All eyes are on the nation’s capital as abortion is back in the spotlight. The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments on banning abortions after 15 weeks. Chief Justice John Roberts—a key swing vote—seemed open to allowing states to ban abortions earlier in pregnancy, while leaving some parts of Roe v. Wade in place. Roberts said: “If you think that the issue is one of choice—that women should have a choice to terminate their pregnancy—that supposes that there is a point at which they’ve had the fair choice, an opportunity to choice. And why would 15 weeks be an inappropriate line? So, viability, it seems to me, doesn’t have anything to do with choice. But if it really is an issue about choice, why is 15 weeks not enough time?”
A government shutdown is looming, again. Lawmakers have until midnight Friday to finalize a stopgap measure—or funding will run out. Sen. Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that Republicans are working with Democrats to avoid a partial federal shutdown and keep the government funded past Friday night. He said, “We won’t shut down … I think we'll get there and certainly nobody should be concerned about a government shutdown.” Lawmakers are also facing a deadline on the debt limit commonly called the debt ceiling. The Treasury Department projects it may run out of cash in two weeks. If lawmakers don’t raise or suspend the borrowing limit, the United States could risk defaulting on its debt obligations for the first time.
