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Today’s top stories
The Supreme Court will hear arguments today in a case that could end the independence of independent agencies and expand presidential power. At issue is whether President Trump can remove Rebecca Slaughter, a Democratic commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission, after the White House emailed in March saying she was being removed because her service didn’t align with the president’s priorities. A lower court agreed Slaughter couldn’t be fired, relying on the 1935 decision Humphrey’s Executor, which limits presidential removal of commissioners to legally specified reasons. The Trump administration says that precedent was wrong. Slaughter says the Constitution doesn’t grant unlimited removal power and that overturning removal protections could destabilize independent agencies created by Congress over the past 90 years.
A Democratic proposal to extend current Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years is set for a Senate vote Thursday. The enhanced subsidies are due to expire at the end of the month. The plan is not expected to get the 60 votes needed to advance. Senate Republicans are split: some back extension, others want income caps and eligibility reforms. House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to release a health-care bill this week and promises a vote this month but isn’t negotiating with Democrats. President Trump has not endorsed ACA tax-credit legislation. Lawmakers warn that without a deal soon, many Americans could face major cost increases next month.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting European leaders in London today as Britain, France and Germany seek a role in peace talks with the U.S. This comes as the Trump administration presses Ukraine to accept a U.S.-backed plan to end Russia’s war; Ukrainian officials say the proposal favors Russia and want changes. The London meeting aims to show Europe’s continued support for Ukraine. Last week, a revised U.S. national security strategy that criticized immigration in Europe and suggested backing far-right parties was praised by the Kremlin, raising concerns among European allies about U.S. alignment.
Cost of living
NPR’s series Cost of Living: The Price We Pay examines what’s driving price increases and how people are coping after years of inflation. While prices for many goods have risen, computers have become cheaper. The entry-level MacBook Pro now starts at $1,599, about $200 less than a comparable model five years ago. Contributing factors include Moore’s Law — the doubling of chip transistors roughly every two years — which has lowered computing costs while increasing power and shrinking size; the spread of chips into many devices, making electronics like large OLED TVs far cheaper than when first introduced; and a reported slowing of Moore’s Law as physical limits make further miniaturization harder.
Listen to why computers have gotten cheaper or read the transcript. Share how higher prices are changing your life via NPR’s Cost of Living form.
Today’s listen
Throughline explores chocolate’s long global history, from pre‑Columbus Americas to a modern medical student’s childhood on a chocolate-producing farm. Listen to the podcast or read the transcript to learn more.
3 things to know before you go
1) A NASA-led study suggests that within the next decade light reflected from the growing number of satellites could compromise over 95% of images captured by some space telescopes.
2) Rafael Ithier, founder of salsa group El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, has died at 99 after more than six decades shaping the ensemble into a leading Latin American institution.
3) In the film Rosemead, Lucy Liu plays an ailing mother who takes drastic measures to protect her troubled teenage son; Liu discussed taboos around mental health in immigrant families with Morning Edition.
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.