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| Democrats' $15 minimum wage rise under threat after Senate’s parliamentarian ruling – live updates | Democrats' $15 minimum wage rise under threat after Senate’s parliamentarian ruling – live updates |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Elizabeth MacDonough rules that Federal minimum wage rise cannot be part of Covid recovery bill going through Senate | Elizabeth MacDonough rules that Federal minimum wage rise cannot be part of Covid recovery bill going through Senate |
| Republican lawmakers have been vocal about their opposition to Joe Biden’s coronavirus relief bill, particularly to Democrats’ inclusion of a provision that would raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour – now stymied by progessing in its current form by the judgement of Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough. | |
| Two sets of Republicans from opposite sides of their party have now introduced bills that show what they believe are more palatable policies that address criticism of America’s current minimum wage. | |
| In keeping with the party’s deep division between its dominant Trumpist faction and its more traditionalist party elites, the twin responses seem aimed at appealing on one hand to its corporate-friendly allies and on the other hand to its populist rightwing base. Both have an anti-immigrant element. | |
| Senators Mitt Romney and Tom Cotton unveiled on Tuesday a proposal for a $10 federal minimum wage, to be implemented over the course of four years with a slower, phased approach for small businesses. Their bill also requires employers to use the federal government’s E-Verify program to ensure they are not hiring undocumented workers. | |
| Meanwhile, the far-right Republican senator Josh Hawley of Missouri released his alternative to an increase in the minimum wage: a tax credit for those who make less than $16.50 an hour. The credit would be applied based on the number of hours a person worked and would be available only to those with an American social security number, barring non-US citizens and undocumented workers. A full-time worker could get up to $4,680 in tax credits a year, according to the bill. | |
| Read more of Lauren Aratani’s report here: Republicans unveil two minimum wage bills in response to Democrats’ push | |
| A quick snap from Reuters here with some Russian reaction to that US strike in Syria. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said this morning that the US gave Russia several minutes of advance warning before it carried out a strike in Syria, a timeframe he described as inadequate, the RIA news agency reported. | |
| Lavrov also called on the US to renew contacts with Moscow over Syria to clarify president Joe Biden’s position on Syria, the Interfax news agency reported. | |
| The sub-plot of this years CPAC is how it reveals what Donald Trump and the Trumpist wing of the Republican party have in store for the next couple of years. Mitch McConnell, Mitt Romney, Mike Pence, Liz Cheney and Niki Haley are notably among senior Republicans who are not there. Overnight Alex Isenstadt had more details on Trump’s post-presidency plans for Politico: | |
| Read more here: Politico – Trump shares plans for new super PAC in Mar-a-Lago meeting | |
| The Georgia prosecutor investigating potential efforts by Donald Trump and others to influence last year’s general election has a message for people who are eager to see whether the former president will be charged: Be patient. | The Georgia prosecutor investigating potential efforts by Donald Trump and others to influence last year’s general election has a message for people who are eager to see whether the former president will be charged: Be patient. |
| “I’m in no rush,” Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said this week in an interview with the Associated Press. “I think people think that I feel this immense pressure. I don’t.” | “I’m in no rush,” Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said this week in an interview with the Associated Press. “I think people think that I feel this immense pressure. I don’t.” |
| Willis, a Democrat elected in November, sent letters to state officials on 10 February instructing them to preserve records related to the election, particularly those that may contain evidence of attempts to influence elections officials. But she said this week that she’s not sure where the investigation will go or how long it will take. | Willis, a Democrat elected in November, sent letters to state officials on 10 February instructing them to preserve records related to the election, particularly those that may contain evidence of attempts to influence elections officials. But she said this week that she’s not sure where the investigation will go or how long it will take. |
