To the Point
The Voting Rights Act and the Supreme Court
As predicted, conservatives on the US Supreme Court today took aim at Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. We hear the arguments and what the justices had to say.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenAs predicted, conservatives on the US Supreme Court today took sharp aim at Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Is it out of date, or still necessary in the era of voter ID and targeted reapportionment? We hear the arguments and what the justices had to say. Also, budget talks will resume after deep cuts take effect, and how Americans have been hooked by the food industry on salt, sugar and fat.
Banner image: US Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) (L) speaks at a voter's rights rally in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington February 27, 2013. Photo by Gary Cameron/Reuters
In this episode
3 storiesBudget Talks Will Resume after Deep Cuts Take Effect
President Obama has spent the week warning Americans about the consequences of "sequester." Now he's invited the top leaders of both parties in both houses of Congress to visit the White House — but not until Friday, when $85 billion in budget cuts are scheduled to go into effect. Rachel Smolkin is Deputy Managing Editor of Politico .
Read the story8 minThe Voting Rights Act Gets Another Day in Court
Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act covers all of nine states and localities in seven others whose histories of racial discrimination in voting led Congress to require them to get federal permission whenever they change voting laws.
Read the story35 minSalt, Sugar, Fat and Stomach Share
In 1999, the heads of 11 major food companies met to discuss America's growing weight problem. Should they change their formulas to prevent increased obesity? The answer was, "no," and since then, they've gone on to develop sophisticated new ways of getting more customers -- including children -- to eat more and more.
Read the story9 min
