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/apr/19/joe-biden-infrastructure-plan-covid-coronavirus-latest-updates-live
The article has changed 23 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Biden says everyone in US now eligible for Covid vaccine – live updates | Biden says everyone in US now eligible for Covid vaccine – live updates |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| White House starts campaign aimed at those hesitant to sign up for jab | White House starts campaign aimed at those hesitant to sign up for jab |
| Top Republicans are saying they are open to some kind of bipartisan infrastructure bill and Joe Biden himself says he is too. | |
| During his meeting with a bipartisan group with lawmakers today the president said “I am prepared to compromise... It’s a big package but there are a lot of needs,” according to a White House pool report. | |
| Today, the president added, the group would discuss how the infrastructure plan would be paid for. | |
| “That’s what we’re going to try to figure out today...” Biden said. | |
| This is yet another sign that negotiating signs are still open. | |
| The former attorney general William Barr and supreme court justice Amy Coney Barrett have reportedly signed book deals – with Barrett paid a reported $2m for a volume on how judges should not bring their personal feelings into the way they rule. | |
| Barrett was appointed to the court in a hurried, politicized and bitter process last year, after the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a champion of progressive values. | |
| The new justice is a strict Catholic and her presence on the 6-3 conservative court has given rightwing campaigners hope it will soon strike down Roe v Wade, the 1973 ruling which established the right to abortion. | |
| An unnamed source who spoke to Politico said Barrett’s advance was “eye-raising”. A spokesperson for the court did not comment. | |
| An “anti-riot bill” signed today by Florida governor Ron DeSantis is “racist at its core”, one opponent of the Republican said. | |
| DeSantis is prominently placed in polls regarding the next Republican presidential nomination if Donald Trump doesn’t run again. As the Associated Press reported on Monday, he “cited events around the US but not the 6 January riot in Washington as he signed a bill to create tougher penalties for people who participate in violent protests. | |
| “The so-called anti-riot bill was a response to protests around the country because of police violence against African Americans. After the Capitol attack, Republicans pushing the legislation used it as an example to support the effort.” | |
| Five people died and more than 400 were charged as a result of the attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters told to “fight like hell” in Trump’s attempt to overturn his election defeat, based on the lie that Joe Biden’s victory was the product of electoral fraud. | |
| But the Capitol riots weren’t mentioned as the Florida bill was signed by DeSantis, who criticised the Minnesota attorney general at the same time closing arguments were taking place in the murder trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd, the Black man who died after Chauvin put a knee on his neck for almost 10 minutes. | |
| “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I can tell you that case was bungled by the attorney general there in Minnesota. They didn’t handle it properly, so there may be some people disappointed,” DeSantis said. | |
| Senator John Thune of South Dakota penned an op-ed published in USA Today saying a bipartisan infrastructure is possible if Democrats work with Republicans: | Senator John Thune of South Dakota penned an op-ed published in USA Today saying a bipartisan infrastructure is possible if Democrats work with Republicans: |
| On the one hand, the fact that Thune, the second highest ranking Republican says a deal is a sure sign Republicans are open for discussion. At the same time though this is the latest example of the rhetorical stalemate between Democrats and Republicans on most policy initiatives the Biden administration has prioritized -Democrats say they want a bipartisan deal, Republicans say the same but say Democrats are offering too many nonstarters. | On the one hand, the fact that Thune, the second highest ranking Republican says a deal is a sure sign Republicans are open for discussion. At the same time though this is the latest example of the rhetorical stalemate between Democrats and Republicans on most policy initiatives the Biden administration has prioritized -Democrats say they want a bipartisan deal, Republicans say the same but say Democrats are offering too many nonstarters. |
| As I mentioned earlier in the day, for many Republican candidates running for office means also making a pilgrimage to Donald Trump or Mar-a-Lago (or both). That’s exactly what’s happening for multiple statewide candidates around the country. | As I mentioned earlier in the day, for many Republican candidates running for office means also making a pilgrimage to Donald Trump or Mar-a-Lago (or both). That’s exactly what’s happening for multiple statewide candidates around the country. |
