Files to run for president
McAfee says he has filed the necessary paperwork to enter the 2016 race. In the documents, McAfee also specifies that he is “founding a new party yet to be announced.” His presidential campaign site, which is now live, does not have details on his stances on the issues. A quote on the site is attributed to George Washington:
Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism
We will have our official announcement at 6pm Eastern tomorrow
— John McAfee (@officialmcafee) September 8, 2015
Beats Clinton in poll
A SurveyUSA poll says in a head-to-head contest Trump would beat Clinton, with 45 percent of the vote, compared to Clinton’s 40 percent. The poll also finds that 30 percent of respondents believe Trump will eventually be the Republican nominee, leading the field. Jeb Bush comes second, with 20 percent
Rickroll Westboro Baptist Church
In response to a protest by the Westboro Baptist Church outside their concert at Kansas City’s Sprint Center, Foo Fighters drive by in a pickup truck, playing Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up. Drummer Taylor Hawkins holds a poster that reads “You Got Rick Roll’d (Again)”. Dave Grohl, Pat Smear and Nate Mendel are also seen on the truck along with fans.
Announces bid for congressional seat
Gilbert announces that she is running for Congress. She is running as a Democrat, hoping to unseat Bishop in Michigan’s 8th district.
I’m running for Congress to make life a little easier for all the families who feel they have fallen through the cracks in today’s economy. I believe building a new economy is a team effort, and we need to bring fresh voices to the table to get the job done.
Zimbabwe bans hunting
Following the outrage over the killing of Cecil the Lion by Palmer, Zimbabwe bans the hunting of lions, leopards and elephants in the area frequently used by hunters. Bow and arrow hunts are also suspended unless hunters are approved by the National Parks and Wildlife Authority. The Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe stands to lose business $40 million a year from a ban.
Defund Planned Parenthood bill
As a result of the disclosures in videos about the donation fo fetal tissue from abortions, Senator Paul introduces legislation that Majority Leader McConnell aims to vote on that halts federal funding to Planned Parenthood. The organizations receives about $500 million annually in federal funding, although that money cannot be used for abortions. Spokesperson for McConnell:
The leader is working with his members to address this horrific issue and intends to have a vote before we leave for a five-week summer recess
Re-elected
Nkurunziza wins a landslide victory, taking 69.41% of the vote, 50 percentage points ahead of his leading opponent. He will serve a third five-year term. The head of the national electoral commission (Ceni):
These presidential elections are a critical step for the population and the international community…I have always thought that the elections the Ceni is organising will not resemble those of Gabon, Mali, Nigeria, even less those of France, the US, Cameroon or Belgium. They are elections organised in Burundi for Burundians by Burundians, with challenges that remain our own.
Endorses Trump
Rodman tweets support for Trump’s presidential campaign, Trump’s first major endorsement from a high-profile celebrity. Trump thanks him for his support.
@realDonaldTrump has been a great friend for many years. We don't need another politician, we need a businessman like Mr. Trump! Trump 2016
— Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) July 24, 2015
NY minimum wage to rise
A panel appointed by Cuomo recommends a $15 an hour minimum raise from the current minimum of $8.75. The first wage increase should come by Dec. 31, taking the minimum in the city to $10.50 and in the rest of the state to $9.75. The wage in the city would then rise in increments of $1.50 annually for the next three years, until it reaches $15 at the end of 2018. In the rest of the state, the hourly wage would rise each year, reaching $15 on July 1, 2021. The mandate will apply to all workers in fast-food restaurants that are part of chains with at least 30 outlets.
Announces presidential run
Kasich declares his candidacy for President with a 45-minute personal and at times emotional speech in which he differentiates himself from his rival Republican candidates as he stresses a more empathetic approach.
The Lord wants our hearts to reach out to those who don’t have what we have. That shouldn’t be hard for America, that’s who we are. Empathy. Don’t be so quick too judge.
Signs 20-week abortion bill
Walker signs bill into law that bans abortion beyond 20 weeks of pregnancy. The law applies to non-emergency abortions only. No exceptions apply for those pregnancies that result from incest or rape. Abortions may be performed beyond the 20 week period if the mother is likely to die or suffer irreversible injury within 24 hours. A violation of the law constitutes a felony and may result in a fine up to $10,000 and 3 1/2 years in prison. Civil suits and penalties are also possible.
For people, regardless of where they might stand, when an unborn child can feel pain I think most people feel it’s appropriate to protect that child.
