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| Neera Tanden joins White House as senior adviser – US politics live | Neera Tanden joins White House as senior adviser – US politics live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Tanden was rebuffed as Biden’s pick to lead Office of Management and Budget – follow the day’s politics news | Tanden was rebuffed as Biden’s pick to lead Office of Management and Budget – follow the day’s politics news |
| Joe Biden has revoked Trump’s executive order on building a “National Garden of American Heroes”. | |
| Trump had announced the order at last year’s Independence Day celebration at Mount Rushmore. The proposed garden would feature sculptures of various public figures – specifying a variety of names including John Adams, Muhammed Ali, Shirley Temple, Grover Cleveland, and the Marquis de La Fayette. | |
| Funding for the project had not yet been secured. | |
| Liz Cheney said she regretted voting for Donald Trump. | Liz Cheney said she regretted voting for Donald Trump. |
| “I was never going to support Joe Biden,” she told ABC News. But, she said, “I do regret the vote” for Trump. Cheney was ousted as House GOP chair and replaced with New York representative Elise Stefanik over her refusal to endorse Trump’s “big lie” that the election was stolen from him. | |
| “It was a vote based on policy, based on substance and in terms of the kinds of policies he put forward that were good for the country. But I think it’s fair to say that I regret the vote,” she told ABC’s Jonathan Karl. | |
| Cheney also said that House minority leader Kevin McCarthy, who spoke with Trump on 6 January, should testify before a commission on that day’s events. According to representative Jamie Herrera Beutler, a Republican of Washington, McCarthy asked Trump to call off his supporters. Trump reportedly responded: “Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are.” | |
| Cheney has been defiant – doubling down on her position that loyalty to Trump is not the best way forward for the party. Critics are dubious of her rhetoric the sanctity of elections, however, given her unwillingness to vote for or support legislation to prevent voter suppression. | Cheney has been defiant – doubling down on her position that loyalty to Trump is not the best way forward for the party. Critics are dubious of her rhetoric the sanctity of elections, however, given her unwillingness to vote for or support legislation to prevent voter suppression. |
| Here’s a quick summary of what’s happened so far today: | Here’s a quick summary of what’s happened so far today: |
| House Republicans elected Elise Stefanik of New York to replace Liz Cheney as the party’s conference chair. In a speech after her election, Stefanik thanked Donald Trump and said Republican voters are “unified” in their support of the former president. | House Republicans elected Elise Stefanik of New York to replace Liz Cheney as the party’s conference chair. In a speech after her election, Stefanik thanked Donald Trump and said Republican voters are “unified” in their support of the former president. |
| Joel Greenberg, a former Florida tax collector, pleaded guilty to a series of federal crimes. He agreed to cooperate with the justice department on investigations involving alleged sex trafficking of a minor, including a probe into Republican representative Matt Gaetz. | Joel Greenberg, a former Florida tax collector, pleaded guilty to a series of federal crimes. He agreed to cooperate with the justice department on investigations involving alleged sex trafficking of a minor, including a probe into Republican representative Matt Gaetz. |
| The House’s homeland security committee announced that a bipartisan commission will create a report of the definitive facts of what happened during the 6 January insurrection at the US Capitol. House Democrats also unveiled a $1.9bn bill to fund the Capitol’s bolstered security following the attack. | The House’s homeland security committee announced that a bipartisan commission will create a report of the definitive facts of what happened during the 6 January insurrection at the US Capitol. House Democrats also unveiled a $1.9bn bill to fund the Capitol’s bolstered security following the attack. |
| CNN uncovered footage of Republican extremist Marjorie Taylor Greene provoking representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in February 2019 by speaking through the mail slot of Ocasio-Cortez’s office. In response to the footage, Ocasio-Cortez said it is clear Greene is “deeply unwell”. | CNN uncovered footage of Republican extremist Marjorie Taylor Greene provoking representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in February 2019 by speaking through the mail slot of Ocasio-Cortez’s office. In response to the footage, Ocasio-Cortez said it is clear Greene is “deeply unwell”. |
| Stay tuned for more live updates. | Stay tuned for more live updates. |
