AP Top Political News at 7:30 p.m. EST

Biden signs executive order on climate change

President Biden signed an executive order on climate change today, setting ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in clean energy. The order directs federal agencies to take a number of actions to address climate change, including:

• Setting a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030.
• Investing $2 trillion in clean energy and infrastructure over the next four years.
• Creating a new Office of Climate Change within the White House.
• Rejoining the Paris Agreement.

Senate confirms Merrick Garland as Attorney General

The Senate confirmed Merrick Garland as Attorney General today by a vote of 70-30. Garland, a former federal judge, is a moderate who has pledged to restore independence to the Justice Department. He is expected to prioritize civil rights, voting rights, and environmental protection.

House passes bill to expand voting rights

The House of Representatives passed a bill today to expand voting rights by a vote of 220-210. The bill, known as the For the People Act, would make it easier for people to register to vote, vote by mail, and vote early. It would also create a new independent redistricting commission to draw congressional districts.

Supreme Court to hear case on affirmative action

The Supreme Court announced today that it will hear a case on affirmative action in college admissions. The case, Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina, challenges the use of race as a factor in college admissions. The Court will hear oral arguments in the case in the fall.

Biden administration to lift travel ban on majority-Muslim countries

The Biden administration announced today that it will lift the travel ban on majority-Muslim countries that was imposed by the Trump administration. The ban, which was challenged in court, prevented citizens of several countries from traveling to the United States. The Biden administration said that the ban was discriminatory and ineffective.