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| Biden says he’s willing ‘to compromise’ with Republicans on infrastructure bill – live | Biden says he’s willing ‘to compromise’ with Republicans on infrastructure bill – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| President meets with a bipartisan group of lawmakers and says ‘I am prepared to compromise’ | President meets with a bipartisan group of lawmakers and says ‘I am prepared to compromise’ |
| That’s it for me tonight. Thank you for reading along. To recap, here’s some of what we covered this afternoon: | |
| White House press secretary Jen Psaki tried to address criticisms over the Biden Administration’s decision not to increase refugee caps above levels lowered and then set by Trump. | |
| D.C.’s chief medical examiner ruled that Officer Sicknick — who was injured during the Jan.6 riot at the US Capitol — died from multiple stokes, that did not result from his injuries. | |
| Biden is preparing to address the nation as the jury begins deliberations in Derek Chauvin’s trial for the murder of George Floyd | |
| A new poll shows that most New Yorkers disapprove of their scandal-ridden governor, Andrew Cuomo, but a narrow majority doesn’t think he should resign. | |
| Roughly 80% of countries are now on the State Department’s travel advisory list, as Covid cases continue to spike around the world. | |
| Contributions from a PAC started by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are being returned by moderate Democrats. | |
| Have a good night! | |
| The Republican Party has successfully pressured moderate Democratic lawmakers to return funds raised by a political action committee former by US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Reuters reports. | |
| As part of a congressional campaign, the GOP launched a website today highlighting how more than two dozen Democrats — some in conservative-leaning districts — accepted thousands of dollars in donations from fundraising efforts tied to Ocasio-Cortez, and called on them to give the money back. | |
| Ocasio-Cortez has contributed to more than 30 candidates in key seats, according to a spokeswoman, hoping to help Democrats maintain their majority. | |
| “The Congresswoman is proud to stand for guaranteed healthcare, housing, and education for all people in the United States and will continue to do so regardless of how hysterical it makes the members of the Republican Caucus,” the spokeswoman told Reuters. | |
| Even before the website launched, 4 Democratic representatives had reportedly returned the funds, in an attempt to get distance from the liberal lawmaker. | |
| From Reuters: | |
| The “climate clock” — an anxiety-inducing countdown posted by climate activists in New York’s Union Square got an optimistic update today, with the new addition showing the world’s renewable energy usage, now at 12%. | The “climate clock” — an anxiety-inducing countdown posted by climate activists in New York’s Union Square got an optimistic update today, with the new addition showing the world’s renewable energy usage, now at 12%. |
| “If we just have the deadline, that’s really focused on doomsday, and it can make people feel hopeless. People need to be reminded there’s so much they can do in terms of taking action,” Alexandria Villasenor, a leader in the youth climate movement told Reuters. | “If we just have the deadline, that’s really focused on doomsday, and it can make people feel hopeless. People need to be reminded there’s so much they can do in terms of taking action,” Alexandria Villasenor, a leader in the youth climate movement told Reuters. |
| The clock, which began counting down last September, measures the time remaining to reduce emissions before climate change’s worst effects become permanent, according to creators. | The clock, which began counting down last September, measures the time remaining to reduce emissions before climate change’s worst effects become permanent, according to creators. |
| The new addition was unveiled as part of week-long series of events organized to put pressure on President Biden and other world leaders, who will be meeting virtually for a climate summit at the end of the week. | The new addition was unveiled as part of week-long series of events organized to put pressure on President Biden and other world leaders, who will be meeting virtually for a climate summit at the end of the week. |
| From Reuters: | From Reuters: |
| The State Department will update its travel advisories, officials announced today, to discourage Americans from traveling to roughly 80% of countries around the world, CNN reports. | The State Department will update its travel advisories, officials announced today, to discourage Americans from traveling to roughly 80% of countries around the world, CNN reports. |