| Her office confirmed that the probe includes a call in which Trump urged Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find” enough votes to overturn Joe Biden’s win in the state. Willis also said she has questions about a call US Sen Lindsey Graham made to Raffensperger, the sudden departure of a top federal prosecutor and statements made before Georgia legislative committees. | Her office confirmed that the probe includes a call in which Trump urged Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find” enough votes to overturn Joe Biden’s win in the state. Willis also said she has questions about a call US Sen Lindsey Graham made to Raffensperger, the sudden departure of a top federal prosecutor and statements made before Georgia legislative committees. |
| Kate Brumback reports for the Associated Press that Democrats and a few Republicans have condemned Trump’s call to Raffensperger, with some critics saying the recording is proof of criminal election interference. State and federal officials have repeatedly said the election was secure and that there was no evidence of systemic fraud. | Kate Brumback reports for the Associated Press that Democrats and a few Republicans have condemned Trump’s call to Raffensperger, with some critics saying the recording is proof of criminal election interference. State and federal officials have repeatedly said the election was secure and that there was no evidence of systemic fraud. |
| Willis wrote in the letters to state officials that her office had opened a criminal investigation into “potential violations of Georgia law prohibiting the solicitation of election fraud, the making of false statements to state and local government bodies, conspiracy, racketeering, violation of oath of office and any involvement in violence or threats related to the election’s administration.” | Willis wrote in the letters to state officials that her office had opened a criminal investigation into “potential violations of Georgia law prohibiting the solicitation of election fraud, the making of false statements to state and local government bodies, conspiracy, racketeering, violation of oath of office and any involvement in violence or threats related to the election’s administration.” |
| After a coronavirus-related pause, two grand juries are to be seated next week, which will allow prosecutors to seek subpoenas. | After a coronavirus-related pause, two grand juries are to be seated next week, which will allow prosecutors to seek subpoenas. |
| Following the November general election, Trump refused to accept his loss by about 12,000 votes in Georgia. He and his allies made unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud and hurled insults at Raffensperger, Gov Brian Kemp and Lt Gov Geoff Duncan – all fellow Republicans – for not acting to overturn his loss. | Following the November general election, Trump refused to accept his loss by about 12,000 votes in Georgia. He and his allies made unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud and hurled insults at Raffensperger, Gov Brian Kemp and Lt Gov Geoff Duncan – all fellow Republicans – for not acting to overturn his loss. |
| During the call with Raffensperger, Trump also appeared to suggest that Byung J Pak, the Trump-appointed US attorney in Atlanta, was a “never-Trumper” a term often used for conservative critics of Trump. Pak abruptly announced his resignation the day after the call became public. He’s never publicly explained his departure. | During the call with Raffensperger, Trump also appeared to suggest that Byung J Pak, the Trump-appointed US attorney in Atlanta, was a “never-Trumper” a term often used for conservative critics of Trump. Pak abruptly announced his resignation the day after the call became public. He’s never publicly explained his departure. |
| “I find it particularly peculiar the way that he left and when he left,” Willis said of Pak. “It’s something that, to do my job correctly, I have to ask questions about. That’s just logical.” | “I find it particularly peculiar the way that he left and when he left,” Willis said of Pak. “It’s something that, to do my job correctly, I have to ask questions about. That’s just logical.” |
| Civil rights group the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has argued thats its suing of Donald Trump using the Ku Klux Klan Act – a historic law enacted to combat white supremacy – is in order to hold the former president accountable to Black voters that his Republican administration sought to invalidate. | Civil rights group the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has argued thats its suing of Donald Trump using the Ku Klux Klan Act – a historic law enacted to combat white supremacy – is in order to hold the former president accountable to Black voters that his Republican administration sought to invalidate. |
| The lawsuit alleges Trump and his attorney Rudy Giuliani sought to undermine the will of American voters by orchestrating a “series of events that unfolded [with] the Save America rally and the storming of the Capitol” on 6 January in events that shocked the world. | The lawsuit alleges Trump and his attorney Rudy Giuliani sought to undermine the will of American voters by orchestrating a “series of events that unfolded [with] the Save America rally and the storming of the Capitol” on 6 January in events that shocked the world. |