| The Long and Mandel fundraisers underscore the influence Trump still has within the party even after presiding over Republicans losing control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. | The Long and Mandel fundraisers underscore the influence Trump still has within the party even after presiding over Republicans losing control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. |
| Breaking news on the prosecution front of the 6 January Capitol riot: | Breaking news on the prosecution front of the 6 January Capitol riot: |
| Background on the arrests and alleged involvement of Ethan Nordean and Joe Biggs here: | Background on the arrests and alleged involvement of Ethan Nordean and Joe Biggs here: |
| White House press secretary Jen Psaki is holding a media briefing. As closing arguments continue in the trial of Derek Chauvin, accused of murdering George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Psaki said it was important that people were able to protest peacefully. | White House press secretary Jen Psaki is holding a media briefing. As closing arguments continue in the trial of Derek Chauvin, accused of murdering George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Psaki said it was important that people were able to protest peacefully. |
| “We’re not going to get ahead of the verdict,” Psaki said. The jury will be sequestered as it considers its verdict, a process that is expected to begin at the end of closing arguments, later today. | “We’re not going to get ahead of the verdict,” Psaki said. The jury will be sequestered as it considers its verdict, a process that is expected to begin at the end of closing arguments, later today. |
| The jury was told to bring a packed bag with them today, ready to be sequestered. | The jury was told to bring a packed bag with them today, ready to be sequestered. |
| Psaki said the White House wanted to make sure that “there is space for peaceful protest, but we will allow the jury to deliberate”. | Psaki said the White House wanted to make sure that “there is space for peaceful protest, but we will allow the jury to deliberate”. |
| Guardian US has a separate live blog dedicated to covering the Chauvin trial and related topics. There’s a livestream from court. You can read that here. | Guardian US has a separate live blog dedicated to covering the Chauvin trial and related topics. There’s a livestream from court. You can read that here. |
| The Republican leader in the House and an extremist congresswoman who champions “Anglo-Saxon political traditions” have demanded action against the Democrat Maxine Waters, after she expressed support for protesters against police brutality. | The Republican leader in the House and an extremist congresswoman who champions “Anglo-Saxon political traditions” have demanded action against the Democrat Maxine Waters, after she expressed support for protesters against police brutality. |
| On Saturday, Waters spoke in Brooklyn Center, the Minneapolis suburb where Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, was shot and killed by police last week. | On Saturday, Waters spoke in Brooklyn Center, the Minneapolis suburb where Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, was shot and killed by police last week. |
| The California congresswoman spoke before final arguments on Monday in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis officer who knelt on the neck of George Floyd for more than nine minutes last May, resulting in the Black man’s death and global protests. | The California congresswoman spoke before final arguments on Monday in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis officer who knelt on the neck of George Floyd for more than nine minutes last May, resulting in the Black man’s death and global protests. |
| “I’m going to fight with all of the people who stand for justice,” said Waters, who is Black. “We’ve got to get justice in this country and we cannot allow these killings to continue.” | “I’m going to fight with all of the people who stand for justice,” said Waters, who is Black. “We’ve got to get justice in this country and we cannot allow these killings to continue.” |
| Tensions are high in Minneapolis. | Tensions are high in Minneapolis. |
| Waters said: “We’ve got to stay on the street and we’ve got to get more active, we’ve got to get more confrontational. We’ve got to make sure that they know that we mean business.” | Waters said: “We’ve got to stay on the street and we’ve got to get more active, we’ve got to get more confrontational. We’ve got to make sure that they know that we mean business.” |
| Reuters reports from this morning’s Covid briefing by the White House, in which it has been announced that the US “is reviewing reports of potential additional cases of severe side effects among people who received Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 shot, beyond the half-dozen cases of serious blood clots that caused it to pause administration of the vaccine earlier this month”. | Reuters reports from this morning’s Covid briefing by the White House, in which it has been announced that the US “is reviewing reports of potential additional cases of severe side effects among people who received Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 shot, beyond the half-dozen cases of serious blood clots that caused it to pause administration of the vaccine earlier this month”. |