| “This does not imply a reassessment of the current health situation in a given country, but rather reflects an adjustment in the State Department’s Travel Advisory system to rely more on CDC’s existing epidemiological assessments,” the department said in statement issued to the press. | “This does not imply a reassessment of the current health situation in a given country, but rather reflects an adjustment in the State Department’s Travel Advisory system to rely more on CDC’s existing epidemiological assessments,” the department said in statement issued to the press. |
| The guidance, now more in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, comes as Covid cases around the world rise rapidly, largely driven by a surge in India and spikes in new variants of the virus: | The guidance, now more in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, comes as Covid cases around the world rise rapidly, largely driven by a surge in India and spikes in new variants of the virus: |
| Here’s more on Senator Joe Manchin’s support for the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act), a sweeping labor reform bill that passed the House in March. | Here’s more on Senator Joe Manchin’s support for the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act), a sweeping labor reform bill that passed the House in March. |
| Manchin – who represents Republican stronghold West Virginia – is considered one of the most conservative Democrats in the senate. But, speaking at a virtual event at the National Press Club today, he announced that he’d sign on as co-sponsor for the bill. | Manchin – who represents Republican stronghold West Virginia – is considered one of the most conservative Democrats in the senate. But, speaking at a virtual event at the National Press Club today, he announced that he’d sign on as co-sponsor for the bill. |
| “This legislation will level the playing field,” Manchin said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to move this bill through a legislative process.” | “This legislation will level the playing field,” Manchin said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to move this bill through a legislative process.” |
| The bill, which would provide protections for workers attempting to organize, and allow unions to collect dues from non-members, passed 225-206 last month, with 5 Republicans voting in favor. It’s considered the biggest legislative priority for the labor movement, and has support from the White House. | The bill, which would provide protections for workers attempting to organize, and allow unions to collect dues from non-members, passed 225-206 last month, with 5 Republicans voting in favor. It’s considered the biggest legislative priority for the labor movement, and has support from the White House. |
| “Nearly 60 million Americans would join a union if they get a chance, but too many employers and states prevent them from doing so through anti-union attacks,” President Biden said in a statement after it passed last month. “They know that without unions, they can run the table on workers – union and non-union alike.” | “Nearly 60 million Americans would join a union if they get a chance, but too many employers and states prevent them from doing so through anti-union attacks,” President Biden said in a statement after it passed last month. “They know that without unions, they can run the table on workers – union and non-union alike.” |
| Still, it’s a long shot. While Manchin’s move will bolster optimism for the bill, he didn’t share details on how he would convince his colleagues to join him in supporting the measure. The Senate, though narrowly under Democratic control is sharply divided and it’s unlikely to gain enough support to get past a GOP filibuster. | Still, it’s a long shot. While Manchin’s move will bolster optimism for the bill, he didn’t share details on how he would convince his colleagues to join him in supporting the measure. The Senate, though narrowly under Democratic control is sharply divided and it’s unlikely to gain enough support to get past a GOP filibuster. |
| From Reuters: | From Reuters: |
| A new poll out today shows that, while a narrow majority of New Yorkers view scandal-ridden governor Andrew Cuomo unfavorably, they don’t want him to resign. | A new poll out today shows that, while a narrow majority of New Yorkers view scandal-ridden governor Andrew Cuomo unfavorably, they don’t want him to resign. |
| Just over half of the 801 voters surveyed by Siena College Research Institute last week said he shouldn’t step down, even after dozens of officials serving at both the federal and state level have called for him to give up his seat. | Just over half of the 801 voters surveyed by Siena College Research Institute last week said he shouldn’t step down, even after dozens of officials serving at both the federal and state level have called for him to give up his seat. |
| Still, roughly 57% said they wouldn’t plan to vote for him if he runs again. | Still, roughly 57% said they wouldn’t plan to vote for him if he runs again. |