| Though it appears that some House Republicans have reluctantly reached a compromise with Democrats over how to formally address the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol, some House Republicans are still staunch defenders of those who instigated the attack. | Though it appears that some House Republicans have reluctantly reached a compromise with Democrats over how to formally address the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol, some House Republicans are still staunch defenders of those who instigated the attack. |
| Representative Louie Gohmert, a Republican from Texas, gave an hour-long speech today on the House floor, calling the insurrectionists “peaceful Americans” and saying that the imprisonment of the rioters, of which about 440 have since been arrested, is making them “political prisoners held hostage by their own government.” | Representative Louie Gohmert, a Republican from Texas, gave an hour-long speech today on the House floor, calling the insurrectionists “peaceful Americans” and saying that the imprisonment of the rioters, of which about 440 have since been arrested, is making them “political prisoners held hostage by their own government.” |
| “You could call it a conspiracy because these people are working to silence anybody who supports Donald Trump,” Gohmert said. | “You could call it a conspiracy because these people are working to silence anybody who supports Donald Trump,” Gohmert said. |
| Gohmert is not alone in his defense of those who stormed the Capitol. Republican representatives have downplayed the attack, saying that it was not an insurrection. David Cicilline, a Democratic representative from Rhode Island, has started to push for the censure of three other House members who have denied the severity of the attack. | Gohmert is not alone in his defense of those who stormed the Capitol. Republican representatives have downplayed the attack, saying that it was not an insurrection. David Cicilline, a Democratic representative from Rhode Island, has started to push for the censure of three other House members who have denied the severity of the attack. |
| The attack on the Capitol led to five deaths and millions of dollars in property damage. Despite strong sentiments from some Republican House members, the chamber’s homeland security committee agreed to a bipartisan commission that will analyze the happenings of the insurrection and provide recommendations on how future attacks can be prevented. | The attack on the Capitol led to five deaths and millions of dollars in property damage. Despite strong sentiments from some Republican House members, the chamber’s homeland security committee agreed to a bipartisan commission that will analyze the happenings of the insurrection and provide recommendations on how future attacks can be prevented. |
| Neera Tanden, who was rebuffed as Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has joined the White House as a senior adviser, according to CNN citing an anonymous White House Official. | Neera Tanden, who was rebuffed as Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has joined the White House as a senior adviser, according to CNN citing an anonymous White House Official. |
| Tanden, a longtime ally to Hillary Clinton and president of liberal think tank Center for American Progress, received criticism for tweets attacking members of both parties once Biden announced she was his pick to lead OMB. Multiple Republicans and Joe Manchin, a key moderate Democratic swing vote, said they would oppose her nomination. Tanden withdrew from her nomination in March following the backlash. | Tanden, a longtime ally to Hillary Clinton and president of liberal think tank Center for American Progress, received criticism for tweets attacking members of both parties once Biden announced she was his pick to lead OMB. Multiple Republicans and Joe Manchin, a key moderate Democratic swing vote, said they would oppose her nomination. Tanden withdrew from her nomination in March following the backlash. |
| One of Tanden’s duties as a senior adviser will be to launch a review of the US Digital Service, which provides IT services to federal agencies, according to CNN. | One of Tanden’s duties as a senior adviser will be to launch a review of the US Digital Service, which provides IT services to federal agencies, according to CNN. |
| Grocery store chain Trader Joe’s said that it will no longer require customers who are fully vaccinated to wear masks in their stores, making it one of the first major chains to adjust its mask policy after the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed its guidelines yesterday. Other chains, such as CVS and Walgreens, have said they are reevaluating their store’s policy but have not announced any updates. | Grocery store chain Trader Joe’s said that it will no longer require customers who are fully vaccinated to wear masks in their stores, making it one of the first major chains to adjust its mask policy after the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed its guidelines yesterday. Other chains, such as CVS and Walgreens, have said they are reevaluating their store’s policy but have not announced any updates. |
