The Good, the Bad & the Ugly

Today’s Top News

For a Thursday in the middle of July, it’s been a busy day. Here’s the good, the bad, and the ugly in today’s goings on.

The Good

• Civil rights champion Tom Perez was confirmed to head the Department of Labor.
• Career civil servant and clean air and water champion Gina McCarthy was confirmed to head the Environmental Protection Agency.
• House Republicans caved in their fight against marriage equality.
• New report finds that Obamacare premiums will be even lower than expected.
• Nelson Mandela celebrated his 95th birthday.
• Senators agreed to a compromise plan to lower student loan interest rates.
• A judge issues order keeping some Wisconsin abortion clinics open, for now.

• The GOP says to give suspected terrorists guns, not trials.
• Bill O’Reilly: “I don’t buy” that LGBT people have the right to marry.
• Hours after Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) signed a draconian anti-abortion law, Planned Parenthood announces it will close three abortion clinics.
• House Republicans are advancing terrible education bills.
• Climate change is fueling a rise in deadly diseases.
• The lead paint industry has been knowingly poisoning generations of children.