| Cuomo has been accused of sexual harassment and misconduct by 5 current and former aides, allegations he has vehemently denied. The NY governor is also being investigated by federal prosecutors for policies to protect nursing homes from lawsuits during the Covid crisis, and the New York State attorney general is examining how Cuomo used state resources on a book, for which he received a seven-figure advance. Cuomo and has come under additional criticism for allegedly giving his inner circle preferential treatment when Covid tests were scarce. | Cuomo has been accused of sexual harassment and misconduct by 5 current and former aides, allegations he has vehemently denied. The NY governor is also being investigated by federal prosecutors for policies to protect nursing homes from lawsuits during the Covid crisis, and the New York State attorney general is examining how Cuomo used state resources on a book, for which he received a seven-figure advance. Cuomo and has come under additional criticism for allegedly giving his inner circle preferential treatment when Covid tests were scarce. |
| Capital Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died in the hospital the day after defending the US Capitol from an attack by a pro-Trump mob, died of natural causes, the District’s chief medical examiner ruled today. | Capital Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died in the hospital the day after defending the US Capitol from an attack by a pro-Trump mob, died of natural causes, the District’s chief medical examiner ruled today. |
| Officer Sicknick suffered injuries during the attempted insurrection, but died from a stroke. Medical examiner Francisco J. Diaz, in an interview with The Washington Post, said there was no evidence that his death was caused by injuries or an allergic reaction to chemical irritants, but noted that “all that transpired played a role in his condition.” | Officer Sicknick suffered injuries during the attempted insurrection, but died from a stroke. Medical examiner Francisco J. Diaz, in an interview with The Washington Post, said there was no evidence that his death was caused by injuries or an allergic reaction to chemical irritants, but noted that “all that transpired played a role in his condition.” |
| Sicknick, who was 42, collapsed in his office after the riot and died the following day. Autopsies show he suffered two strokes at the base of his brain steam due to a blood clot. | Sicknick, who was 42, collapsed in his office after the riot and died the following day. Autopsies show he suffered two strokes at the base of his brain steam due to a blood clot. |
| From the Washington Post: | From the Washington Post: |
| The US Capitol Police Department has accepted the findings, but issued a statement Monday saying that Officer Sicknick still died in the line of duty. | The US Capitol Police Department has accepted the findings, but issued a statement Monday saying that Officer Sicknick still died in the line of duty. |
| “The Department continues to mourn the loss of our beloved colleague,” the USCP wrote in press release. “The attack on our officers, including Brian, was an attack on our democracy.” | “The Department continues to mourn the loss of our beloved colleague,” the USCP wrote in press release. “The attack on our officers, including Brian, was an attack on our democracy.” |
| Earlier today, White House press secretary Jen Psaki addressed criticisms over the Biden Administration’s decision to uphold the level of refugees allowed into the US, set by Trump. | Earlier today, White House press secretary Jen Psaki addressed criticisms over the Biden Administration’s decision to uphold the level of refugees allowed into the US, set by Trump. |
| “The challenge is not the cap,” Psaki told reporters on Monday, explaining that the Administration will make a new determination on the number, within the next month. “The challenge is the ability to process.” | “The challenge is not the cap,” Psaki told reporters on Monday, explaining that the Administration will make a new determination on the number, within the next month. “The challenge is the ability to process.” |
| The move marked a shift from Biden, who promised to raise the number by 110,000 for the 2022 fiscal year. Last week, in a surprising about-face, the White House instead left the cap at 15,000, the same number set by the previous Administration, which had lowered it from 85,000. | The move marked a shift from Biden, who promised to raise the number by 110,000 for the 2022 fiscal year. Last week, in a surprising about-face, the White House instead left the cap at 15,000, the same number set by the previous Administration, which had lowered it from 85,000. |
| From the New York Times: | From the New York Times: |
| Gabrielle Canon here, signing on from the west coast to take you through the rest of Monday afternoon’s news. | Gabrielle Canon here, signing on from the west coast to take you through the rest of Monday afternoon’s news. |