| “We encouraged customers to follow the guidance of health officials, including, as appropriate, CDC guidelines that advise customers who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks while shopping,” the company said on its website Friday. Employees will still be required to wear masks. | “We encouraged customers to follow the guidance of health officials, including, as appropriate, CDC guidelines that advise customers who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks while shopping,” the company said on its website Friday. Employees will still be required to wear masks. |
| Some states such as New Jersey and New Jersey still have their mask mandates in place, but state leaders have said they are reviewing their policies after the change in guidance. | Some states such as New Jersey and New Jersey still have their mask mandates in place, but state leaders have said they are reviewing their policies after the change in guidance. |
| Along with the 10-person commission that will investigate the 6 January insurrection on the US Capitol, House Democrats also introduced a $1.9bn emergency funding bill to pay the National Guard, DC police and Capitol police forces for securing the Capitol in the months after the insurrection and damages that were caused by the attack. | Along with the 10-person commission that will investigate the 6 January insurrection on the US Capitol, House Democrats also introduced a $1.9bn emergency funding bill to pay the National Guard, DC police and Capitol police forces for securing the Capitol in the months after the insurrection and damages that were caused by the attack. |
| More than $500m in the bill will go toward measures to improve security on the Hill, including new fencing, security sensors and cameras in Capitol buildings and offices. The bill also allocates funding for a “Quick Reaction Force” and body cameras for Capitol police officers. | More than $500m in the bill will go toward measures to improve security on the Hill, including new fencing, security sensors and cameras in Capitol buildings and offices. The bill also allocates funding for a “Quick Reaction Force” and body cameras for Capitol police officers. |
| “The needs are urgent, so it is imperative we swiftly pass this legislation to protect the Capitol and those who work and visit here,” said House appropriations chair Rosa DeLauro, who introduced the bill. | “The needs are urgent, so it is imperative we swiftly pass this legislation to protect the Capitol and those who work and visit here,” said House appropriations chair Rosa DeLauro, who introduced the bill. |
| The justice department now has the cooperation of a potential key witness in its investigation into whether Republican representative Matt Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws by allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and paying for her to travel with him, according to court documents released Friday. | The justice department now has the cooperation of a potential key witness in its investigation into whether Republican representative Matt Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws by allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and paying for her to travel with him, according to court documents released Friday. |
| Joel Greenberg, a Florida tax collector, has pleaded guilty to paying a 17-year-old girl for sex, introducing her to others who also “engaged in commercial sex acts” and providing her with drugs. Other people involved were not specified in the documents, though Gaetz is allegedly one of the people who was involved with the girl. Gaetz has denied the allegations and said that people are trying to “recategorize my generosity to ex-girlfriends”. | Joel Greenberg, a Florida tax collector, has pleaded guilty to paying a 17-year-old girl for sex, introducing her to others who also “engaged in commercial sex acts” and providing her with drugs. Other people involved were not specified in the documents, though Gaetz is allegedly one of the people who was involved with the girl. Gaetz has denied the allegations and said that people are trying to “recategorize my generosity to ex-girlfriends”. |
| Greenberg also admitted to other crimes, including identity theft and defrauding the federal government. He faces 12 years in prison, though the justice department could file a motion for a shorter sentence if his cooperation results in the prosecution of others involved. | Greenberg also admitted to other crimes, including identity theft and defrauding the federal government. He faces 12 years in prison, though the justice department could file a motion for a shorter sentence if his cooperation results in the prosecution of others involved. |
