What's Happening

Politics

President Biden Is Thinking About Pushing for Changes to the Supreme Court

What's going on: News outlets reported yesterday that the president plans to endorse major changes to the Supreme Court in the coming weeks, including term limits for justices and enforceable ethics reforms. The Washington Post, which first reported the story, obtained a transcript of Biden’s call with the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The president said he’s “been working with constitutional scholars for the last three months” to put together a “major initiative” that will limit the court, according to the transcript. Biden is also thinking about asking Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to limit presidential immunity in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this month. In recent years, many liberals have voiced their support for reforming the Supreme Court, whose justices currently serve a lifetime appointment.

What it means: Biden has previously resisted the idea of making major changes to the high court. But amid reelection, the president’s plans could be popular among voters. Pew Research found public opinion of the Supreme Court is at an all-time low, with rulings around LGBTQIA+ rights and affirmative action and the overturn of Roe v. Wade influencing Americans’ views. One poll found that 70% of Americans believe the high court puts ideology over impartiality. Reports of Justice Clarence Thomas accepting lavish trips and gifts and Justice Samuel Alito’s flag controversy certainly aren’t helping SCOTUS’ image. Still, many, if not all, of the changes Biden is considering would probably need congressional approval. The White House has not commented on the reports.

Related: The Democratic National Committee Might Try to Force an Early Roll Call Vote (Axios)

US News

Sen. Bob Menendez Is Found Guilty In Federal Corruption Trial

What's going on: Yesterday, a jury convicted Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) on all 16 federal charges, including bribery, extortion, and acting as a foreign agent. The verdict comes after investigators seized a treasure trove from Menendez’s home, like gold bars and envelopes of cash totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars — you know, the kind of stuff you don’t often find lying around the house. Prosecutors said that Menendez, then-chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had accepted these gifts from the Egyptian and Qatari governments as part of a bribery scheme. Menendez, who also did not win husband of the year for this trial move, is now the seventh sitting US senator to be convicted of a federal crime and faces decades in prison. He’s scheduled to be sentenced in October, a week before Election Day.

What it means: Menendez plans to appeal the verdict. His conviction does not prevent him from completing his term, which expires at the end of the year. With the guilty verdict, there’s a good chance he’ll face an expulsion vote for his current term unless he decides to resign — something lawmakers like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) are calling for. Meanwhile, Menendez is still running for reelection as an independent. His conviction is not a good look for New Jersey Democrats, especially with state powerbroker George Norcross facing his own racketeering charges. It’s also a hit to the party’s national image.

Related: Menendez’s Wife’s Trial Has Been Delayed Indefinitely (NBC)

Health

The Early Bird Might Not Always Get the Worm

What's going on: Early birds love to brag about how much they can get done before the sun comes up. Well, it might be time to give the night owls a round of applause. Scientists in the UK examined data from more than 26,000 people, looking at their intelligence, reasoning, reaction times, and memory to understand how sleep duration and quality affect these abilities. The new research suggests that people who stay up late might have improved cognitive abilities and greater “mental sharpness,” compared to those who go to bed earlier. However, that’s contingent on getting enough sleep — anywhere from seven to nine hours nightly. The study found that any more or less sleep had a “clearly detrimental effect on brain function.”

What it means: The findings don’t necessarily give you a free pass to stay up all night scrolling on TikTok. One expert warns that researchers still need a clearer understanding of what’s happening in the brain and that it’s difficult to determine how being a morning person or a night owl affects memory and thinking, or if it leads to cognitive decline. The study also had its own set of limitations, such as not considering participants’ education levels or the times they took the cognitive tests. One sleep expert said the study’s main benefit is that it challenges some common stereotypes about sleep.

Related: Americans Are Actually Sleeping More Than Ever. Where Do You Fall? (WaPo Gift Link)