| “We could not stand by and not pursue a course of action to hold those accountable for their treasonous acts,” Derrick Johnson, president, told the Guardian in an interview, noting the act was designed for “the very incident the world witnessed on 6 January”. | “We could not stand by and not pursue a course of action to hold those accountable for their treasonous acts,” Derrick Johnson, president, told the Guardian in an interview, noting the act was designed for “the very incident the world witnessed on 6 January”. |
| Opponents have argued the twice-impeached Trump and his associates are still subject to civil and criminal penalties, including the Republican minority leader, Mitch McConnell,who blamed Trump for the insurrection in a speech on the Senate floor shortly after voting to acquit him at his impeachment trial. | Opponents have argued the twice-impeached Trump and his associates are still subject to civil and criminal penalties, including the Republican minority leader, Mitch McConnell,who blamed Trump for the insurrection in a speech on the Senate floor shortly after voting to acquit him at his impeachment trial. |
| Accusing 43 Republicans senators who acquitted Trump of putting “partisanship over the constitution”, Johnson notes that in the past some civil judgements have still bankrupted hate groups or forced them and enablers to shut down. | Accusing 43 Republicans senators who acquitted Trump of putting “partisanship over the constitution”, Johnson notes that in the past some civil judgements have still bankrupted hate groups or forced them and enablers to shut down. |
| Passed in 1871, the KKK Act originally sought to prevent violence and intimidation that members of Congress were subjected to carrying out their constitutional duties throughout the south during the Reconstruction era. | Passed in 1871, the KKK Act originally sought to prevent violence and intimidation that members of Congress were subjected to carrying out their constitutional duties throughout the south during the Reconstruction era. |
| The NAACP is representing the Mississippi congressman Bennie Thompson in the suit but confirmed they expect more members to join. Founded in 1909, the group argues the KKK Act was designed to protect against election conspiracies peddled by Republicans. | The NAACP is representing the Mississippi congressman Bennie Thompson in the suit but confirmed they expect more members to join. Founded in 1909, the group argues the KKK Act was designed to protect against election conspiracies peddled by Republicans. |
| “We settled these disagreements at the ballot box, but the former administration and Giuliani sought to disqualify our votes,” Johnson said, accusing Trump of “operating under a white supremacist doctrine that was a derived from days of the Confederacy”. | “We settled these disagreements at the ballot box, but the former administration and Giuliani sought to disqualify our votes,” Johnson said, accusing Trump of “operating under a white supremacist doctrine that was a derived from days of the Confederacy”. |
| Read more of Kenya Evelyn’s report here: We’re suing to hold Trump accountable for ‘treasonous acts’, NAACP chief says | Read more of Kenya Evelyn’s report here: We’re suing to hold Trump accountable for ‘treasonous acts’, NAACP chief says |
| Here’s a bit more detail on Joe Biden’s schedule for today in Houston, by the way. As well as making remarks while visiting the FEMA vaccination facility at the NRG Park, the president will also visit the Harris County Emergency Operations Center. | Here’s a bit more detail on Joe Biden’s schedule for today in Houston, by the way. As well as making remarks while visiting the FEMA vaccination facility at the NRG Park, the president will also visit the Harris County Emergency Operations Center. |
| He’ll join his wife Dr Jill Biden at the Houston Food Bank where they will meet volunteers. They leave Houston in the evening and should be back at the White House by 10pm EST. | He’ll join his wife Dr Jill Biden at the Houston Food Bank where they will meet volunteers. They leave Houston in the evening and should be back at the White House by 10pm EST. |
| Not unexpectedly, the news that the US has carried out airstrikes against Iran-backed militia in Syria has also exposed division within the Democrats. It was the first specific military action authorised by president Joe Biden as commander-in-chief. | Not unexpectedly, the news that the US has carried out airstrikes against Iran-backed militia in Syria has also exposed division within the Democrats. It was the first specific military action authorised by president Joe Biden as commander-in-chief. |
| The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a US service member and other coalition troops. | The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a US service member and other coalition troops. |
