism and counter-protests are due to continue in the U.S. and around the world after the second high profile killing of a black man in the United States within weeks. U.S. authorities say an Atlanta police officer has been fired following the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks, over the weekend. A second officer has been placed on administrative leave.

Missouri Federal Court Upholds Pro-Life Law

On Wednesday a federal appeals court in Missouri upheld a state law requiring abortion clinics to give their clients a booklet stating that abortion will end the life of a separate human being, Christian Headlines (CH) reports. The case was originally brought by a member of “The Satanic Temple” who said the law violated her religious beliefs and Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment.

U.S. Senate Panel Approves Subpoenas In Russia Probe

The Republican-led Senate Judiciary Committee has approved subpoena power for a politically charged congressional investigation of the Justice Department’s probe into Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and its contacts with Russia.

Republican Senators Working on Police Reform Bill

US Senate Republicans announced on Tuesday that they are working on a bill to address police reform and racial injustice, Reuters reported. The move came after Congressional Democrats put forward police reform legislation on Monday.

Minneapolis Votes to Dismantle Police Department and Find New Approach to Public Safety

A majority of Minneapolis City Council members voted Sunday to dismantle the city’s police department and replace it with a new model of public safety, the New York Times (NYT) reported. The move follows activists’ calls to “defund police” after the violent death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis law enforcement officers two weeks ago. As Republicans have expectedly described such calls as “appalling” and “outlandish,” Congressional Democrats have also distanced themselves from the calls, focussing instead on bringing a new bill addressing police reform.

U.S. Supreme Court Forcing Christians To Hire Transgenders?

The U.S. Supreme Court will effectively decide whether Christian and conservative employers can be forced to hire transgender people and gays. Its case centers around a late funeral director who, in 2013, lost her job after telling her boss she would transition from male to female.

WH: Trump ‘Appalled’ by Democrats’ Call to Defund the Police

Efforts by Democrats to dismantle and defund the police department represents a “rolling back” of the “protective layers that protect Americans in their homes and places of business,” White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said on Monday.

Federal Budget Deficit Nears $2 Trillion For Fiscal Year

Uncle Sam has added $1.2 trillion to the budget deficit over the last two months, according to the latest numbers Monday that detail how the government has used cash to try to combat the coronavirus pandemic and its economic catastrophe.

Worthy Christian News