| Here’s more on the subject from our health reporter, Jessica Glenza: | Here’s more on the subject from our health reporter, Jessica Glenza: |
| Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia has signed on as a co-sponsor of the PRO Act, legislation aimed at overhauling workers’ rights and empower them in disputes. | Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia has signed on as a co-sponsor of the PRO Act, legislation aimed at overhauling workers’ rights and empower them in disputes. |
| The support of Manchin is important. He’s one of the most conservative senators in the Democratic caucus and has made headlines lately for bucking his party at moments. His support for the bill will give other lawmakers cover to support it. | The support of Manchin is important. He’s one of the most conservative senators in the Democratic caucus and has made headlines lately for bucking his party at moments. His support for the bill will give other lawmakers cover to support it. |
| Here’s the Bloomberg News’s description of the proposal, which has already passed through the House of Representatives: | Here’s the Bloomberg News’s description of the proposal, which has already passed through the House of Representatives: |
| The White House released a 19-second video where Joe Biden says as of today everyone is eligible to receive a vaccine and the stockpile is large enough to facilitate that. Watch below: | The White House released a 19-second video where Joe Biden says as of today everyone is eligible to receive a vaccine and the stockpile is large enough to facilitate that. Watch below: |
| On the target date for nationwide availability of Covid-19 vaccines, the White House has started a campaign aimed at Americans still hesitant to sign up for a life-saving jab. | On the target date for nationwide availability of Covid-19 vaccines, the White House has started a campaign aimed at Americans still hesitant to sign up for a life-saving jab. |
| About a quarter of the US population is fully vaccinated, a landmark achievement almost unimaginable this time last year. But even though more than 567,000 have died in the US, vaccine hesitancy or politically inspired opposition are dogging attempts to end the pandemic. | About a quarter of the US population is fully vaccinated, a landmark achievement almost unimaginable this time last year. But even though more than 567,000 have died in the US, vaccine hesitancy or politically inspired opposition are dogging attempts to end the pandemic. |
| Chief White House medical adviser Dr Anthony Fauci is among officials reaching out to communities skeptical of the vaccines. | Chief White House medical adviser Dr Anthony Fauci is among officials reaching out to communities skeptical of the vaccines. |
| Black and Latino communities have received the vaccine at lower rates, though whether that is because of hesitancy or lack of access remains unclear. Although a legacy of experimentation and racism haunts US healthcare in general, polling suggests Black Americans are as eager to be inoculated as white. | Black and Latino communities have received the vaccine at lower rates, though whether that is because of hesitancy or lack of access remains unclear. Although a legacy of experimentation and racism haunts US healthcare in general, polling suggests Black Americans are as eager to be inoculated as white. |
| Many conservatives openly decry Covid-19 regulations. Among 28% of white evangelical Christians, vaccines are seen as a non-starter. | Many conservatives openly decry Covid-19 regulations. Among 28% of white evangelical Christians, vaccines are seen as a non-starter. |
| “I’ll just tell you today, if being anti-mask and anti-vaccine is anti-government, then I’m proud to be anti-government,” Pastor Tony Spell recently told congregants at Life Tabernacle Church in Louisiana. | “I’ll just tell you today, if being anti-mask and anti-vaccine is anti-government, then I’m proud to be anti-government,” Pastor Tony Spell recently told congregants at Life Tabernacle Church in Louisiana. |
| “If you have a 99.6% survival rate, why do you want somebody to contaminate your bloodstream with something that may or may not hurt you?” | “If you have a 99.6% survival rate, why do you want somebody to contaminate your bloodstream with something that may or may not hurt you?” |
| To combat such views, surrogates for Joe Biden will appear on TV and radio programs popular among Black Americans, Latinos and conservatives, Axios first reported. The administration is also partnering with social media companies and community partners. Fauci, 80, is even taking to Snapchat. | To combat such views, surrogates for Joe Biden will appear on TV and radio programs popular among Black Americans, Latinos and conservatives, Axios first reported. The administration is also partnering with social media companies and community partners. Fauci, 80, is even taking to Snapchat. |
