Fed Chair Powell delivers surprises in his final announcement
4/30/202616 min
The Supreme Court dealt a significant blow to the Voting Rights Act. The Wall Street Journal’s James Romoser breaks down how the decision could affect redistricting efforts and upcoming elections.
Former FBI Director James Comey appeared in court after being indicted for a second time. Eric Tucker of the Associated Press unpacks the charges against him.
Jerome Powell will stay on at the Federal Reserve board after his term as chair expires next month. NPR reports that Powell says his decision was motivated by recent attacks on the institution’s independence.
Plus, a top Pentagon official puts a price tag on the Iran war, the breakaway LIV Golf league is losing funding from Saudi Arabia, and the $50 movie ticket has arrived.
Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsCecilia Ley· Host0:00
[intro music] Good morning. The Supreme Court weakens the Voting Rights Act in a landmark decision. The Wall Street Journal breaks it down. The Fed Chair Jerome Powell remains defiant as he announces the latest rate decision.
Jerome Powell· Soundbite0:16
I've said that I will not leave the board until this investigation is well and truly over, with transparency and finality, and I stand by that.
Cecilia Ley· Host0:24
And the $50 movie ticket has arrived. It's Thursday, April 30th, I'm Cecilia Ley, and this is Apple News Today. Yesterday, the Supreme Court issued a major ruling that could have far-reaching consequences for elections and the voting power of different racial groups in the US. In a six to three decision along ideological lines, the high court ruled Louisiana lawmakers acted illegally by considering race when drawing a new majority Black congressional district.
James Romoser· Guest0:58
Broadly speaking, the case is about the interaction between two fundamental parts of our law.
Cecilia Ley· Host1:04
James Ramoser covers the Supreme Court for the Wall Street Journal.
James Romoser· Guest1:07
The first being the Voting Rights Act, the landmark 1965 legislation that protects minority voters. The second being the Constitution, specifically the 14th Amendment, which prohibits racial discrimination generally, and which the Supreme Court's conservatives generally view as requiring colorblindness.
Cecilia Ley· Host1:27
The Supreme Court ruled that states can't take