This Texas woman’s story keeps me up at night
The battle over reproductive freedom heats up and an Iowa Republican embraces Scooby Doo villain status
It’s currently 8:23 a.m. as I sit down to write this newsletter. I’m on my second cup of coffee after a sleepless night, one of many I’ve had recently thinking ahead to the November election.
There are a lot of things keeping me up at night, most of which revolve around thinking about the consequences of a second Trump term. We don’t really have to wonder what would happen, there’s a literal 920-page blueprint that tells us what the right would pursue if returned to the White House. And it is scary. (You can learn more about Project 2025 here, here, and here).
One of the most top-of-mind issues when I lie awake is what would happen to abortion rights in a second Trump term. Millions of women in red states have already lost the right to abortion thanks to the Supreme Court judges Trump appointed during his first term.
But for some of those women—those who can afford it—they at least have some recourse right now: they can travel to other states where abortion is legal to get the care they need.
That’s what Dallas resident Olivia Harvey had to do after she was diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy.
Even though Olivia’s doctor said her pregnancy was “a ticking time bomb,” he couldn’t treat her due to Texas’ cartoonishly cruel abortion ban. Harvey was forced to fly back to her home state of North Carolina to get an abortion, a costly and harrowing experience.
While reading Cardinal & Pine’s excellent story on Harvey (seriously, you should read it), all I could think about was what would happen if traveling wasn’t an option. What would happen to women like her if there was a nationwide abortion ban?
That question is a horrifying one to entertain, but one we can’t ignore. Because under a second Trump term, we just might find out.
More from COURIER’s other newsrooms:
ARIZONA
Arizona State Senator shares that she will be seeking an abortion due to an unviable pregnancy in powerful, pro-choice speech
From The Copper Courier: Arizona State Senator Eva Burch has always been honest about her fertility journey, and Monday was no different. Burch publicly shared that she will need an abortion due to a nonviable pregnancy.
MICHIGAN
Michigan Dems advance bills to protect access to fertility care amid right-wing attacks
From The ‘Gander: The Michigan Family Protection Act would create new legal protections for parents who choose to use fertility treatments, surrogacy, or any other form of assisted reproduction—including in-vitro fertilization treatment.
PENNSYLVANIA
PA Senate candidate Dave McCormick attends another fundraiser hosted by 2020 fake electors
From The Keystone: Dave McCormick (R) continues to associate himself with Republican officials involved in the fake elector scheme designed to overturn the 2020 election to keep former President Donald Trump in power.
FLORIDA
Biden’s 2025 budget prioritizes lowering costs for families, taxing the rich
From Floricua: The president’s budget includes proposals to lower childcare costs, create a paid family leave program, lower drug costs, and strengthen Social Security and Medicare—all by raising taxes on the wealthy and corporations.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Trump faces backlash in New Hampshire over threats to Social Security and Medicare
From Granite Post: The New Hampshire Biden-Harris campaign assembled a group of concerned citizens and local leaders this month to voice their opposition to Donald Trump’s embrace of possible cuts to Social Security and Medicare.
NEVADA
Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto are taking on Big Oil for price-gouging
From The Nevadan: Citing concern for Nevadans’ wallets, Senators Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto signed a letter this month urging the FTC to tackle price gouging tactics and investigate anti-competitive Big Oil mergers.
VIRGINIA
Youngkin signs gay marriage bill, blocks gun safety and reproductive rights bills
From Dogwood: Although Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a bill meant to enshrine the legality of same-sex marriage, he vetoed or recommended major changes to bills surrounding reproductive and voting rights, gun control, book bans, and more.
IOWA
Iowa Republican blocks bill to expand firefighter cancer coverage
From Iowa Starting Line: HF 2482 would have expanded the legal definition of cancer to ensure that all forms of the disease would be covered for firefighters who receive disability coverage. Iowa Code currently only recognizes 14 forms of cancer.
WISCONSIN
This mom’s story shows the urgency of solving Wisconsin’s lead problem
From Up North News: Deanna Branch’s toddler had lead levels so high that he had to be hospitalized twice. Now, she has made it her mission to educate others on the dangers of lead poisoning and the importance of new funding from the Biden administration.
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