| “This proportionate military response was conducted together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners,” the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, John Kirby, said in announcing the strikes. | “This proportionate military response was conducted together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners,” the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, John Kirby, said in announcing the strikes. |
| “The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to deescalate the overall situation in eastern Syria and Iraq.” | “The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to deescalate the overall situation in eastern Syria and Iraq.” |
| Kirby also said the US airstrikes “destroyed multiple facilities at a border control point used by a number of Iranian- backed militant groups”. | Kirby also said the US airstrikes “destroyed multiple facilities at a border control point used by a number of Iranian- backed militant groups”. |
| Rep Steny Hoyer, the Democrats’ leader in the House, welcomed the action as a demonstration of Joe Biden’s “resolve to prevent Iran from targeting America’s personnel and allies with impunity.” | Rep Steny Hoyer, the Democrats’ leader in the House, welcomed the action as a demonstration of Joe Biden’s “resolve to prevent Iran from targeting America’s personnel and allies with impunity.” |
| His colleague Rep Ilhan Omar was less impressed. She quote-tweeted White House press secretary Jen Psaki from 2017 asking what legal authority the Trump administration had for carrying out strikes within Syria, a sovereign country that the US is not at war with. “Great question” Omar pointed out. | His colleague Rep Ilhan Omar was less impressed. She quote-tweeted White House press secretary Jen Psaki from 2017 asking what legal authority the Trump administration had for carrying out strikes within Syria, a sovereign country that the US is not at war with. “Great question” Omar pointed out. |
| If Senate Democrats can’t find a path forward to get the wage increase enacted – one option might be to pair it with tax penalties for companies not paying the wage, which might then overcome the ruling – it will set up a clash with the progressive side of the party, which was already very vocal about the developments last night. | If Senate Democrats can’t find a path forward to get the wage increase enacted – one option might be to pair it with tax penalties for companies not paying the wage, which might then overcome the ruling – it will set up a clash with the progressive side of the party, which was already very vocal about the developments last night. |
| Washington Rep Pramila Jayapal, who leads the Democrats’ progessive caucus in the House, said that “the advisory opinion” of an “unelected parliamentarian” should not be allowed to stand in the way of the policy. | Washington Rep Pramila Jayapal, who leads the Democrats’ progessive caucus in the House, said that “the advisory opinion” of an “unelected parliamentarian” should not be allowed to stand in the way of the policy. |
| Progressives in the House also used their voice last night to describe the existing level as a “starvation wage” and called for Senate reform. | Progressives in the House also used their voice last night to describe the existing level as a “starvation wage” and called for Senate reform. |
| Sen Chris Murphy from Connecticut chipped in to say that “The filibuster is killing democracy.” | Sen Chris Murphy from Connecticut chipped in to say that “The filibuster is killing democracy.” |
| Democrats currently have the presidency, control of the House, and the casting vote in the Senate, but are unable to move forward with some of their policies because the filibuster mechanism means Republicans in the Senate can endlessly hold up legislation. The Senate is split 50-50, but the Democratic half represents some 41.5m more people than the Republican half. | Democrats currently have the presidency, control of the House, and the casting vote in the Senate, but are unable to move forward with some of their policies because the filibuster mechanism means Republicans in the Senate can endlessly hold up legislation. The Senate is split 50-50, but the Democratic half represents some 41.5m more people than the Republican half. |
| Getting the federal minimum wage raised to $15 per hour from its current level of $7.25 an hour has been a key policy goal for progressive Democrats. It has hit an obstacle in the Senate. As Erica Werner writes for the Washington Post: | Getting the federal minimum wage raised to $15 per hour from its current level of $7.25 an hour has been a key policy goal for progressive Democrats. It has hit an obstacle in the Senate. As Erica Werner writes for the Washington Post: |
| Schumer himself described the decision as disappointing, saying “We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families. The American people deserve it, and we are committed to making it a reality.” | Schumer himself described the decision as disappointing, saying “We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families. The American people deserve it, and we are committed to making it a reality.” |
| The White House was less bullish on the matter. A statement from White House press secretary Jen Psaki last night said that Joe Biden “respects the parliamentarian’s decision and the Senate’s process.” | The White House was less bullish on the matter. A statement from White House press secretary Jen Psaki last night said that Joe Biden “respects the parliamentarian’s decision and the Senate’s process.” |
| She added “He will work with leaders in Congress to determine the best path forward, because no one in this country should work full time and live in poverty. He urges Congress to move quickly to pass the American Rescue Plan.” | She added “He will work with leaders in Congress to determine the best path forward, because no one in this country should work full time and live in poverty. He urges Congress to move quickly to pass the American Rescue Plan.” |
| Hi, and welcome to our live coverage of what is set to be a busy day of US politics, with quite a lot in the diary. Here’s a quick catch-up on where we are, and what we expect to see. | Hi, and welcome to our live coverage of what is set to be a busy day of US politics, with quite a lot in the diary. Here’s a quick catch-up on where we are, and what we expect to see. |
| The House will vote on the Covid rescue plan today – the $1.9 trillion package is a centrepiece of the Biden administration’s plan for US economic recovery. | The House will vote on the Covid rescue plan today – the $1.9 trillion package is a centrepiece of the Biden administration’s plan for US economic recovery. |
| But it has already hit a hurdle in the Senate, where parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, a little-known non-partisan figure, has ruled that a measure to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour cannot be part of it. | But it has already hit a hurdle in the Senate, where parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, a little-known non-partisan figure, has ruled that a measure to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour cannot be part of it. |
| Biden said that 50 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been administered across the US since he took office, outpacing his administration’s goal to distribute 100m shots in his first 100 days in office. He said it is ‘weeks ahead of schedule’ and ‘the more people get vaccinated, the faster we’ll beat this’. | Biden said that 50 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been administered across the US since he took office, outpacing his administration’s goal to distribute 100m shots in his first 100 days in office. He said it is ‘weeks ahead of schedule’ and ‘the more people get vaccinated, the faster we’ll beat this’. |
| An FDA panel will meet later today to discuss emergency authorisation of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. | An FDA panel will meet later today to discuss emergency authorisation of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. |
| Joe Biden spoke with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, ahead of the publication of a US intelligence report expected to implicate the Saudi crown prince in the 2018 murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. | Joe Biden spoke with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, ahead of the publication of a US intelligence report expected to implicate the Saudi crown prince in the 2018 murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. |
| Yesterday, the House passed a sweeping LGBTQ+ rights bill. It amends the 1964 Civil Rights Act, but faces an uncertain future in the Senate. | Yesterday, the House passed a sweeping LGBTQ+ rights bill. It amends the 1964 Civil Rights Act, but faces an uncertain future in the Senate. |
| The US carried out airstrikes against Iran-backed militia in Syria, which it said came after a series of attacks against US targets in Iraq. | The US carried out airstrikes against Iran-backed militia in Syria, which it said came after a series of attacks against US targets in Iraq. |
| Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley and Donald Trump Jr are the main attractions at CPAC, which gets underway in Florida in earnest today. | Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley and Donald Trump Jr are the main attractions at CPAC, which gets underway in Florida in earnest today. |
| The president and first lady Dr Jill Biden are in Houston, Texas today. They will visit the FEMA Covid-19 vaccination facility at NRG Stadium. Biden will speak at 6.00pm EST (2300 GMT). | The president and first lady Dr Jill Biden are in Houston, Texas today. They will visit the FEMA Covid-19 vaccination facility at NRG Stadium. Biden will speak at 6.00pm EST (2300 GMT). |
| There’s also a Covid briefing in the White House at 11am, and Jen Psaki will speak to the press aboard Air Force One en route to Texas. | There’s also a Covid briefing in the White House at 11am, and Jen Psaki will speak to the press aboard Air Force One en route to Texas. |