House Democratic moderates threaten Pelosi’s strategy and demand immediate vote on infrastructure bill
By Manu Raju and Daniella Diaz Nine Democratic House moderates are threatening to withhold their support for their party’s must-pass budget resolution until Speaker Nancy Pelosi changes course and instead allows their chamber to first vote on the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan the Senate approved this week. The threat, outlined in a letter provided to CNN, could put Pelosi’s plans in jeopardy to advance the budget resolution later this month since she can only afford to lose three votes from her caucus in the chamber that they narrowly control. “We will not consider voting for a budget resolution until
John Roberts and the Supreme Court might block anything Democrats do on voting rights
By Tierney Sneed A key piece of congressional Democrats’ voting rights push faces not only a near-impossible odds of becoming law, but also a daunting court battle in front of a conservative judiciary if it does. The legislation, known as the “John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act,” is now a focus of the House and is expected to be part of the voting rights package negotiated in the Senate to win over West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin’s support. The bill would restore a provision of the Voting Rights Act meant to address racial discrimination that was gutted by the
56 years after the Voting Rights Act of 1965, lawmakers struggle to find common ground
By Shawna Mizelle President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law on August 6, 1965. The legislation served to protect and enforce the 14th and 15th Amendments of the Constitution. It was enacted in response to voter suppression in the 1960s by state governments, local governments and law enforcement, and prohibited states from denying a person the right to vote based on race or color and banned discriminatory literacy tests. The monumental law was prompted by a series of civil rights movements and events. Most notably, the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March in Alabama, which
Senate Republicans block effort by Democrats to advance voting and election bill
By Clare Foran and Daniella Diaz, Senate Republicans blocked an attempt by DemocratsĀ to advance their signature voting and elections overhaul billĀ in the early hours of Wednesday morning. This was an effort by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democrats in the chamber to put Republicans on the record on the voting rights package and to demonstrate that they are still trying to pass it despite stiff GOP opposition,Ā a priority for the party and the Biden administration. Democratic senators have argued that the legislation is a necessary counter to state-level efforts to restrict voting access, but Republicans have decried it as
Harris to promote ‘America is back’ message in Singapore and Vietnam
By Betsy Klein Vice President Kamala HarrisĀ is set to travel to Singapore and Vietnam later this month, becoming the highest-ranking Biden administration official to visit Asia so far. “Her trip will build on the Biden-Harris Administration’s message to the world: America is back,” her office said in a statement. The statement continued, “Our Administration sees Asia as a critically important region in the world. The Vice President’s visit will emphasize the importance of comprehensive engagement and strategic partnerships — key components of our Administration’s approach to foreign policy.” During meetings with government officials, the private sector, and civil society leaders,
Biden celebrates a bipartisan win after Senate passes massive infrastructure bill
By Maegan Vazquez President Joe Biden celebratedĀ the Senate’s passage of a historic, sweeping $1.2 trillionĀ bipartisan package on Tuesday,Ā a step toward fulfilling a key itemĀ in his legislative agenda that also amounts to the biggest bipartisan win of his presidency so far. “The death of this legislation was mildly premature,” Biden said during a speech at the White House Tuesday afternoon. “After years and years of ‘Infrastructure Week,’ we are on the cusp of an infrastructure decade that I truly believe will transform America.” Biden, standing alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, said that he “never believed” critics who have characterized his calls
Judge signs order temporarily blocking arrest of quorum-busting Texas Democrats
By Dianne Gallagher, Wesley Bruer and Jade Gordon Texas DemocratsĀ who left the state last month in an attempt to stop the passage of restrictive voting bills can now return home to continue their protest without fear of being arrested, after a judge on Monday issued a temporary restraining order. The order, signed by Travis County State District Judge Brad Urrutia, keeps Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan from “issuing any warrant or other instrument” and “detaining, confining, or otherwise restricting a Texas House Democrat’s movement without his or her consent.” It also prevents them from “commanding
Schumer sets up final vote on $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill for Tuesday
By Clare Foran, Ali Zaslav and Paul LeBlanc The massiveĀ $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure packageĀ is poised for a final vote in the Senate on Tuesday morning after clearing the last procedural hurdle following months of furious negotiations. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Monday evening that Republicans and Democrats have reached an agreement for final passage of the bill on Tuesday at 11 a.m. ET. Once the bill passes the Senate, it will go to the House of Representatives. “This is a very good day,” Schumer said in floor remarks on Monday night. “We have come to an agreement after all
Senate heads toward final vote on bipartisan infrastructure package this week
By Paul LeBlanc The massiveĀ $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure packageĀ is poised for a final vote in the Senate this week after clearing the last procedural hurdle following months of furious negotiations. The chamber on Sunday evening voted 68-29 to invoke cloture on the underlying legislation, setting up a final vote after the 30-hour post-cloture time expires early Tuesday morning, unless there’s an agreement to speed up the process. Following the vote on Tuesday, the Senate will quickly shift their attention to the budget resolution, which needs to pass both chambers of Congress first before Democrats can move on their separate $3.5
Freshman Rep. Cori Bush in national spotlight for her activism to fight eviction
By Sunlen Serfaty and Clare Foran Freshman Democratic Rep. Cori Bush has captured national attention for her high-profile activism afterĀ she slept on the steps of the US CapitolĀ for several days to protest a lapse in the federal eviction moratorium amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Missouri lawmaker’s actions culminated in a major victory for progressives on Tuesday when the Biden administrationĀ announced a 60-day eviction banĀ in areas of the country with high or substantial transmission of Covid-19. “I’m elated and I’m overwhelmed because just the thought that so many people right now, millions of people, will not be forced out on the