What We're Reading - July 18
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Good morning, everyone! Yesterday, by 10 a.m., Washington was the hottest place in the country and today is expected to get even warmer. If you need a distraction from the heat, check out what we’re reading this morning…
Federal judge dismisses law suit against birth control ruling. “Contraception Mandate Lawsuit Filed By 7 States Dismissed By Judge” – “A federal judge in Nebraska has dismissed a lawsuit filed by seven states against President Barack Obama's administration over the Affordable Care Act provision that requires most health insurance plans to cover birth control without co-pay, the Lincoln Journal Star reported on Tuesday. The lawsuit, filed by the Republican attorneys general of Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas, was rejected by U.S. District Judge Warren Urbom of Lincoln, who sided with the U.S. Justice Department. ‘The plaintiffs face no direct and immediate harm, and one can only speculate whether the plaintiffs will ever feel any effects from the rule when the temporary enforcement safe harbor terminates,’ the judge said. ‘This case clearly involves 'contingent future events that may not occur as anticipated, or indeed may not occur at all,' ... and therefore it is not ripe for review.’”
Veepstakes continues, with added pressure from opponents of women’s health. “Perkins urges Romney to pick outspoken abortion critic in private meeting” – “Family Research Council president Tony Perkins urged Mitt Romney in a private meeting yesterday to select a running mate who has been outspoken against abortion. ‘My encouragement to him on a pro-life running mate isn’t just somebody who has checked the box [on opposing abortion rights] but somebody who has a portfolio of support on the culture of life,’ Perkins said in a telephone interview. Perkins said he told Romney that Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell would all be good picks, but also raised the prospect of firebrand freshman Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.). And Romney’s response? ‘He’d make a good poker player,’ Perkins cracked. ‘He was not going to let on one way or another.’ The social conservative leader said he ‘talked about how the vice-presidential pick is an important step in ensuring enthusiastic support among social conservatives.’” Perkins, who is in frequent contact with Romney advisers Peter Flaherty and Ed Gillespie, said he didn’t get a commitment from Romney to pick a running mate who opposes abortion rights because he didn’t need one. ‘The campaign has clearly communicated that,’ he said. ‘That was my understanding going in.’”
Opponents of women’s health throw a kitchen sink full of attacks in a new proposal. “NPR, Planned Parenthood, AmeriCorps targeted in GOP House budget” – “WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republicans Tuesday unveiled legislation to get rid of AmeriCorps, the national service program, and cut off federal funding for National Public Radio, public television and Planned Parenthood. The moves would come in a controversial spending bill that pays for labor, health and education programs for the budget year beginning Oct. 1. The measure is dead on arrival with Democrats but contains many provisions to please tea party conservatives. ‘This bill is an extremely partisan proposal, stands little chance of even being brought up on the House floor, and will rightly be disregarded by both the Senate and the president,’ said Rep. Norm Dicks of Washington, top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee. It's the last of 12 annual spending bills for the upcoming budget year to be released. The GOP-controlled House has passed six of the measures but the Democratic Senate has yet to debate a single measure, and lawmakers are sure to have to pass a stopgap funding bill in September to avoid a government shutdown when the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.”
