The Republican-led House of Representatives voted 216 to 207 to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to hand over audiotapes of President Biden’s interview with special prosecutor Robert Hur. But the consequences likely end there, as President Biden’s use of executive privilege for the tapes gives legal protection to Garland. (NPR)
The Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit by survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, ruling that their grievances about the destruction of the Greenwood district did not fall under the state’s public nuisance statute. The court decision dampened hopes for financial amends for the historic act of violence against Black people in U.S. history. (AP)
North Dakota voters approved a constitutional amendment imposing age restrictions on congressional candidates, barring those who could turn 81 before the end of the term. This led to a 61% approval. It’s the first nationwide measure of its kind, potentially impacting older federal officeholders, though it may face legal challenges. (NBC News)
Rhode Island is considering legislation to ban “captive hunting,” which confines animals by using barriers to prevent their escape. The bill prohibits importing or capturing animals for captive hunting and applies to private hunting grounds, aiming to protect wildlife and uphold ethical hunting practices. (AP)
The Southern Baptist Convention narrowly blocked a proposal to add a ban on women pastors to its constitution, failing to reach the two-thirds supermajority by a vote of 61%. Although the denomination already has a way to remove churches with women pastors, the doctrinal statement remains limited to male pastors. (AP)