| As the the jury begins deliberations in Derek Chauvin’s trial for the murder of George Floyd, president Biden is privately planning how best to respond, the Associated Press reports. | As the the jury begins deliberations in Derek Chauvin’s trial for the murder of George Floyd, president Biden is privately planning how best to respond, the Associated Press reports. |
| The Administration is considering whether the new president should address to the nation and could possibly deploy specially trained community facilitators from the Justice Department. | The Administration is considering whether the new president should address to the nation and could possibly deploy specially trained community facilitators from the Justice Department. |
| “Our objective is to ensure there is space for peaceful protest,” press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Monday, explaining that there have been a range of preparations laid out for how the White House will respond. “Of course we’ll let the jury deliberate and we’ll wait for the verdict to come out before we say more about our engagements,” Psaki said. | “Our objective is to ensure there is space for peaceful protest,” press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Monday, explaining that there have been a range of preparations laid out for how the White House will respond. “Of course we’ll let the jury deliberate and we’ll wait for the verdict to come out before we say more about our engagements,” Psaki said. |
| From AP: | From AP: |
| For breaking news updates on the trial, you can follow along here: | For breaking news updates on the trial, you can follow along here: |
| That’s it for me. I’m passing the blog over to my colleagues on the West Coast. To review: | That’s it for me. I’m passing the blog over to my colleagues on the West Coast. To review: |
| Surrogates for Joe Biden are mounting a pro-vaccine push. | Surrogates for Joe Biden are mounting a pro-vaccine push. |
| Congressman Steve Stivers of Ohio is not running for Senate or reelection, he announced today. | Congressman Steve Stivers of Ohio is not running for Senate or reelection, he announced today. |
| Kimberly Guilfoyle has joined former Missouri governor Eric Greitens’ Senate campaign as national campaign chairman. | Kimberly Guilfoyle has joined former Missouri governor Eric Greitens’ Senate campaign as national campaign chairman. |
| Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia signed on as a co-sponsor to the PRO Act, aimed at overhauling workers’ rights and empowering them in disputes, he announced today. | Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia signed on as a co-sponsor to the PRO Act, aimed at overhauling workers’ rights and empowering them in disputes, he announced today. |
| Apple Inc. is planning to reinstate Parler in its app store. | Apple Inc. is planning to reinstate Parler in its app store. |
| The Wall Street Journal has more: | The Wall Street Journal has more: |
| Mike Lindell (a.k.a. the MyPillow guy) kicked his feud with Dominion Voting System Inc. up a notch on Monday, according to Bloomberg News: | Mike Lindell (a.k.a. the MyPillow guy) kicked his feud with Dominion Voting System Inc. up a notch on Monday, according to Bloomberg News: |
| Lindell is one of the closest allies to former president Donald Trump who has continued to loudly trumpet the debunked conspiracy theory that Dominion’s voting machines were used to secretly switch votes from Trump to Joe Biden. | Lindell is one of the closest allies to former president Donald Trump who has continued to loudly trumpet the debunked conspiracy theory that Dominion’s voting machines were used to secretly switch votes from Trump to Joe Biden. |
| Dominion has already sued Lindell over his claims: | Dominion has already sued Lindell over his claims: |
| CNN has an extensive deep dive into the acrimonious breakup between the business community and the Republican Party. Even before the 6 January Capitol riots, which provoked a batch of major U.S. companies to either withhold donations to all federal lawmakers or ones who fought certifying the election results, there was a fraying between the longtime Republican-business community alliance. | CNN has an extensive deep dive into the acrimonious breakup between the business community and the Republican Party. Even before the 6 January Capitol riots, which provoked a batch of major U.S. companies to either withhold donations to all federal lawmakers or ones who fought certifying the election results, there was a fraying between the longtime Republican-business community alliance. |
| There’s no better example than the disunion between the GOP and the Chamber of Commerce. Per CNN: | There’s no better example than the disunion between the GOP and the Chamber of Commerce. Per CNN: |
| There’s more: | There’s more: |