Democratic push to make it easier to prosecute officers emerges as sticking point in policing bill talks
By Manu Raju A sweeping bill to overhaul policing practices in the United States still faces an uncertain future — in large part because the two sides remain at sharp odds over whether to make it easier to criminally prosecute officers. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, the lead GOP negotiator, opposes Democratic efforts to lower the legal standard to prosecute individual officers. “(Section 242) is off the table for me,” Scott said, referring to the part of the law that Democrats are trying to amend. But California Rep. Karen Bass, the lead House Democratic negotiator, said Thursday the issue is
Infrastructure negotiations: Republicans unveil $600 billion framework as Democrats try to iron out issues
By Lauren Fox The real work of finalizing an infrastructure package that can have widespread Democratic support on Capitol Hill is just beginning as the party must reckon with key differences between progressives and moderates on the scope and cost of the package — as well as GOP lawmakers offering their own alternative. While progressives are losing patience quickly with any discussion on bipartisanship, Democrats in the middle are still clinging to hopes that they can find consensus. The White House has invited key Republicans for discussions, but still GOP senators introduced an infrastructure proposal Thursday that is just a
Atlanta mayor: ‘More effective way’ than boycotts to get necessary voting reform
By Caroline Kelly Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on Wednesday urged those looking to boycott Georgia-based companies over the state’s new elections law to instead vote and back federal voting legislation. “My concern with a boycott, not just at Home Depot but any of the … Fortune 500 companies that are headquartered in Atlanta, is that you will impact families like ours,” she told CNN’s Erin Burnett on “Erin Burnett OutFront,” referencing her husband’s employment at Home Depot. “And I do think that there is a more effective way for us to get the necessary change that’s needed in the
GOP senator floats compromise on policing legislation as bipartisan talks pick up pace
By Manu Raju, Jessica Dean and Ted Barrett The lead Senate GOP negotiator over new policing legislation is floating a compromise on a major sticking point that has derailed past efforts to curb excessive force by law enforcement: civil lawsuit protections currently afforded to police officers. The issue of so-called qualified immunity has been a flashpoint in talks over legislation aimed at imposing new police practices across the country, helping to derail legislation last summer amid nationwide protests in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last May. But on Wednesday, Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South
Biden to announce US will aim to cut carbon emissions by as much as 52% by 2030 at virtual climate summit
By Kate Sullivan and Kevin Liptak President Joe Biden on Thursday will kick off a climate summit attended by 40 other world leaders by announcing an ambitious cut in greenhouse gas emissions as he looks to put the US back at the center of the global effort to address the climate crisis and curb carbon emissions. At the White House summit, which will take place virtually on Thursday and Friday, Biden will commit the United States to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50%-52% below its 2005 emissions levels by 2030. Officials said Biden and his team arrived at the
The number of Black women mayors leading major cities to reach historic high. Here is why they are winning
By Nicquel Terry Ellis A new wave of Black women are breaking barriers as they ascend to mayoral seats in cities with deeply rooted histories of racism and inequality. On Tuesday, Tishaura Jones will be sworn in as the first Black female mayor of St. Louis after winning the election earlier this month. Her victory came just two weeks after Kim Janey was appointed Boston’s first Black female mayor following the resignation of Marty Walsh, who is now the US Labor Secretary. Janey recently announced she would run for a full term in this year’s mayoral election. With the ascension
Val Demings rebukes Jim Jordan in fiery exchange over law enforcement: ‘Did I strike a nerve?’
By Paul LeBlanc Democratic Rep. Val Demings and Republican Rep. Jim Jordan had a heated exchange Tuesday during a House Judiciary hearing after Jordan tried to cut Demings short as she spoke about law enforcement. Tensions escalated during debate over the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act, which would address the surge of hate crimes against Asian Americans. Republicans had introduced an amendment that would prevent the defunding of police departments even though the legislation does not seek to strip law enforcement funding. “I want to make it quite clear that this amendment is completely irrelevant,” Demings, who served as chief of
Nex Cubed announces Franklin Templeton as second founding partner for HBCU Founder’s Program
Nex Cubed, a leader in early-stage innovation and startup acceleration, announced Franklin Templeton as the second Founding Partner for its HBCU Founder’s Program. Diversity and inclusion are a key goal of the global investment firm with nearly 60% of Nex Cubed’s portfolio of companies being led by female and minority founders. It launched the HBCU Founder’s Program in an effort to support students and recent alumni at HBCUs in their pursuit of entrepreneurship. Franklin Templeton will join AT&T as Founding Partners of the HBCU Founder’s Program. As a Founding Partner, Franklin Templeton will help inform the FinTech program offerings as
Harris says verdict in Chauvin trial ‘will not heal the pain that existed for generations’
Harris says verdict in Chauvin trial ‘will not heal the pain that existed for generations’ By Kevin Liptak Vice President Kamala Harris said Tuesday the country is hungry for justice following the death of George Floyd, but acknowledged even a verdict finding former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of Floyd’s murder would not erase generations of trauma caused by systemic racism. “I think there needs to be a consequence and accountability for people who break the law. Period,” Harris told CNN’s Dana Bash in an exclusive interview from the White House, her first solo sit-down interview with CNN since