Judge OKs attempt to bar Marjorie Taylor Greene from Congress – National & International News – TUE 19Apr2022

Judge OKs suit to bar Marjorie Taylor Greene from Congress. Biden expands asylum rights for Ukrainians. Israel retaliates after Gaza fires rocket

NATIONAL NEWS

Judge OKs attempt to bar Marjorie Taylor Greene from Congress

Judge Amy Totenberg of the northern district of Georgia will allow a suit to bar Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) from running for re-election to Congress to go forward. Greene represents Georgia’s 14th congressional district.  The lawsuit cites the 14th Amendment to challenge Greene’s eligibility to serve in Congress because of her role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Voters from Greene’s district brought the suit with backing from liberal groups.

The relevant passage of the 14th Amendment reads, “No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previously taken an oath … to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof”.

In her decision, Totenberg cited “a whirlpool of colliding constitutional interests of public import” in her reasoning for approving the suit. The suit will now proceed to a higher state court. Even if the higher court rules against Greene, Greene may challenge the ruling.

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Biden expands asylum rights for Ukrainians as thousands arrive at border

The Biden administration has expanded Ukrainian’s access to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the US. TPS applies to migrants from countries experiencing conflict, environmental disasters or other “extraordinary” circumstances that prevent their safe return.

The White House has decided to move up the cut-off date for applications by 6 weeks. This means that thousands more Ukrainians who have managed to reach the US since the Russian invasion will be eligible for TPS. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says Ukrainians residing in the US as of April 11 who meet other eligibility rules and pass background checks would be eligible for TPS.

Biden has vowed to admit as many as 100,000 Ukrainians fleeing the war to the US.

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Click here to find out how you can help Ukrainians and other refugees in the US (opens in new tab).

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Israel retaliates after Gaza fires rocket

Yesterday, a lone rocket was fired from Gaza into Israeli territory. There were no casualties or damage because Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system intercepted it. Nevertheless, Israel has retaliated with its first missile strikes into Gaza for nearly a year. Israeli defense sources say they had targeted a “Hamas weapons manufacturing site”. No group has taken responsibility for the rocket from Gaza, but Israel holds Hamas responsible for all strikes from Gaza. According to witnesses, there were no casualties in Gaza from the Israeli strike.

Things have been quiet since this morning with no further exchanges of missiles. However, international observers worry that this may only be the beginning of a broader and deadlier conflict. Ethnic tensions have been brewing for weeks. Palestinian gunmen have targeted Israelis, with Israeli forces cracking down hard on Palestinian and Israeli Arabs in response.

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