Marijuana bill approved
Governor Ige signs a bill to allow up to eight medical marijuana dispensary licenses within the state, including two in Maui County. These dispensary are expected to serve up to 13,000 qualified patients who hold medical marijuana card. Ige:
I support the establishment of dispensaries to ensure that qualified patients can legally and safely access medical marijuana. We will make a good faith effort to create a fair process that will help the people most in need.
Bans burqa
Chadian police says anyone caught wearing a full-face veil will be arrested. Police:
This attack just confirms that a ban on the full-face veil was justified, adding that, it now must be respected more than ever by the entire population. Anyone who does not obey the law will be automatically arrested and brought to justice,
Dismisses officials
President Buhari dismisses all of his country’s top military officials, announcing the elevation of Maj. Gen. Buratai, currently the head of the multinational anti-Boko Haram force to army chief of staff.
Running for President
Walker declares his candidacy for President, portraying himself as a man who gets things done, who got a conservative agenda passed in a state that normally supports Democrats, and who has curtailed the power of labor unions.
In the Republican field, there are some who are good fighters, but they haven’t won those battles. And there are others who’ve won elections, but haven’t consistently taken on the big fights. We showed you can do both. I am running for president to fight and win for the American people.
Federation of Teachers endorsement
The American Federation of Teachers, a 1.6 million-strong national union, votes to endorse Clinton for the 2016 Democratic presidential primary.
Hillary Clinton, a product of public schools herself, believes in the promise of public education. From early childhood learning through higher education, she sees how that promise can create real opportunity for kids, building a much-needed bridge to the middle class.
Clinton speaks often on the campaign trail about early childhood education, particularly on the importance of speaking and singing to young children, and calls for universal pre-kindergarten. She has endorsed President Obama’s plan to make community colleges free.
Obama nominates Slavitt
Obama nominates UnitedHealth Group executive Slavitt for senate approval to head Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Slavitt currently works as acting administrator of government health insurance programs and is known for his efforts in rectifying issues with the health insurance website during the rollout of the Affordable Care Act. Senator Klobuchar:
With decades of experience delivering health care services to millions of Americans, Andy has developed a track record as an effective and innovative leader who gets results. As acting administrator at CMS, Andy has played a crucial role in leading efforts to combat health care fraud, reform health care delivery, and improve health outcomes. That experience makes him the perfect person to lead this critical agency.
21st Century Cures bill approved
The House of Representatives pass the “21st Century Cures Act” which increases research funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $9 billion over the next five years. The bill also provides $550 million over the next 5 years to expedite the discovery and approval of drugs by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The bill also adds provisions to give drug companies more time to market drugs and increase the efficiency of collecting patient input. Some researchers and consumer advocates say the bill includes provisions that cuts corners in the drug approval process that undermine patient safety. Critics:
Some aspects of the bill could indeed enhance the development of and access to new drugs. Embedded in the language of the 21st Century Cures Act are some good ideas that could streamline the development and evaluation of new drugs and devices; its call for increased NIH funding may prove to be its most useful component. But political forces have also introduced other provisions that could lead to the approval of drugs and devices that are less safe or effective than existing criteria would permit
Reveals Fair Housing Act
The Obama administration plans to reduce the racial segregation of neighborhoods using federal housing funds to make desirable neighborhoods more affordable for less affluent minorities. The Fair Housing Act enforces extant civil rights law on banning residential discrimination. Areas that fail to comply with the Housing Act will lose federal housing funds. Housing and Urban Development secretary:
A ZIP code should never prevent any person from reaching their aspirations. The fact is that federal efforts have often fallen short. We’re approaching this in a very collaborative spirit. Enforcement is always a last resort — it is there, it is possible, but our preference is to work cooperatively and steadfastly with communities.
Confederate flag cemetery ban proposed
A proposal by Rep. Huffman to add language to block the Park Service, which maintains 14 national cemeteries, most of which contain graves of Civil War soldiers, from allowing private groups to decorate the graves of Southern soldiers with Confederate flags in states that commemorate Confederate Memorial Day, is passed by voice vote. The Andersonville and Vicksburg cemeteries in Georgia and Mississippi are affected. Huffman:
The American Civil War was fought, in Abraham Lincoln’s words, to ‘save the last best hope of Earth. We can honor that history without celebrating the Confederate flag and all of the dreadful things that it symbolizes.
Rep. Palazzo protests the move:
I strongly oppose the inclusion of this amendment, which was slipped into the bill in the dead of night with no debate. Congress cannot simply rewrite history and strip the Confederate flag from existence. Members of Congress from New York and California cannot wipe away 150 years of Southern history with sleight-of-hand tactics.
The Park Service funding bill is scheduled for a vote July 9.