The abortion challenge

Plus: The Fed raises interest rates; the White House names a new press secretary [View this email online]( [NPR Politics]( May 7, 2022 This week, we looked at the political challenge on abortion and the Fed's latest move on interest rates. Plus, a trailblazing new White House press secretary. --------------------------------------------------------------- The Big Picture: [Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio]( Drew Angerer/Getty Images The draft opinion from the Supreme Court, showing a conservative majority willing to overturn 1973's landmark Roe v. Wade, has [rocked]( the political [world](. It presents challenges to both political parties in a year when Republicans are favored to win back the House and possibly the Senate. With Republicans, this introduces a wild card that could fire up the Democratic base. What’s more, Republicans have declined to lay out an agenda for what they would focus on if they take over Congress. If the court stops short of outright overturning Roe — overturning it would be wildly out of step with American public opinion — would Republicans try for a national ban? Surveys have shown big majorities of Americans want abortion to remain legal — with restrictions. The restrictions end of things, though, is what has been tripping up Democrats. There is growing pressure from the progressive left to end the legislative filibuster once and for all, so abortion rights could be codified into law through congressional action. But the Women’s Health Protection Act, which is likely to get another vote soon, failed earlier this year. It doesn’t have [the support from all Democrats]( let alone any Republicans. Pro-abortion rights Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine proposed their own bill, because they say the Democrats’ measure goes too far. The GOP lawmakers' bill would eliminate all restrictions that are not deemed to be made with “appropriate medical judgment.” Republicans are looking to use Democrats’ lack of specificity on what restrictions they could support or their unwillingness to talk about them against them — [sometimes in misleading ways](. Democrats seem to have largely abandoned what was once a politically popular line about abortion — making it “safe, legal and rare.” President Biden also appears unlikely to be able to reframe the narrative with a big speech on abortion the way former President Barack Obama did on big issues. But abortion has long been a litmus-test issue for Republicans. And the fact remains, the reason this issue is the focus of national attention in this moment is because GOP-led legislatures are testing what’s acceptable, with severe restrictions — which is what the Democratic legislation was in response to — and that the high court is considering completely doing away with a right that has been in place for the adult lives of most women who are alive. Consider: A woman who was 21 when Roe was decided is turning 70 this year. — [Domenico Montanaro]( NPR’s senior political editor/correspondent [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- ICYMI: Top Stories Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images New White House press secretary: [Karine Jean-Pierre succeeds Jen Psaki]( whose last day is May 13. Jean-Pierre will be the first Black press secretary in White House history and the first openly gay person in the high-profile role. Fed raises interest rates: The Federal Reserve ordered the [largest interest rate hike]( in more than two decades as part of its campaign to battle high inflation. The Fed is also concerned that the tight job market is pushing wages higher, which could fuel additional inflation. Friday’s [jobs numbers show]( the U.S. job market is still super hot. Jill Biden heads to Romania and Slovakia: She's visiting with Ukrainian refugees forced to flee after Russia’s invasion. [The trip marks Biden's most high-profile moment yet as first lady]( and it's one that uses the symbolism of the role: signaling America's commitment by showing up — and bringing the media attention with her. Primary night takeaways: GOP candidates backed by former President Donald Trump had a good night in Ohio and Indiana on Tuesday. To recap: The night’s headliner was author J.D. Vance, who saw a big boost after Trump endorsed him to replace retiring Ohio Sen. Rob Portman. In Indiana, Jennifer-Ruth Green, a former Iraq vet and Air Force pilot, ran her campaign bashing her main opponent for not supporting Trump in 2016. [Catch up with the results here]( and with our [special mid-week newsletter]( that includes a roundup of NPR member station reporting. House vote on staffers unionizing: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said next week the House will vote on legislation [that would allow House staffers to unionize](. — [Heidi Glenn]( NPR Politics digital editor The Shot: Eman Mohammed for NPR Senators and demonstrators gathered on the steps of the Supreme Court to oppose — or celebrate — a draft opinion suggesting it intends to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that established the right to an abortion. On Tuesday, the day after the leaked opinion was published by Politico, [NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben and producer Barbara Sprunt headed to the court]( to talk to demonstrators on both sides. Some of those protesting the opinion told them they're also worried that other unenumerated rights are also at risk of being overturned. Those cheering the opinion told them they were there as a show to the justices to stand firm. [Click here for a look at the scene outside the Supreme Court on Tuesday](. — [Heidi Glenn]( NPR digital editor --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Listen Live]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [nprpolitics@npr.org](mailto:nprpolitics@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! 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