| Lawmakers are negotiating Joe Biden’s $2.3tn infrastructure package, particularly how the White House plans to pay for the bill. At a press conference today, White House press secretary Jen Psaki reiterated that Biden will not support a bill that raising taxes for anyone earning less than $400,000 a year. The White House has also said that it will not be proposing a “gas tax” that would tax people based off the number of miles they drive in a vehicle. | Lawmakers are negotiating Joe Biden’s $2.3tn infrastructure package, particularly how the White House plans to pay for the bill. At a press conference today, White House press secretary Jen Psaki reiterated that Biden will not support a bill that raising taxes for anyone earning less than $400,000 a year. The White House has also said that it will not be proposing a “gas tax” that would tax people based off the number of miles they drive in a vehicle. |
| Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell said he believes an infrastructure should cost between $600bn and $800bn at most, meaning Republicans and Democrats have a lot to negotiate over in the coming weeks. Republicans are expected to offer up a counter proposal next week. | Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell said he believes an infrastructure should cost between $600bn and $800bn at most, meaning Republicans and Democrats have a lot to negotiate over in the coming weeks. Republicans are expected to offer up a counter proposal next week. |
| Here’s a quick summary of what’s happened so far today: | Here’s a quick summary of what’s happened so far today: |
| House Republicans elected Elise Stefanik of New York to replace Liz Cheney as the party’s conference chair. In a speech after her election, Stefanik thanked Donald Trump and said Republican voters are “unified” in their support of the former president. | House Republicans elected Elise Stefanik of New York to replace Liz Cheney as the party’s conference chair. In a speech after her election, Stefanik thanked Donald Trump and said Republican voters are “unified” in their support of the former president. |
| The House’s homeland security committee announced that a bipartisan commission will create a report of the definitive facts of what happened during the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol. | The House’s homeland security committee announced that a bipartisan commission will create a report of the definitive facts of what happened during the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol. |
| CNN uncovered footage of Republican extremist Marjorie Taylor Greene provoking representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in February 2019 by speaking through the mail slot of Ocasio-Cortez’s office. In response to the footage, Ocasio-Cortez said it is clear Greene is “deeply unwell”. | CNN uncovered footage of Republican extremist Marjorie Taylor Greene provoking representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in February 2019 by speaking through the mail slot of Ocasio-Cortez’s office. In response to the footage, Ocasio-Cortez said it is clear Greene is “deeply unwell”. |
| Stay tuned for more live updates. | Stay tuned for more live updates. |
| A new New York Times story points out just how influential Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s logo, with its bold, slanted text, was to future progressive candidates who emulated her poster’s style. It’s now seen all over the country in races big and small and was even used by a communist candidate in France. | A new New York Times story points out just how influential Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s logo, with its bold, slanted text, was to future progressive candidates who emulated her poster’s style. It’s now seen all over the country in races big and small and was even used by a communist candidate in France. |
| Gavan Fitzsimons, a business professor at Duke University, told the Times that copycat posters are likely trying to get potential voters to subconsciously associate the candidate with Ocasio-Cortez. | Gavan Fitzsimons, a business professor at Duke University, told the Times that copycat posters are likely trying to get potential voters to subconsciously associate the candidate with Ocasio-Cortez. |
| “What happens cognitively is it shines a light in your head,” she said. “Essentially what they are doing is borrowing from all the work she has done on the progressive side of the Democratic Party”. | “What happens cognitively is it shines a light in your head,” she said. “Essentially what they are doing is borrowing from all the work she has done on the progressive side of the Democratic Party”. |
| A reporter from The Hill tweeted about an incident he saw between a staffer of Majorie Taylor Greene and Democratic representative Eric Swalwell. | A reporter from The Hill tweeted about an incident he saw between a staffer of Majorie Taylor Greene and Democratic representative Eric Swalwell. |
| Scott Wong, the reporter, said that Nick Dyer, a spokesperson for Green, approached Swalwell and said, “Biden says you can take off your mask”. Swalwell apparently responding, “You don’t tell me what to fucking do!” | Scott Wong, the reporter, said that Nick Dyer, a spokesperson for Green, approached Swalwell and said, “Biden says you can take off your mask”. Swalwell apparently responding, “You don’t tell me what to fucking do!” |
