1. Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s ‘Sanctuary City’ Order
On Tuesday, a federal judge in San Francisco ruled that President Donald Trump cannot withhold funds from so-called “sanctuary cities” that prohibit local law enforcement from reporting illegal immigrant activity to federal authorities. Back in March, a federal judge in Hawaii blocked Trump’s travel moratorium that barred individuals from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. The decision, which was widely praised by liberals, was criticized by conservatives who cried “judicial overreach.” The Trump administration plans to appeal both rulings to the Supreme Court.
2. Ted Cruz Proposes ‘EL CHAPO Act’ to Fund Border Wall
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced an act Tuesday that would help pay for President Trump’s planned U.S.-Mexico border wall. The “EL CHAPO Act” is named after none other than the notorious Mexican drug lord who is currently serving time in a United States maximum-security prison.
Build the wall and make El Chapo pay for it: https://t.co/6GOMaxrCBI pic.twitter.com/Eu5xUErI6g
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 25, 2017
The acronym “EL CHAPO” stands for “Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order.” If approved, this act would use seized assets from drug traffickers to fund the wall. Cruz noted that this could amount to $14 billion from El Chapo alone.
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich praised the act as a “grand and fitting irony” that penalizes the very criminals Trump’s wall is meant to target.
Ted Cruz is exactly right to focus on confiscating Mexican drug money to pay for the wall. What a grand and fitting irony.
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) April 25, 2017
3. Planned Parenthood Prepares for Protests This Weekend
Two major pro-life events this weekend have Planned Parenthood executives in full damage-control mode. In anticipation of the National Day of Prayer and Protest against Planned Parenthood, the abortion giant released a statement urging its supporters to remain calm and not to counter-protest.
LifeSite News reported that Megan Zapinski, the program manager for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, issued a notice to PP supporters who may be tempted to crash the prayer vigils, rallies, and demonstrations this weekend:
“Planned Parenthood of Michigan has non-engagement and No Counter Protest Policies, especially as it pertains to demonstrations at our health centers,” Zapinski wrote. “These demonstrations, whether in support of or opposition to Planned Parenthood, are disruptive to daily operations and intimidating for our patients.”
4. Yeah, Science! Artificial Wombs May Change the Way We View Premature Birth — and Abortion
Several news outlets reported Tuesday that researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia successfully incubated lambs born prematurely in artificial “wombs” filled with lab-created amniotic fluid. If approved, the new method could be tested on premature human babies within three to five years, the researchers say.
From The Atlantic:
If they ever materialize, artificial wombs may stir concerns among pro-choice advocates, since the devices could push the point of viability for human fetuses even lower.
This new development has the potential to revolutionize the abortion debate.
5. Coke Plans to Cut 1,200 Jobs Amid Sales Lapse
Coca-Cola executives announced Tuesday that the company will cut 1,200 jobs beginning in the second half of this year. CNN Money reported that the pending layoffs “are part of a broader cost cutting plan aimed at saving $800 million” to offset a loss in sales. The 1,200 jobs comprise a relatively small fraction of the company’s 100,000 employees worldwide.
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– Is Trump About to Backtrack on a Key Promise That’s Deeply Important to Scores of Christians?
— Royal Family Attends London Marathon to Campaign for Mental Health
– How Much of the Bible Have You Read? Here’s How You Stack Up…