What's Happening

US News

Southern Baptists Voted to Oppose IVF

What's going on: Yesterday, more than 10,000 delegates at the Southern Baptist Convention approved a resolution condemning the use of in vitro fertilization. The measure says the fertility treatment “most often engages in the destruction of embryonic human life.” During the IVF process, a couple will typically choose to create multiple embryos in order to improve the chances of a successful implantation. The unused embryos are then frozen, destroyed, or donated to medical research. The resolution is not a ban and will have no binding impact on families in Southern Baptist churches who are considering fertility treatments. Still, it calls on church members to advocate for the government to “restrain” the use of IVF.

What it means: The resolution on IVF could signal the anti-abortion movement's next fight after Roe v. Wade. After the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in February that frozen embryos are considered children, IVF has become a flashpoint in the battle over reproductive rights. Republicans have been struggling to address the issue, not wanting to alienate their base or more moderate voters ahead of the November election. However, the Southern Baptist Church has nearly 13 million members in the US, making it a powerful voting bloc. It could up the pressure on Republicans to act. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are expected to force a vote today on a bill that would codify the right to fertility treatments, including IVF.

Related: Red-State Christian Women Are Some of the Loudest Advocates for IVF (WaPo Gift Link)

Politics

North Dakota Became the First State to Approve Age Limits for Lawmakers

What's going on: Earlier this week, North Dakota voters backed a state constitutional amendment that blocks congressional candidates from running for office if they turn 81 years old during their term. North Dakota’s measure is believed to be the first of its kind. The new restriction does not affect any members of the state’s current congressional delegation. Still, the amendment is likely to face legal challenges. That’s because the Supreme Court ruled in 1995 that states can’t add eligibility requirements beyond what’s already in the Constitution.

What it means: The vote offers a rare glimpse into how some Americans feel about older politicians running for office. It comes as one poll found that about 60% of Americans think both President Biden and former President Trump are too old to run for office. Biden, who is 81 years old, already holds the title for being the oldest US president in history. Trump turns 78 years old tomorrow. Both have also had public verbal gaffes that have put their ability to run for office into question.

Related: Why Are More Gen Z Candidates Running For Office? (USA Today)

Tech

Can You Guess Where Tech Billionaires Want To Build a New City?

What's going on: This fall, voters in Northern California will make or break Silicon Valley billionaires’ dreams of building a new city north of San Francisco. Earlier this week, state election officials said that a proposal to build a city for up to 400,000 people got the required number of signatures to go on the November ballot. The brains behind the project, which includes a former Goldman Sachs trader, say the city could help combat the state’s housing crisis. But the plan has sparked outrage among locals who say farmers have been forced to sell their land for the project.

What it means: It’s up to California Forever, the company leading the initiative, to convince voters to green-light a plan that is likely to put more money in billionaires' pockets. Solano County voters will be asked whether they approve of the new development on land that’s currently zoned for agriculture. A recent poll found that 70% of people would vote “no” if elections were held today. In attempts to prove its good intentions, California Forever has said it would set aside $400 million to help residents buy homes within the new community and guarantee 15,000 jobs with a minimum $88,000 yearly salary. One California lawmaker said he likes the idea in theory but that it requires “sound public policy” not “lavish promises that may never be realized.”

Related: This List Clears Up Who's Actually a Self-Made Billionaire (Forbes)