::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

  Complaint Alleges Idaho Law Violates the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act   The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit to protect the rights of patients to access emergency medical care guaranteed by federal law. The suit challenges Idaho Code § 18-622 (§ 18-622), which is set to go into effect on Aug. 25 and imposes a near-total ban on abortion. The complaint seeks a declaratory judgment that § 18-622 conflicts with, and is preempted by, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) in situations where an abortion is necessary stabilizing treatment for an emergency medical condition. The United States also seeks an order permanently enjoining the Idaho law to the extent it conflicts with EMTALA. “On the day Roe and Casey were overturned, we promised that the Justice Department would work tirelessly to protect and advance reproductive freedom,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.  “That is what we are doing, and that is what we will c...

  President-elect Biden Announces Key Nominees for Department of Justice  These dedicated public servants and Justice Department veterans will restore the independence and integrity of the Justice Department, renew Americans’ faith in the rule of law, and work tirelessly to build a more equitable justice system WASHINGTON – Today, President-elect Joe Biden announced key nominations for the Department of Justice: Judge Merrick Garland, nominee for Attorney General; Lisa Monaco, nominee for Deputy Attorney General; Vanita Gupta, nominee for Associate Attorney General; and Kristen Clarke, nominee for Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.  These nominees reflect the president-elect’s deeply held commitment to reaffirming the Department of Justice as a pillar of independence and integrity, and ensuring that the Attorney General and his senior leadership team are the American people’s lawyers — not the president’s law firm. These leaders will work with the d...

buzzz worthy. . . Republicans have kept their promise to prevent the Supreme Court appointment of  Obama's top pick, U.S. Circuit Judge Merrick Garland .  While this is not  a surprise, the manner in which the Senate dismissed the Garland nominations is almost unheard of.  There was complete inaction on Garland's nomination  to the post.  No other Supreme Court nominee in 150 years had been completely ignored .  According to New York Magazine, Garland's nomination  was never  confirmed, rejected, nor withdrawn.  It simply wet unacknowledged. The position left vacant by late Justice Antonin Scalia will be filled by President-elect Donald Trump. The appointment period expired Tuesday at noon. Obama tried vigorously to wage his authority against Republican obstructionism , but failed to get the seat confirmed for Garland. Republicans claimed they did not want to confirm a justice during an election year. Cooperation was not expe...