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Representative Jayapal introduced the We the People Amendment, a constitutional amendment aiming to overturn Citizens United and end corporate personhood. The amendment seeks to curtail the undue influence of money in politics by explicitly stating that constitutional rights belong to human beings, not corporations. This would reverse the Citizens United ruling, which drastically increased corporate spending in elections, and mandate the public disclosure of all political contributions and expenditures. The amendment is supported by numerous co-sponsors and aims to restore democratic balance.
Governor Josh Shapiro is suing the Trump administration for withholding over $2 billion in congressionally approved federal funding for Pennsylvania. This funding, crucial for water safety, utility assistance, and environmental cleanup, has been blocked despite court orders. The lawsuit alleges that the federal government’s actions violate the Constitution by unilaterally suspending allocated funds and imposing new conditions. These funds are vital for numerous projects, including abandoned mine reclamation and utility bill assistance for thousands of households, and their delay poses significant risks to public safety and infrastructure.
The family of Sonya Massey, a Black woman killed by an Illinois police officer, will receive a $10 million settlement. This outcome, while providing some financial relief, highlights a deeply troubling pattern: taxpayers are, in effect, perpetually bailing out police departments for the wrongful actions of their officers. The sheer volume of similar cases underscores a systemic issue that demands far more comprehensive reform than simply writing checks.
It’s easy to focus on the financial aspect—$10 million is a significant sum—but for the Massey family, no amount of money can replace their loss. The settlement doesn’t erase the trauma of Sonya’s death, nor does it bring her back.… Continue reading
Widespread public frustration is mounting over Donald Trump’s attacks on the U.S. government. These actions, including federal workforce reductions, slashed NIH funding, and crippling cuts to USAID, are demonstrably harming the economy in areas that once backed Trump. This negative economic impact is increasingly fueling public anger and dissent. The consequences of these policies are now significantly impacting even Trump’s former supporters.
Following criticism over its renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” for US users, Google Maps has temporarily disabled user reviews for the location. This action, defended by Google as a measure to prevent irrelevant or abusive content, comes amidst accusations of censorship due to the removal of negative reviews. The company cites a previous blog post detailing its policies on combating fake reviews and managing user-generated content. This incident highlights the increasing use of “review-bombing” as a form of online protest.
President Zelenskiy firmly rejected any bilateral U.S.-Russia agreement on Ukraine’s future without Kyiv’s direct participation, emphasizing Ukraine’s sovereignty. He urged Europe’s inclusion in negotiations to end the war, expressing concern over potential deals excluding Ukraine. Zelenskiy stressed the need for a pre-negotiation U.S.-Ukraine plan and sought a meeting with President Trump before any Trump-Putin discussions. He downplayed, yet acknowledged the “unpleasant” nature of Trump’s prior call with Putin.
Concurrent with a reported drone attack, Russian forces conducted shelling and airstrikes in Ukraine, injuring civilians in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Former President Trump announced a phone call with President Putin, claiming agreement on a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Trump subsequently spoke with President Zelenskyy, asserting both leaders desired peace. The accounts of these events offer a complex picture of ongoing military actions and diplomatic efforts.
German and French defense ministers criticized the US’s preemptive concessions to Russia regarding Ukraine’s NATO membership and territorial integrity, arguing that these issues should be negotiated. These unilateral declarations by the US, which also suggested a negotiated peace based on pre-2014 borders, sparked opposition from several European nations. The Weimar+ group of countries affirmed their commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasizing that Ukraine must be involved in any peace negotiations. Conversely, the Kremlin expressed approval of the US’s stance, highlighting a perceived shift toward seeking a negotiated end to the war. Despite this, Ukraine reiterated its strategic objective of NATO membership.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that President Trump has tasked Arab nations with developing a Gaza Strip peace plan, following a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah. This request comes after Trump’s previously announced plan to relocate Palestinians and develop a resort, which has been met with resistance from Arab leaders, including Egypt’s President Sisi, who is reportedly delaying a White House visit. An Arab summit is planned to formulate this alternative plan, focusing on Gaza’s reconstruction without displacement, and potentially involving the EU and UN for funding. Simultaneously, the ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile due to Israeli violations and pressure from the US regarding the release of hostages.
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood