This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2021/feb/26/joe-biden-democrats-covid-coronavirus-vaccine-minimum-wage-cpac-donald-trump-live-updates

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 20 Version 21
Report finds Saudi crown prince approved killing of Jamal Khashoggi – live Report finds Saudi crown prince approved killing of Jamal Khashoggi – live
(32 minutes later)
Report released by Office of the Director of National Intelligence says Mohammed bin Salman approved killing of Washington Post columnistReport released by Office of the Director of National Intelligence says Mohammed bin Salman approved killing of Washington Post columnist
Good afternoon. It’s been a busy Friday in Washington and around the country.
The DNI released its long-anticipated report directly implicating the Saudi prince in the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi. However, the administration stopped short of punishing the the crown prince.
Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, visited storm-battered Houston on Friday, where they toured a food bank and visited a vaccination “super site”.
Senate Democrats are scrambling for a way to include a $15 minimum wage in the Biden administration’s $1.9tn stimulus package after the Senate parliamentarian ruled that the provision would have to be removed. The House is expected to pass the bill later this evening.
The CDC director, Rochelle Walensky, warned that now was not the time to lift public health restrictions, citing “concerning” new data that showed the rate of new infections ticking upward after weeks of decline.
Conservatives are gathering in Orlando for the annual CPAC conference. Our colleague, David Smith, has been sending virtual dispatches from the event, which has featured several of Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill.
An unrepentant Josh Hawley, Republican senator for Missouri, earned rapturous cheers and applause when he bragged to CPAC about his key role in the effort to overturn Joe Biden’s election victory, writes David Smith in a virtual dispatch from CPAC.
The senator continued: “So I did that. I said I want to have a debate on election integrity. And what was the result of that? You know what the result was. I was called a traitor. I was called a seditionist. The radical left said I should be resigned and, if I wouldn’t resign, I should be expelled from the United States Senate.“Well, as I said a moment ago, I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying right here. I’m going to stand up for you because if we can’t have free and open debate in this country, we’re not going to have a country left. If we can’t have free and open debate according to the laws in the United States Senate, what good is the United States Senate?“Why do you send anybody to Washington at all? I thought it was an important stand to take and for that the left has come after me. They tried to silence me. They cancelled a book I was writing called The Tyranny of Big Tech. These people have no sense of irony. Still going to get published, by the way. It’ll be out soon.”Hawley and other Republicans loyal to Donald Trump have perpetuated the lie of a stolen election despite state election officials, numerous courts and Trump’s own attorney general, William Barr, finding no significant evidence of voter fraud. Hawley and colleague Ted Cruz are facing an investigation from the Senate ethics committee over their conduct before the insurrection at the US Capitol on 6 January.
The Biden administration is “considering” the cancellation of arms deals with Saudi Arabia that pose human rights concerns while limiting future military sales to “defensive” weapons, Reuters reported on Friday.
This comes as the US reassesses its relationship with the Kingdom in the wake of a damning intelligence report that implicated the Saudi prince in the murder of Washington Post columnist, Jamal Khashoggi.
Reuters reports:
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters on Friday that the airstrikes carried out in Syria caused “casualties” but said it was too early to say how many militia fighters had been hurt or killed.Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters on Friday that the airstrikes carried out in Syria caused “casualties” but said it was too early to say how many militia fighters had been hurt or killed.
“We have preliminary indications of casualties on site,” Kirby said. “I’m not going to go any further than that.”“We have preliminary indications of casualties on site,” Kirby said. “I’m not going to go any further than that.”
The strikes killed at least 22 people, according to a tally by the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which cites unconfirmed reports.The strikes killed at least 22 people, according to a tally by the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which cites unconfirmed reports.
The Bidens toured a Food Bank in Houston during their visit to the storm-battered city this afternoon.The Bidens toured a Food Bank in Houston during their visit to the storm-battered city this afternoon.
Brian Greene, CEO of Houston Food Bank, walked the Bidens around the facility, described in a pool report as a “Costco on steroids.” Brian Greene, CEO of Houston Food Bank, walked the Bidens around the facility, described in a pool report as a “Costco on steroids”.
The president, known for glad-handing on the campaign trail, spotted a young boy helping to sort bags of chops and boxes of cookies into bins. The president, known for glad-handing on the campaign trail, spotted a young boy helping to sort bags of chips and boxes of cookies into bins.
“What are you, 18? 18 years old?” he asked the boy, who seemed, according to the pool reporter, “befuddled.” “What are you, 18? Eighteen years old?” he asked the boy, who seemed, according to the pool reporter, “befuddled”.
Then Biden meets the boy’s sister, who he offers a pep talk. He tells her that his own sister, Valerie, is his best friend.Then Biden meets the boy’s sister, who he offers a pep talk. He tells her that his own sister, Valerie, is his best friend.
“She’s smarter than I am,” he tells the girl. “She’s better than I am.”“She’s smarter than I am,” he tells the girl. “She’s better than I am.”
The girl gives Biden a hug – and then runs over to her brother and gives him a hug as well.The girl gives Biden a hug – and then runs over to her brother and gives him a hug as well.
John Durham, the US Attorney for the District of Connecticut who was appointed as special counsel to investigate the origins of the Russia investigation, has resigned, effective at midnight on 28 February.John Durham, the US Attorney for the District of Connecticut who was appointed as special counsel to investigate the origins of the Russia investigation, has resigned, effective at midnight on 28 February.
Fox News is reporting that Durham will remain in his role as special counsel.Fox News is reporting that Durham will remain in his role as special counsel.
The Biden administration had asked all Trump-appointed US attorneys to resign by the end of the month. The announcement would have spared Durham, who was overseeing the politically-charged investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe.The Biden administration had asked all Trump-appointed US attorneys to resign by the end of the month. The announcement would have spared Durham, who was overseeing the politically-charged investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe.
However, CNN previously reported that Durham intended to resign anyway, even as he stayed on to complete the investigation.However, CNN previously reported that Durham intended to resign anyway, even as he stayed on to complete the investigation.
“My career has been as fulfilling as I could ever have imagined when I graduated from law school way back in 1975,” Durham wrote in a statement. “Much of that fulfillment has come from all the people with whom I’ve been blessed to share this workplace, and in our partner law enforcement agencies. My love and respect for this Office and the vitally important work done here have never diminished. It has been a tremendous honor to serve as U.S. Attorney, and as a career prosecutor before that, and I will sorely miss it.”“My career has been as fulfilling as I could ever have imagined when I graduated from law school way back in 1975,” Durham wrote in a statement. “Much of that fulfillment has come from all the people with whom I’ve been blessed to share this workplace, and in our partner law enforcement agencies. My love and respect for this Office and the vitally important work done here have never diminished. It has been a tremendous honor to serve as U.S. Attorney, and as a career prosecutor before that, and I will sorely miss it.”
As Biden tours a food bank in Houston, Republicans are taking turns railing against his administration at the annual CPAC conference. David Smith sends another virtual report from the gathering.As Biden tours a food bank in Houston, Republicans are taking turns railing against his administration at the annual CPAC conference. David Smith sends another virtual report from the gathering.
Speakers at CPAC continue to pledge fealty to former president Donald Trump. Matt Gaetz, a congressman from Florida, told the audience: “My fellow patriots, don’t be shy and don’t be sorry, join me as we proudly represent the pro-Trump America first wing of the conservative movement.“We’re not really a wing; we’re the whole body. We’re the main attraction in the greatest show on earth.”Gaetz, a self-proclaimed “Florida man” wearing blue jacket and purple tie, lashed out at “cancel culture” and “lockdown governors” including Democrat Andrew Cuomo of New York. He also defended Republican senator of Ted Cruz of Texas.“It was awful the way the media treated Ted Cruz,” he said. “I mean, the left and the media were more worried about Ted Cruz going to Mexico to spend his own money than about the caravans coming through Mexico to take ours.”If Congresswoman Liz Cheney, who voted for Trump’s impeachment after the 6 January insurrection at the US Capitol, were on the CPAC stage she would be booed, he predicted. The party’s true leadership was not in Washington, Gaetz said.He also described the biggest threats to freedom as big government and big business, in particular big tech. “There are no checks and balances when they can control-alt-delete anyone for any reason,” the congressman warned.Speakers at CPAC continue to pledge fealty to former president Donald Trump. Matt Gaetz, a congressman from Florida, told the audience: “My fellow patriots, don’t be shy and don’t be sorry, join me as we proudly represent the pro-Trump America first wing of the conservative movement.“We’re not really a wing; we’re the whole body. We’re the main attraction in the greatest show on earth.”Gaetz, a self-proclaimed “Florida man” wearing blue jacket and purple tie, lashed out at “cancel culture” and “lockdown governors” including Democrat Andrew Cuomo of New York. He also defended Republican senator of Ted Cruz of Texas.“It was awful the way the media treated Ted Cruz,” he said. “I mean, the left and the media were more worried about Ted Cruz going to Mexico to spend his own money than about the caravans coming through Mexico to take ours.”If Congresswoman Liz Cheney, who voted for Trump’s impeachment after the 6 January insurrection at the US Capitol, were on the CPAC stage she would be booed, he predicted. The party’s true leadership was not in Washington, Gaetz said.He also described the biggest threats to freedom as big government and big business, in particular big tech. “There are no checks and balances when they can control-alt-delete anyone for any reason,” the congressman warned.
[blogger’s note: a number of House Republicans have asked their colleagues to vote on their behalf, under rule changes to make voting safer during the pandemic. And yet, many of those very same members are appearing alongside hundreds of conservative activists at CPAC.][blogger’s note: a number of House Republicans have asked their colleagues to vote on their behalf, under rule changes to make voting safer during the pandemic. And yet, many of those very same members are appearing alongside hundreds of conservative activists at CPAC.]
US Treasury secretary Janet Yellen has announced sanctions on former Saudi intelligence deputy chief Ahmad Hassan Mohammed al Asiri and the Rapid Intervention Force (RIF), known as the ‘Tiger Squad’ which supplied much of the hit team that killed Jamal Khashoggi, the US-based dissident who was murdered by Saudi operatives in Turkey in 2018.US Treasury secretary Janet Yellen has announced sanctions on former Saudi intelligence deputy chief Ahmad Hassan Mohammed al Asiri and the Rapid Intervention Force (RIF), known as the ‘Tiger Squad’ which supplied much of the hit team that killed Jamal Khashoggi, the US-based dissident who was murdered by Saudi operatives in Turkey in 2018.
My colleagues Julian Borger and Stephanie Kirchgaessner are all over this.My colleagues Julian Borger and Stephanie Kirchgaessner are all over this.
AndAnd
Yellen just said in a statement: “Those involved in the abhorrent killing of Jamal Khashoggi must be held accountable. With this action, Treasury is sanctioning Saudi Arabia’s Rapid Intervention Force and a senior Saudi official who was directly involved in Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.”Yellen just said in a statement: “Those involved in the abhorrent killing of Jamal Khashoggi must be held accountable. With this action, Treasury is sanctioning Saudi Arabia’s Rapid Intervention Force and a senior Saudi official who was directly involved in Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.”
She added: “The United States stands united with journalists and political dissidents in opposing threats of violence and intimidation. We will continue to defend the freedom of expression, which is the bedrock of a free society.”She added: “The United States stands united with journalists and political dissidents in opposing threats of violence and intimidation. We will continue to defend the freedom of expression, which is the bedrock of a free society.”
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia is not on the Biden administration’s list, even though he is accused of approving the murder of Khashoggi, according to the US unclassified intelligence report made public just under two hours ago.Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia is not on the Biden administration’s list, even though he is accused of approving the murder of Khashoggi, according to the US unclassified intelligence report made public just under two hours ago.
Stephanie Kirchgaessner’s report in full:Stephanie Kirchgaessner’s report in full:
As Joe Biden and Jill Biden go about their engagements in Texas, here is some more reporting from Reuters, including some interesting comments that went down on Air Force One en route from the capital to Houston.As Joe Biden and Jill Biden go about their engagements in Texas, here is some more reporting from Reuters, including some interesting comments that went down on Air Force One en route from the capital to Houston.
The Guardian further notes that Abbott took aim at renewable energy during the big freeze, even though the worst problem was frozen natural gas pipes, not frozen windmills. There was a trait during the disaster of state officials and business leaders seeming to do more finger-pointing than finger-lifting to help people. We won’t even relive the details of right-wing Senator Ted Cruz’s Cancun jaunt here...The Guardian further notes that Abbott took aim at renewable energy during the big freeze, even though the worst problem was frozen natural gas pipes, not frozen windmills. There was a trait during the disaster of state officials and business leaders seeming to do more finger-pointing than finger-lifting to help people. We won’t even relive the details of right-wing Senator Ted Cruz’s Cancun jaunt here...
And Abbott then managed to ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Biden to issue a major disaster declaration for all of the state’s 254 counties.And Abbott then managed to ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Biden to issue a major disaster declaration for all of the state’s 254 counties.
Joe Biden has arrived in Texas. Air Force One touched down in Houston in the last hour. The president plans to tour areas that suffered winter storm damage in the Arctic conditions that engulfed the Lone Star state last week.Joe Biden has arrived in Texas. Air Force One touched down in Houston in the last hour. The president plans to tour areas that suffered winter storm damage in the Arctic conditions that engulfed the Lone Star state last week.
The presidential motorcade rolled to the Harris County Office of Emergency Management.The presidential motorcade rolled to the Harris County Office of Emergency Management.
My colleague Erum Salam just emerged from that miserable and, for too many, deadly deep freeze.My colleague Erum Salam just emerged from that miserable and, for too many, deadly deep freeze.
Secretary of state Antony Blinken is issuing details of a new policy that will allow the US state department to act against individuals, such as the Saudi government operatives who killed Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, who directly engage in serious, extraterritorial counter-dissident activities.Secretary of state Antony Blinken is issuing details of a new policy that will allow the US state department to act against individuals, such as the Saudi government operatives who killed Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, who directly engage in serious, extraterritorial counter-dissident activities.
My colleague Julian Borger notes as such.My colleague Julian Borger notes as such.
A statement issued by Blinken notes that “the world was horrified by the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a lawful permanent resident of the United States, in the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey” in October 2018.A statement issued by Blinken notes that “the world was horrified by the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a lawful permanent resident of the United States, in the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey” in October 2018.
He goes on: “Individuals should be able to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms without fear of government retribution, retaliation, punishment, or harm.He goes on: “Individuals should be able to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms without fear of government retribution, retaliation, punishment, or harm.
“Jamal Khashoggi paid with his life to express his beliefs. President Biden said in a statement released last October on the second anniversary of the murder that Mr. Khashoggi’s death would not be in vain, and that we owe it to his memory to fight for a more just and free world.”“Jamal Khashoggi paid with his life to express his beliefs. President Biden said in a statement released last October on the second anniversary of the murder that Mr. Khashoggi’s death would not be in vain, and that we owe it to his memory to fight for a more just and free world.”
In announcing what the department is calling the Khashoggi Ban, Blinken added that the government “is announcing additional measures to reinforce the world’s condemnation of that crime, and to push back against governments that reach beyond their borders to threaten and attack journalists and perceived dissidents for exercising their fundamental freedoms.”In announcing what the department is calling the Khashoggi Ban, Blinken added that the government “is announcing additional measures to reinforce the world’s condemnation of that crime, and to push back against governments that reach beyond their borders to threaten and attack journalists and perceived dissidents for exercising their fundamental freedoms.”
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the ban allows the State Department to impose visa restrictions on individuals who, “acting on behalf of a foreign government, are believed to have been directly engaged in serious, extraterritorial counter-dissident activities, including those that suppress, harass, surveil, threaten, or harm journalists, activists, or other persons perceived to be dissidents for their work, or who engage in such activities with respect to the families or other close associates of such persons.”Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the ban allows the State Department to impose visa restrictions on individuals who, “acting on behalf of a foreign government, are believed to have been directly engaged in serious, extraterritorial counter-dissident activities, including those that suppress, harass, surveil, threaten, or harm journalists, activists, or other persons perceived to be dissidents for their work, or who engage in such activities with respect to the families or other close associates of such persons.”
Aboard Air Force One, Psaki answered a handful of questions related to Khashoggi’s murder.Aboard Air Force One, Psaki answered a handful of questions related to Khashoggi’s murder.
Asked if Biden raised the report in his call with the Saudi King earlier this week, Psaki referred to a readout, which said he raised the war in Yemen and concerns over human rights abuses.Asked if Biden raised the report in his call with the Saudi King earlier this week, Psaki referred to a readout, which said he raised the war in Yemen and concerns over human rights abuses.
Asked if Biden had concerns about MBS being in line to succeed King Salman, Psaki said that was a matter for the government of Saudi Arabia. “The president has been clear, and we’ve been clear by our actions that we’re going to recalibrate the relationship, including ensuring that engagement happens counterpart to counterpart,” she added.Asked if Biden had concerns about MBS being in line to succeed King Salman, Psaki said that was a matter for the government of Saudi Arabia. “The president has been clear, and we’ve been clear by our actions that we’re going to recalibrate the relationship, including ensuring that engagement happens counterpart to counterpart,” she added.
Asked whether the state department was weighing sanctions in response Khashoggi’s killing, she replied: “We’ve been clear at every level that our intention is to recalibrate the relationship and this will be a different relationship with the Saudi government. At the same time, we of course we want to end the war in Yemen, we want to ensure that humanitarian crisis is addressed and the president and every member of our team is not going to hold back in voicing concern, and taking action as needed.Asked whether the state department was weighing sanctions in response Khashoggi’s killing, she replied: “We’ve been clear at every level that our intention is to recalibrate the relationship and this will be a different relationship with the Saudi government. At the same time, we of course we want to end the war in Yemen, we want to ensure that humanitarian crisis is addressed and the president and every member of our team is not going to hold back in voicing concern, and taking action as needed.
She told reporters to “stay tuned” for announcements about further actions the administration will take in response to the report’s findings.She told reporters to “stay tuned” for announcements about further actions the administration will take in response to the report’s findings.
More news is trickling out about how the US intends to respond to the intelligence report implicating the Saudi crown prince in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.More news is trickling out about how the US intends to respond to the intelligence report implicating the Saudi crown prince in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
According to Politico, the Treasury will unveil sanctions today targeting top Saudi officials for their involvement in Khashoggi’s assassination. However, the prince is not expected to be sanctioned despite the report’s conclusion that he approved of the plot to “capture or kill” Khashoggi.According to Politico, the Treasury will unveil sanctions today targeting top Saudi officials for their involvement in Khashoggi’s assassination. However, the prince is not expected to be sanctioned despite the report’s conclusion that he approved of the plot to “capture or kill” Khashoggi.
The State Department is expected to make an announcement later this afternoon.The State Department is expected to make an announcement later this afternoon.
The State Department has identified 76 Saudi Arabian individuals who may be subject to sanctions under what it is calling the “Khashoggi policy,” according to Bloomberg News.The State Department has identified 76 Saudi Arabian individuals who may be subject to sanctions under what it is calling the “Khashoggi policy,” according to Bloomberg News.
The State Department outlined the new policy in a fact sheet sent to lawmakers but not yet released publicly, according to Bloomberg. It part of an effort to hold accountable individuals involved in Khashoggi’s death.The State Department outlined the new policy in a fact sheet sent to lawmakers but not yet released publicly, according to Bloomberg. It part of an effort to hold accountable individuals involved in Khashoggi’s death.
The new policy, according to a copy of the fact sheet, would “impose visa restrictions on individuals who, acting on behalf of a foreign government, are believed to have been directly engaged in serious, extraterritorial counter-dissident activities.”The new policy, according to a copy of the fact sheet, would “impose visa restrictions on individuals who, acting on behalf of a foreign government, are believed to have been directly engaged in serious, extraterritorial counter-dissident activities.”
The Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, approved the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, according to an unclassified report released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) on Friday.The Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, approved the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, according to an unclassified report released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) on Friday.
“We assess that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi,” ODNI said in a partly-redacted four-page summary.“We assess that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi,” ODNI said in a partly-redacted four-page summary.
It based the assessment on the 35-year-old prince’s “control of decision-making in the kingdom, the direct involvement of a key adviser and members of [the prince’s] protective detail in the operation, and [his] support for the using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi”.It based the assessment on the 35-year-old prince’s “control of decision-making in the kingdom, the direct involvement of a key adviser and members of [the prince’s] protective detail in the operation, and [his] support for the using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi”.
“Since 2017, the Crown Prince has had absolute control of the Kingdom’s security and intelligence organizations, making it highly unlikely that Saudi officials would have carried out an operation of this nature without the Crown Prince’s authorization,” the report states.“Since 2017, the Crown Prince has had absolute control of the Kingdom’s security and intelligence organizations, making it highly unlikely that Saudi officials would have carried out an operation of this nature without the Crown Prince’s authorization,” the report states.
The release of the assessment was expected to be accompanied by further actions from the Biden administration.The release of the assessment was expected to be accompanied by further actions from the Biden administration.
Read the summary in full here [PDF].Read the summary in full here [PDF].
White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters aboard Air Force One that the Director of National Intelligence would release the long-awaited intelligence report on the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi on Friday.White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters aboard Air Force One that the Director of National Intelligence would release the long-awaited intelligence report on the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi on Friday.
House minority leader Kevin McCarthy is holding a briefing with reporters before the chamber votes on Biden’s stimulus package later today.House minority leader Kevin McCarthy is holding a briefing with reporters before the chamber votes on Biden’s stimulus package later today.
House Republicans are urging the caucus to vote “no” on the legislation, assailing it as too costly and a progressive “payoff”.House Republicans are urging the caucus to vote “no” on the legislation, assailing it as too costly and a progressive “payoff”.
During the briefing, he called workaround plans to target big companies that don’t pay workers $15 an hour “stupid.”During the briefing, he called workaround plans to target big companies that don’t pay workers $15 an hour “stupid.”
Asked about his recent conversations with Trump, McCarthy said he had not secured a commitment from the former president not to back primaries against Republicans who broke with him.Asked about his recent conversations with Trump, McCarthy said he had not secured a commitment from the former president not to back primaries against Republicans who broke with him.
Among those Republicans is Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who has drawn conservative ire over her vote to impeach Trump. Though Cheney easily beat back an attempt to strip her of her leadership position, she already faces several primary challengers.Among those Republicans is Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who has drawn conservative ire over her vote to impeach Trump. Though Cheney easily beat back an attempt to strip her of her leadership position, she already faces several primary challengers.
Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell has said he would help Cheney in her election. Asked if he planned to do the same, McCarthy said evasively that Cheney hadn’t asked yet for his help.Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell has said he would help Cheney in her election. Asked if he planned to do the same, McCarthy said evasively that Cheney hadn’t asked yet for his help.
But she shouldn’t have to ask. It has long been the policy of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) to back incumbents in their primaries.But she shouldn’t have to ask. It has long been the policy of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) to back incumbents in their primaries.
Some progressives have called on Senators to “overrule” or even fire the Senate parliamentarian after she determined that a proposed $15-an-hour minimum-wage increase must be stripped from Biden’s covid relief bill.Some progressives have called on Senators to “overrule” or even fire the Senate parliamentarian after she determined that a proposed $15-an-hour minimum-wage increase must be stripped from Biden’s covid relief bill.
But the White House has said vice president Kamala Harris – who would cast the tie-breaking vote in an evenly split Senate – has no intention of overruling the parliamentarian.But the White House has said vice president Kamala Harris – who would cast the tie-breaking vote in an evenly split Senate – has no intention of overruling the parliamentarian.
Yet even if the White House was willing to challenge the ruling, it’s not certain Harris would have the chance to do so. At least two Democratic senators have said they did not support legislation raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour and Harris only votes if there is a tie to break.Yet even if the White House was willing to challenge the ruling, it’s not certain Harris would have the chance to do so. At least two Democratic senators have said they did not support legislation raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour and Harris only votes if there is a tie to break.
Guardian bureau chief David Smith sends another virtual dispatch from CPAC, where Republican senator Ted Cruz just left the stage.Guardian bureau chief David Smith sends another virtual dispatch from CPAC, where Republican senator Ted Cruz just left the stage.
Cruz has joked about his disastrous decision last week to fly to Cancun, Mexico, for a family holiday as people struggled for food and warmth following a snowstorm in his home state of Texas.Cruz has joked about his disastrous decision last week to fly to Cancun, Mexico, for a family holiday as people struggled for food and warmth following a snowstorm in his home state of Texas.
“Orlando is awesome,” Cruz told CPAC in Orlando, Florida. “It’s not as nice as Cancun, but it’s nice.”The senator went on to rail against “cancel culture”, coronavirus restrictions in restaurants and the “shrill” and “angry” left in speech that earned laugher and applause. He paid tribute to late rightwing radio host Rush Limbaugh and mixed in references to Saturday Night Live, Star Wars, Star Trek and the Mel Gibson film Braveheart.“We’re gathered at a time where the hard left, where the socialists control the levers of government, where they control the White House, where they control every executive branch, where they control both houses of Congress,” Cruz said.“Bernie [Sanders] is wearing mittens and AOC [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] is telling us she was ‘murdered’.” Cruz put a shrill emphasis on the word “murdered” to mock the Democratic congresswoman who has told how she feared for her life during the insurrection at the US Capitol on 6 January.He went on: “And the media desperately, desperately, desperately wants to see a Republican civil war. Liberty is under assault and what are we going to do? I’ll tell you, we will fight.”Cruz was among the most prominent Senate Republicans who voted to challenge the result of the 2020 election. He issued a warning to members of his own party who want to “erase the last four years” and banish Trump’s “Make America great again” movement.“They look at Donald Trump and they look at the millions and millions of people inspired who went to the battle fighting alongside President Trump, and they’re terrified and they want him to go away. Let me tell you this right now: Donald J Trump ain’t going anywhere.”That promise got the biggest applause of his speech. Cruz went on: “The Republican Party is not the party just of the country club. The Republican Party is the party of steel workers and construction workers and pipeline workers and taxi cab drivers and cops and firefighters and waiters and waitresses and the men and women with calluses on their hands who are working for this country“That is our party. And these ‘deplorables’ are here to say.”“Orlando is awesome,” Cruz told CPAC in Orlando, Florida. “It’s not as nice as Cancun, but it’s nice.”The senator went on to rail against “cancel culture”, coronavirus restrictions in restaurants and the “shrill” and “angry” left in speech that earned laugher and applause. He paid tribute to late rightwing radio host Rush Limbaugh and mixed in references to Saturday Night Live, Star Wars, Star Trek and the Mel Gibson film Braveheart.“We’re gathered at a time where the hard left, where the socialists control the levers of government, where they control the White House, where they control every executive branch, where they control both houses of Congress,” Cruz said.“Bernie [Sanders] is wearing mittens and AOC [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] is telling us she was ‘murdered’.” Cruz put a shrill emphasis on the word “murdered” to mock the Democratic congresswoman who has told how she feared for her life during the insurrection at the US Capitol on 6 January.He went on: “And the media desperately, desperately, desperately wants to see a Republican civil war. Liberty is under assault and what are we going to do? I’ll tell you, we will fight.”Cruz was among the most prominent Senate Republicans who voted to challenge the result of the 2020 election. He issued a warning to members of his own party who want to “erase the last four years” and banish Trump’s “Make America great again” movement.“They look at Donald Trump and they look at the millions and millions of people inspired who went to the battle fighting alongside President Trump, and they’re terrified and they want him to go away. Let me tell you this right now: Donald J Trump ain’t going anywhere.”That promise got the biggest applause of his speech. Cruz went on: “The Republican Party is not the party just of the country club. The Republican Party is the party of steel workers and construction workers and pipeline workers and taxi cab drivers and cops and firefighters and waiters and waitresses and the men and women with calluses on their hands who are working for this country“That is our party. And these ‘deplorables’ are here to say.”