Senate Blocks Transgender Athlete Ban in Voting Bill

The Senate blocked an amendment that would have banned transgender athletes from participating in women's sports during a rare weekend session. The amendment was part of a broader voting bill that also included provisions to ban mail-in voting and impose strict new requirements for voter registration and photo IDs at the polls.

Republicans, who hold 53 seats in the Senate, do not have enough support to jettison the legislative filibuster, which requires a 60-vote threshold to advance most legislation. Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated that Republicans 'haven't made any final decisions about how to conclude this' and aim to ensure a fulsome debate.

President Trump has pressured Congress to act on the voting bill, including the sports ban for transgender athletes. The White House also urged Congress to preempt state AI laws that it views as too burdensome, releasing a legislative blueprint outlining six guiding principles for lawmakers. These principles include protecting children and preventing electricity costs from surging.

The framework calls on Congress to address intellectual-property rights and craft rules 'preventing AI systems from being used to silence or censor lawful political expression or dissent.' Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, stated that the administration wants to work with Congress to convert its framework into a bill that President Donald Trump can sign. Kratsios expressed confidence in generating bipartisan support for the AI policy framework despite a deeply divided Congress.

Meanwhile, federal prosecutors in New York are investigating Colombian President Gustavo Petro for alleged ties to drug traffickers. The investigations did not initially target Petro, but his name has come up during the course of both probes. Prosecutors have been questioning narcotraffickers about their ties to Petro and allegations that his representatives solicited bribes to block extradition.

Petro denied the claims on Friday afternoon, stating 'In Colombia, there is not a single investigation into my relationship with drug traffickers, for one simple reason: I have never in my life spoken with a drug trafficker.' He also claimed that he instructed campaign managers to never accept donations from bankers or drug traffickers. Experts suggest the timing of these investigations could potentially reopen the rift between the US and Colombia.