GOP bill would prohibit abortion coverage in multi-state health plans
![Anti-abortion legislation in southern states Anti-abortion legislation in southern states](http://library.vu.edu.pk/cgi-bin/nph-proxy.cgi/000100A/http/web.archive.org/web/20120504031229im_/http:/=2fwww.rawstory.com/rs/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Anti-abortion-legislation-in-southern-states-230x105.jpg)
Sixty House Republicans and one House Democrat have sponsored legislation that would block multi-state health plans from offering coverage for elective abortions.
Billy Graham endorses N.C. amendment to ban same sex marriage
![billgraham-commons billgraham-commons](http://library.vu.edu.pk/cgi-bin/nph-proxy.cgi/000100A/http/web.archive.org/web/20120504031229im_/http:/=2fwww.rawstory.com/rs/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/billgraham-commons-230x105.jpg)
Rev. Billy Graham on Wednesday encouraged the residents of North Carolina to vote for Amendment One, a ballot initiative that would define marriage as solely between a man and a women in the state’s constitution.
Pelosi condemns continued raids on pot dispensaries
![House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Photo: Ryan Rodrick Beiler / Shutterstock.com. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Photo: Ryan Rodrick Beiler / Shutterstock.com.](http://library.vu.edu.pk/cgi-bin/nph-proxy.cgi/000100A/http/web.archive.org/web/20120504031229im_/http:/=2fwww.rawstory.com/rs/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pelosi-shutterstock-230x105.jpg)
President Barack Obama’s emphasis on raiding medical marijuana dispensaries drew a rebuke from none other than House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) this week, who warned in a prepared statement that she has “strong concerns” about her political ally’s policy.
Russia threatens attack against U.S. missile shield
![Patriot missiles via AFP Patriot missiles via AFP](http://library.vu.edu.pk/cgi-bin/nph-proxy.cgi/000100A/http/web.archive.org/web/20120504031229im_/http:/=2fwww.rawstory.com/rs/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Patriot-missiles-via-AFP-230x105.jpg)
Russia said Thursday its dispute with the United States over missile defence was near a “dead end” and warned it might have to deploy new rockets in Europe to take out elements of the controversial shield.
Charlotte, New Orleans issue National Day of Reason proclamations
![Statue of Thomas Paine via Shutterstock [Statue of Thomas Paine via Guy Erwood / Shutterstock.com]](http://library.vu.edu.pk/cgi-bin/nph-proxy.cgi/000100A/http/web.archive.org/web/20120504031229im_/http:/=2fwww.rawstory.com/rs/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Statue-of-Thomas-Paine-via-Shutterstock-230x105.jpg)
At least two cities on Thursday recognized the National Day of Reason, a celebration intended to be a secular alternative to the National Day of Prayer.
Report: Tax breaks can reduce economic growth
![ms_moneybag Ms. Moneybags photo via Shutterstock.](http://library.vu.edu.pk/cgi-bin/nph-proxy.cgi/000100A/http/web.archive.org/web/20120504031229im_/http:/=2fwww.rawstory.com/rs/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ms_moneybag-230x105.jpg)
Cutting taxes is not an effective way to increase economic growth, according to a report released Thursday by The Hamilton Project.