This week in the news:President Obama rejects Keystone XL pipeline, Supreme Court to have another hearing on ObamaCare, more details unravel concerning Russian airplane crash, and Trans-Pacific Partnership details finally released.
1. President Obama rejects Keystone XL pipeline
President Obama announced on Friday that he has rejected the Keystone XL pipeline, which would have carried oil from Canada through the Midwest, and then down to Mexico. This marked a major victory for environmental groups, who claim that the pipeline would have been unsafe. Proponents of the project said that it would have helped create jobs and curb U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
Obama stressed his climate change agenda, stating that there are advanced technologies that would provide cleaner alternatives than crude oil.
2. Supreme Court to have another hearing on ObamaCare
The Supreme Court has agreed on Friday to hear from religious non-profit groups who oppose ObamaCare’s contraception mandate. This suit also applies to religiously affiliated schools who claim that offering contraceptives goes against their religious beliefs. Last year the court ruled in favor of Hobby Lobby, which allowed family-owned business to refuse contraception coverage in their insurance plans.
3. More details unravel concerning Russian airplane crash
After the mysterious Russian airplane crash that killed all passengers on board Saturday, a U.S. intelligence official suggested that ISIS or an affiliate planted a bomb on the plane. Further investigations are needed to confirm this claim.
4. Trans-Pacific Partnership details finally released
After 5 years of closed-door negotiations, the U.S. and 11 other Pacific Rim countries made the TPP agreement public on Thursday. Congress will then review the agreement, which spans hundreds of pages, and either approve or reject the proposal. The trade deal aims to lower or eliminate traditional barriers to goods, services, and agriculture between the 12 countries.