| The targeted messaging also comes after officials temporarily benched the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine amid rare reports of blood clots, an announcement that further stoked anxieties. Jeffrey Zients, the White House Covid-19 coordinator, said last week the pause should “give the American people confidence” rather than concern. | The targeted messaging also comes after officials temporarily benched the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine amid rare reports of blood clots, an announcement that further stoked anxieties. Jeffrey Zients, the White House Covid-19 coordinator, said last week the pause should “give the American people confidence” rather than concern. |
| “We believe that by empowering Americans with data and facts we will strengthen the public’s trust in government and increase their confidence in the vaccines,” Zients said. | “We believe that by empowering Americans with data and facts we will strengthen the public’s trust in government and increase their confidence in the vaccines,” Zients said. |
| Politico reports that Biden officials are frustrated with the slow movement health and human services secretary Xavier Becerra’s team have had on housing unaccompanied minors who came through the southern border: | Politico reports that Biden officials are frustrated with the slow movement health and human services secretary Xavier Becerra’s team have had on housing unaccompanied minors who came through the southern border: |
| This Politico report illustrates the struggle the Biden administration has experienced on dealing with immigration through the southern border. Last week, the Biden administration backtracked after initially saying it wouldn’t follow through on a pledge to let tens of thousands of refugees fleeing danger to come into the united States. | This Politico report illustrates the struggle the Biden administration has experienced on dealing with immigration through the southern border. Last week, the Biden administration backtracked after initially saying it wouldn’t follow through on a pledge to let tens of thousands of refugees fleeing danger to come into the united States. |
| Plenty of attention is given to which potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate has visited with former president Donald Trump or traveled to Mar-a-Lago for a fundraiser. But less attention has gone to where else these likely contenders are going. The Hill’s Scott Wong reports that one place is the Republican Study Committee, a congressional group made up of conservative lawmakers: | Plenty of attention is given to which potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate has visited with former president Donald Trump or traveled to Mar-a-Lago for a fundraiser. But less attention has gone to where else these likely contenders are going. The Hill’s Scott Wong reports that one place is the Republican Study Committee, a congressional group made up of conservative lawmakers: |
| Notably, there’s this nugget: | Notably, there’s this nugget: |
| Once upon a time the RSC was the conservative group to woo. Since then more aggressive outside groups and caucuses have formed. The attention they’re getting from expected 2024 hopefuls shows the RSC still has some sway. | Once upon a time the RSC was the conservative group to woo. Since then more aggressive outside groups and caucuses have formed. The attention they’re getting from expected 2024 hopefuls shows the RSC still has some sway. |
| Big news on the American campaign front. Congressman Steve Stivers of Ohio has decided not to run for the U.S. Senate and is planning to leave Congress. | Big news on the American campaign front. Congressman Steve Stivers of Ohio has decided not to run for the U.S. Senate and is planning to leave Congress. |
| Stivers, it’s important to note, is a former chairman of congressional Republicans’ campaign arm. He had also amassed a not insignificant warchest. | Stivers, it’s important to note, is a former chairman of congressional Republicans’ campaign arm. He had also amassed a not insignificant warchest. |
| Stivers’ district has trended Republican in the last few cycles but Democrats have won it at times. That’s an important point to keep in mind in a Congress where Democrats control the House of Representatives by only six seats with five vacant. | Stivers’ district has trended Republican in the last few cycles but Democrats have won it at times. That’s an important point to keep in mind in a Congress where Democrats control the House of Representatives by only six seats with five vacant. |
| The Biden administration has directed agencies to stop using the phrases like “illegal alien” or “assimilation” in reference to immigrants. The Washington Post’s Maria Sacchetti has more: | The Biden administration has directed agencies to stop using the phrases like “illegal alien” or “assimilation” in reference to immigrants. The Washington Post’s Maria Sacchetti has more: |
| Kimberly Guilfoyle, the former Fox News television personality-turned-Donald-Trump-adviser-and-surrogate, is chairing former Governor Eric Greitens’ of Missouri’s Senate campaign. | Kimberly Guilfoyle, the former Fox News television personality-turned-Donald-Trump-adviser-and-surrogate, is chairing former Governor Eric Greitens’ of Missouri’s Senate campaign. |