| Commenting on the confrontation, Swalwell said he “told the bully what I thought of his order” and “I regret I wasn’t more explicit”. | Commenting on the confrontation, Swalwell said he “told the bully what I thought of his order” and “I regret I wasn’t more explicit”. |
| The incident speaks to the tension between House Republican and Democrats that have been taking place of the last few days as Republicans criticize the Democrats for keeping mask requirements, while Democrats point out that many Republican members have not been vaccinated. | The incident speaks to the tension between House Republican and Democrats that have been taking place of the last few days as Republicans criticize the Democrats for keeping mask requirements, while Democrats point out that many Republican members have not been vaccinated. |
| Republican extremist Marjorie Taylor Greene is causing a bit of a stir on Capitol Hill as the representative and her team appear to be taking a provocateur’s approach to talking to her fellow Congress members across the aisle. | Republican extremist Marjorie Taylor Greene is causing a bit of a stir on Capitol Hill as the representative and her team appear to be taking a provocateur’s approach to talking to her fellow Congress members across the aisle. |
| Greene confronted representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday, shouting questions at Ocasio-Cortez about why she supports antifa and Black Lives Matter, which she called “terrorist” groups. | Greene confronted representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday, shouting questions at Ocasio-Cortez about why she supports antifa and Black Lives Matter, which she called “terrorist” groups. |
| “You don’t care about the American people,” Green reportedly shouted. “Why do you support terrorists and antifa?” | “You don’t care about the American people,” Green reportedly shouted. “Why do you support terrorists and antifa?” |
| Reports say Ocasio-Cortez, who was walking when confronted by Greene, turned around once and threw up her hands in an exasperated motion in response. | Reports say Ocasio-Cortez, who was walking when confronted by Greene, turned around once and threw up her hands in an exasperated motion in response. |
| CNN also uncovered a since-deleted video of Greene taunting Ocasio-Cortez in February 2019, talking through a mail slot on the representative’s door. | CNN also uncovered a since-deleted video of Greene taunting Ocasio-Cortez in February 2019, talking through a mail slot on the representative’s door. |
| “You need to stop being a baby and stop locking your door and come out and face the American citizens that you serve,” Greene said through the slot as associates around her, which included a conservative livestreamer who took part in the Capitol insurrection, laughed. | “You need to stop being a baby and stop locking your door and come out and face the American citizens that you serve,” Greene said through the slot as associates around her, which included a conservative livestreamer who took part in the Capitol insurrection, laughed. |
| At one point in the video, Greene calls Ocasio-Cortez “crazy eyes. Crazy eyes. Nutty. Cortez,” and mispronounces her last name. | At one point in the video, Greene calls Ocasio-Cortez “crazy eyes. Crazy eyes. Nutty. Cortez,” and mispronounces her last name. |
| In response to the provocations, Ocasio-Cortez told CNN that Greene is “deeply unwell”. | In response to the provocations, Ocasio-Cortez told CNN that Greene is “deeply unwell”. |
| “[She] clearly needs help. And her kind of fixation has lasted for several years now,” she said, adding that Greene’s behavior has “raised concerns for other members as well”. | “[She] clearly needs help. And her kind of fixation has lasted for several years now,” she said, adding that Greene’s behavior has “raised concerns for other members as well”. |
| Ocasio-Cortez’s office said that she has asked House leadership to take steps to ensure that Congress is “a safe, civil place for all members”. | Ocasio-Cortez’s office said that she has asked House leadership to take steps to ensure that Congress is “a safe, civil place for all members”. |
| The Republican party is starting to see a split between older and younger members of the party on climate change. The issue is not on the radar of many older Republicans, while younger conservatives say it’s one of their top priorities. | The Republican party is starting to see a split between older and younger members of the party on climate change. The issue is not on the radar of many older Republicans, while younger conservatives say it’s one of their top priorities. |
| The Guardian’s Oliver Milman has more in a new report on a young Republican congressman who’s telling his party that the issue is nonpartisan. | The Guardian’s Oliver Milman has more in a new report on a young Republican congressman who’s telling his party that the issue is nonpartisan. |