Utah lawmakers join criticism of WNBA's stance on transgender athletes SALT LAKE CITY — The national debate over transgender athletes in sports has shifted to the professional level in recent years, with Utah lawmakers now joining a growing chorus of conservatives criticizing the WNBA’s policies. This summer, the focus has centered on the league’s approach to gender identity in athletics, particularly after Utah Senator Mike Lee and Representative Burgess Owens publicly supported Enes Kanter Freedom, a former NBA player who was ejected from a WNBA game for wearing a shirt that read “WOMAN noun. adult human female.” The controversy gained traction following a July profile of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham by ESPN, in which Cunningham expressed concerns about protecting “young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.” Cunningham clarified that her comments were not about hating transgender individuals but about safeguarding women’s sports. “I want to protect young girls in a locker room,” she said, adding that she believes “biological men” should not compete against women in women’s sports. Kanter Freedom, a former Utah Jazz player who was waived by the Boston Celtics in 2022, was removed from a game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever after a confrontation with Chicago point guard Natasha Cloud. The incident sparked widespread attention, with Kanter Freedom posting on social media, “I just got kicked out of a @WNBA game for supporting WOMEN!” Lee, a prominent conservative voice, responded by defending Kanter Freedom’s stance, writing on X, “Wearing this shirt isn’t ‘harassing’ anyone,” and sharing a photo of the player. Lee and Owens have been vocal critics of the WNBA since early this month, with Owens labeling the league “WOKE” and calling for a boycott.#mike_lee #utah #wnba #sophie_cunningham #burgess_owens
Republicans brace for Trump SAVE Act showdown Sens. Mike Lee and Rick Scott have scheduled a potentially contentious lunch with President Trump and Senate Republicans, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over the SAVE America Act. The meeting, set for Wednesday, comes after months of pressure from Lee and Scott on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to advance the legislation. The SAVE Act, which mandates voter ID requirements, proof of citizenship, and stricter mail-in voting restrictions, has become a central issue in the Republican Party's strategy for the upcoming midterm elections. However, Thune has remained resolute in his opposition, arguing that the bill lacks sufficient support within the Senate. Thune emphasized that the SAVE Act faces significant hurdles, stating, "There are not the votes to nuke the filibuster, and there aren't going to be 10 Democrat votes to all of a sudden support the SAVE America Act." His comments reflect the broader skepticism among Senate Republicans about the feasibility of passing the bill, particularly given the party's divided stance on voting reforms. The SAVE Act's provisions, which aim to curb voter access, have drawn criticism from moderate and centrist members of the party, who argue that the measures could alienate voters and undermine the party's electoral prospects. The tension within the Senate GOP leadership has intensified as conservative senators like Lee and Scott push for aggressive procedural tactics to force the bill's passage. Scott, who chairs the conservative Senate GOP Steering Committee, extended an invitation to Trump for the weekly lunch, a move that Thune humorously dismissed as unconsulted. "Well, he told me he did it," Thune remarked, highlighting the informal and sometimes contentious dynamics within the party.#trump #save_america_act #john_thune #mike_lee #rick_scott
Trump may waive the Jones Act for oil shipments. Repeal it instead. The recent escalation of conflict in Iran has led to a surge in energy costs, with oil and gas prices climbing sharply since President Donald Trump aligned with Israel’s military actions. Now, Trump is reportedly considering a temporary measure to address the crisis: suspending enforcement of the Jones Act, a U.S. law that restricts shipping between American ports to vessels built, owned, and crewed by U.S. entities. While this could offer short-term relief, critics argue that repealing the law entirely would be a more effective long-term solution to curb rising energy prices. The Jones Act, formally known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, mandates that goods transported between U.S. ports must be carried by ships meeting strict criteria: built in the U.S., owned by American companies, and operated by U.S. crews. This requirement has created a bottleneck in the oil industry, particularly for Alaska’s crude, which can only be shipped to the mainland via a limited number of vessels. The result is higher transportation costs, which contribute to elevated energy prices for American consumers. The war’s impact on global oil markets has been stark. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for about 20% of the world’s oil, has seen disruptions, driving up prices. Brent crude, the international benchmark, briefly spiked to $119.50 per barrel in early March—its highest level since the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war. While prices later stabilized, analysts warn that oil costs will remain a pressing concern. Trump’s potential waiver of the Jones Act is not unprecedented. Presidents have historically used temporary exemptions during crises, such as Hurricane Maria in 2017, when Trump waived the law for Puerto Rico for 10 days.#donald_trump #strait_of_hormuz #iran_conflict #jones_act #mike_lee
