Wednesday morning news: November 30, 2022

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kristen Flavin. 

RFMA vote » The Senate passed the so-called Respect for Marriage Act yesterday. The bill codifies a right to same-sex marriage in federal law.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

SCHUMER: Passing the bill is our chance to send a message to Americans everywhere, no matter who you are, where, who you are or who you love, you too deserve dignity and equal treatment under the law.

The legislation came about in response to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, and fear that the same thing could happen to Obergefell v. Hodges. That’s the Supreme Court decision that established a right to same-sex marriage.

But religious liberty advocates say Obergefell was never in jeopardy and the bill will trample on the rights of people who believe marriage is between one man and one woman.

SCOTUS Immigration » PRELOGAR: Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.

At the Supreme Court yesterday, the Biden administration defended a blocked immigration policy.

The policy would limit whom immigration officers deport, focusing on migrants who pose public safety risks.

Texas and Louisiana sued. They say the policy prevents immigration officers from enforcing federal immigration law.

They also argue that federal law requires immigration officers to deport many more people than the policy allows.

U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar on possible on-the-ground consequences if Texas and Louisiana win.

PRELOGAR: The DHS would be under a judicially enforceable obligation to take enforceable action against whomever it first encounters on the ground.

Prelogar says that obligation would strain government resources.

Oath Keepers » After three days of deliberation, a jury has convicted the leader of the Oath Keepers of seditious conspiracy. WORLD’s Josh Schumacher has more.

JOSH SCHUMACHER, REPORTER: Prosecutors said Stewart Rhodes plotted to wage an armed rebellion to stop the transfer of power from former President Donald Trump to then-President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 6, 2021.

Rhodes did not enter the U.S. Capitol with rioters that day.

The Civil War–era charge of seditious conspiracy carries with it a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Rhodes was tried with four other Oath Keepers—one of whom was convicted with him.

For WORLD, I’m Josh Schumacher

China protest reactions » China is still isolating people in their homes because of COVID-19 long after other countries have lifted their lockdowns.

Protests against the lockdowns sprang up across China over the weekend, but police are now swarming potential protest sites.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio.

RUBIO: What we’re learning is that the people of China are human beings. Human beings don’t like to be locked up they don’t like to be told they can’t go out… for long periods of time by their government.

Right now, some factories are operating in bubbles, where workers live where they work… as China tries to keep its manufacturing going.

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva says China’s zero-COVID policy…

GEORGIEVA: … is tough on people. It is also negatively impacting the Chinese economy through spill-overs to the world economy.

China announced Monday that it would increase vaccination efforts.

World Cup update » The U.S. men’s national soccer team is advancing past the first round of the World Cup for the first time since 2014.

The United States beat Iran yesterday 1-0 after tying England and Wales earlier in group play. President Joe Biden congratulated the team.

BIDEN: That’s a big game, man! When I spoke to the coach and the players, I said you can do this! They went, ahhh. They did it. God love ’em.

The top 16 teams in the tournament are now moving on to bracket-style single elimination. The U.S. men have never won a World Cup, though the women’s national team is the reigning back-to-back champion.

Qatar » A top official involved in organizing the World Cup in Qatar indicated that 10 times more workers may have died during the preparations than the country previously reported.

British journalist Piers Morgan spoke with Qatari official Hassan al-Thawadi in a video he later posted on Twitter. During their interview Morgan asked this question:

MORGAN: What is the honest, realistic total do you think of migrant workers who died from – as a result of work they’re doing for the World Cup in totality?

Here’s al-Thawadi’s answer:

AL-THAWADI: Around 400. Between 400 and 500. I don’t have the exact number. That’s something that’s been discussed.

Qatar had previously reported only 40 worker deaths—37 of which they said had nothing to do with work.

Qatar said later al-Thawadi was referring to the figure for all nationwide work-related deaths during the six years the country was preparing for the World Cup.

Rail strike » Congress is mulling legislation to block a railroad strike as a deadline looms a week and a half out, with contract discussions at a standstill.

Republican Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas.

MARSHALL: I would much prefer us not to intervene, but at the same time for this to shut down will be horrendous for Kansas as well as for Kansas agriculture.

Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders says the railway workers need better treatment.

SANDERS: I think it's incumbent upon Congress to do everything that it can to protect these workers, to make sure that the railroad starts treating them with the respect and the dignity that they deserve.

Eight railroad workers’ unions have already accepted deals that include better pay, but four unions are holding out. All 12 must agree to avoid a strike.

I’m Kristen Flavin. For more news, features, and analysis, visit us at wng.org. 

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