| There’s a lot to unpack here. Guilfoyle is not the first former Trump adviser to sign on to a Republican Senate campaign. Kellyanne Conway, a former senior counselor to the president during the Trump administration, is advising Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno of Ohio. | There’s a lot to unpack here. Guilfoyle is not the first former Trump adviser to sign on to a Republican Senate campaign. Kellyanne Conway, a former senior counselor to the president during the Trump administration, is advising Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno of Ohio. |
| Greitens, political junkies will recall, is the former Missouri governor who resigned from office over allegations of blackmail and having an affair. He admitted to the affair but denied the allegations of blackmail. | Greitens, political junkies will recall, is the former Missouri governor who resigned from office over allegations of blackmail and having an affair. He admitted to the affair but denied the allegations of blackmail. |
| Greiteins tenure as governor was, as St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum put it, “rocky”: | Greiteins tenure as governor was, as St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum put it, “rocky”: |
| A group of high profile progressive lawmakers plan to roll out legislation aimed at moving the country more toward using renewable energy and modernizing public housing, according to The New York Times’ Emily Cochrane: | A group of high profile progressive lawmakers plan to roll out legislation aimed at moving the country more toward using renewable energy and modernizing public housing, according to The New York Times’ Emily Cochrane: |
| The legislation is unlikely to rally a lot of Republican support. Congressional Republicans have used the initial Green New Deal proposal to bash Democrats. | The legislation is unlikely to rally a lot of Republican support. Congressional Republicans have used the initial Green New Deal proposal to bash Democrats. |
| Goodmorning, Daniel Strauss here. I’ll be your initial blogger today. Let’s get started. | Goodmorning, Daniel Strauss here. I’ll be your initial blogger today. Let’s get started. |
| Joe Biden is slated to meet with a group of members of Congress to discuss his American Jobs Plan. The meeting will be in the Oval Office, according to the White House. | Joe Biden is slated to meet with a group of members of Congress to discuss his American Jobs Plan. The meeting will be in the Oval Office, according to the White House. |
| “These former state and local elected officials understand firsthand the impact of a federal investment in rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure on their communities.” | “These former state and local elected officials understand firsthand the impact of a federal investment in rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure on their communities.” |
| The lawmakers are: Senator John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota, Senator Angus King of Maine, Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri, Congressman Charlie Crist of Florida, Carlos Giménez of Florida, Kay Granger of Texas, and Norma Torres of California. | The lawmakers are: Senator John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota, Senator Angus King of Maine, Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri, Congressman Charlie Crist of Florida, Carlos Giménez of Florida, Kay Granger of Texas, and Norma Torres of California. |
| The meeting is the latest example of White House officials or the president himself meeting with members of Congress as they try and move Biden’s agenda. It’s one of a number of meetings happening this week. Gina Raimondo, the treasury secretary, and Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary, will meet with the Senate Democratic Steering Committee on Wednesday. On Thursday, Brian Deese, the director of Biden’s national economic council, and Anita Dunn, another close Biden adviser, will meet with the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. | The meeting is the latest example of White House officials or the president himself meeting with members of Congress as they try and move Biden’s agenda. It’s one of a number of meetings happening this week. Gina Raimondo, the treasury secretary, and Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary, will meet with the Senate Democratic Steering Committee on Wednesday. On Thursday, Brian Deese, the director of Biden’s national economic council, and Anita Dunn, another close Biden adviser, will meet with the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. |
| For Democrats, the bipartisan meetings offer a bit of cover against Republican complaints that they were not involved in the legislation Biden is hoping to pass and therefore the president isn’t following through on a key premise of his presidential candidacy -uniting the country. These meetings allow Democrats to argue he is following through. | For Democrats, the bipartisan meetings offer a bit of cover against Republican complaints that they were not involved in the legislation Biden is hoping to pass and therefore the president isn’t following through on a key premise of his presidential candidacy -uniting the country. These meetings allow Democrats to argue he is following through. |