What we’re reading: Romney sides with Republicans on Supreme Court vote, tropical storm brings dangerous floods to Texas

By Cole Marchi

Published Sep 23, 2020

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, leaves the Senate Chamber following a vote, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Romney is one of four Republicans who could oppose a vote on a replacement for the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg prior to Election Day. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Mitt Romney sides with Republicans on Supreme Court

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said he supports a vote for President Trump’s nominee to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg, according to Politico.

Romney was considered a potential Republican swing vote with Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine in voting against replacing the seat before the election.

Romney believes the court needs to reflect the dynamic of the country, saying it’s “appropriate for a nation that is center-right to have a court which reflects center-right points of view.”

President Trump said he is going to announce his nominee on Saturday. Amy Coney Barrett and Barbara Lagoa are viewed as the top contenders.

Tropical Storm Beta hits Texas

A Houston Police Water Rescue vehicle mobilizes by a stranded by flood car on Houston Ave., during Tropical Storm Beta, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, in Houston. Beta has weakened to a tropical depression as it parked itself over the Texas coast, raising concerns of extensive flooding in Houston and areas further inland. (Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Tropical Storm Beta hit South Texas on Monday night, bringing severe rainstorms and flash floods, according to ABC News.

Houston received a foot of rain, which is rising at two inches per hour. Nearly 100 water evacuations have been conducted already, and authorities are encouraging people to stay off the roads.

“Your sedan is not a submarine. Your minivan isn’t magical. Stay off the road,” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said.

The rain is expected to lighten up in Houston as of Wednesday morning as the storm moves toward Louisiana and Mississippi.

House of Representatives approves spending bill

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

The House of Representatives approved a government spending bill Tuesday in hopes of avoiding a government shutdown, according to USA Today.

“We have reached an agreement with Republicans on the CR to add nearly $8 billion in desperately needed nutrition assistance for hungry schoolchildren and families,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

House Republicans were upset with the lack of aid for farmers in the original bill. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa called it “hogwash.” Pelosi and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin were able to eventually reach a bipartisan agreement.

The bill gives $8 billion in increased spending to food-assistance programs and billions for the Commodity Credit Corporation, a borrowing program for farmers.

CDC warns against door-to-door trick-or-treating

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said trick-or-treating is a high-risk activity this year, according to CBS News.

Los Angeles County originally banned traditional trick-or-treating, but swiftly changed its mind to making it just a suggestion. Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York also chose not to ban trick-or-treating.

The CDC suggests people participate in one-way trick-or-treating where homeowners make goodie bags to place in their driveway, enabling a contact-free pick up. The CDC also recommends outdoor, one-way haunted forests as opposed to indoor haunted houses.

The CDC also said costume masks are not acceptable substitutes for regular masks unless they are made of “two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers your mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around your face.”