What's Happening

Politics

A Vote to Protect Contraception Failed in the Senate

What's going on: Yesterday, GOP senators voted 51-39 to block the Right to Contraception Act, which would guarantee access to birth control nationwide. The measure fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance in the upper chamber. Democrats first introduced the legislation after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, warning that conservatives would next restrict access to birth control. Republicans called the measure a partisan stunt and said it wasn’t necessary since contraception is already legal.

What it means: Democrats got Republicans’ vote against birth control on the record. It comes as one survey found that about 20% of Americans believe access to birth control is under threat. Post-Roe, conservative states like Tennessee and Virginia have blocked efforts to protect access to contraception. Ahead of the election, Democrats will push more reproductive health care bills, including a package to protect in vitro fertilization.

Related: Senators Likely Came Face-to-Face With a Giant Inflatable IUD Ahead of Vote (CBS)

US News

Report: Israel Used Fake Social Media Accounts To Influence US Lawmakers

What's going on: Yesterday, the New York Times reported that Israel allocated $2 million to target US lawmakers with pro-Israel comments through hundreds of fake accounts on X, Facebook, and Instagram. The NYT says the campaign started in October, targeting Black and Democratic lawmakers — like House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) — and urging them to keep funding Israel’s military. The report said Israel used OpenAI’s ChatGPT to generate most of the posts and that some accounts are still active on X. Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs denied involvement in the campaign.

What it means: The operation could mark the first documented case of the Israeli government organizing a campaign to influence the US government. Meta and OpenAI said Israel's campaign didn't appear to have a large impact, with the fake accounts failing to gather a large following. Still, the report puts a spotlight on the alleged efforts Israel has taken to maintain US support. A recent poll shows 55% of Americans disapprove of Israel’s actions, as Palestinian deaths continue to climb in Gaza.

Related: Dozens Reported Killed in Israeli Strike on UN School in Gaza (CBS)

Business

Smile, You’re On (Body) Camera at TJ Maxx and Marshalls

What's going on: The parent company of fan favorites TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods said it’s giving its security workers body cameras in hopes of deterring shoplifters. TJX isn't alone: The National Retail Federation said 35% of US retailers have been looking into using body cameras. This comes as the NRF reports lost inventory, including theft, totaled more than $112 billion in industry losses in 2022.

What it means: This is the latest move by retailers to ramp up security measures — they've already started putting certain products under lock and key and removing self-checkout stations. But experts reportedly say that body cameras may do little to deter shoplifting, and that companies should consider investing in training and better staffing their stores.

Related: These Are Some of the Most Stolen Retail Items (Business Insider)