House committee votes to approve bill that would grant DC statehood
By Clare Foran The House Oversight and Reform Committee voted on Wednesday to approve a bill that would grant statehood to Washington, DC, a Democratic priority that faces obstacles for final passage even when the party controls both chambers on Capitol Hill and the White House. The tally was 25-19. “Today is an historic day for our country — and our democracy,” Oversight Chair Carolyn Maloney said in her opening remarks ahead of the vote. “For only the second time in a generation, we will vote on whether hundreds of thousands of American citizens will finally have their voices counted
Amazon, Google, GM, Starbucks and hundreds of companies join to oppose voting restrictions
By Jordan Valinsky Hundreds of prominent executives from high-profile companies, including Amazon, Google, BlackRock and Starbucks, signed a statement that opposes discriminatory legislation that makes voting harder. The statement, printed Wednesday in an advertisement in the New York Times, was organized by Ken Chenault and Ken Frazier, two of America’s most prominent Black corporate leaders. The statement called democracy a “beautifully American ideal” and for it to work, “we must ensure the right to vote for all of us.” “We all should feel a responsibility to defend the right to vote and to oppose any discriminatory legislation on measures that
DOJ nominee Kristen Clarke faces Senate as supporters say civil rights chief is badly needed
By Christina Carrega Kristen Clarke, President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, heads to her Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday as a groundswell of supporters says there’s an urgency for Clarke to take office and lead the team of federal prosecutors to address recent allegations of unconstitutional acts across the country, including police killings of unarmed people of color. If Clarke, 45, is confirmed, she would be the first Black woman to lead this division since its inception in 1957. But Clarke will first have to make it through Wednesday’s Judiciary Committee hearing, which could
The second couple settles in after a stressful start to their life in Washington
By Kate Bennett Three months into her historic vice presidency, Kamala Harris and her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, have finally unpacked their suitcases and are enjoying the comforts of their official residence. The unseasonably warm temperatures and sunny spring skies in Washington over the last week have led them on most recent evenings to walk around outdoors and relax on the veranda at One Observatory Circle — something they weren’t able to do as easily at Blair House, the presidential guest home across the street from the White House, where they spent the chilly early days of their life
Biden and Obama to appear in TV special to promote Covid-19 vaccinations
By Kate Sullivan President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama will appear in an hour-long NBC special on Sunday aimed at promoting Covid-19 vaccinations as they hope to convince hesitant Americans to get shots. The special comes as the Biden administration races to get shots in arms and combat vaccine hesitancy, particularly after it was recommended that the US pause the use of Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine over six reported US cases of a “rare and severe” type of blood clot. The “Roll Up Your Sleeves” special will air at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday on NBC, according
Biden will address a joint session of Congress on April 28
By Devan Cole and Daniella Diaz President Joe Biden will address lawmakers in a joint session of Congress later this month, delivering his first remarks to both chambers nearly 100 days after taking office. Biden was formally invited on Tuesday to speak to Congress on April 28 by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who wrote in a letter to the President that she was extending the invitation so he could “share your vision for addressing the challenges and opportunities of this historic moment.” He accepted her invitation later Tuesday evening. The address will come as his administration continues to respond to
Beshear signs bill in support of Kentucky’s HBCUs
Gov. Andy Beshear signed bill 270 in support of HBCUs and postsecondary education. The bill will increase student services for Kentucky’s HBCUs and create a partnership between Simmons College and Kentucky State University (KSU). The bill allows students attending HBCUs to receive Kentucky tuition grants. In partnership with Simmons College, KSU will now be able to bring its academic offerings to West Louisville, meeting additional students where they are. In addition, KSU can now accept transfer credits from Simmons College. “For generations, Kentucky’s HBCUs have been meeting the need to ensure all students have access to a high-quality education,” said
Biden administration stands down on policing commission, focuses on legislative route instead
By Betsy Klein The Biden administration is standing down on a campaign promise to create a White House-led commission and instead moving forward with its efforts toward passing police reform through legislative channels. “The Biden-Harris Administration strongly supports the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and is working with Congress to swiftly enact meaningful police reform that brings profound, urgently needed change,” Domestic Policy Council director Susan Rice said in a statement. Rice continued, “Based on close, respectful consultation with partners in the civil rights community, the administration made the considered judgment that a police commission, at this time, would
Tishaura Jones becomes first Black female mayor of St. Louis
In a contest between two St. Louis Democrats, City Treasurer Tishaura Jones defeated Alderwoman Cara Spencer to become the city’s first Black female mayor. A Hampton University graduate, Mayor Jones faces multiple challenges. “Making history as the first Black woman mayor is not lost on me,” Jones said. “I’m also looking at how little girls will look at this going forward and see that they have a mayor that looks like them.” Like everywhere, St. Louis is enduring tense times. With COVID-19 variants a troublesome X factor, public health is an immediate priority. Yet this doesn’t put rising violent crime-
‘We cannot go back to normal’: Boston’s Mayor Kim Janey sees a mandate for racial equity in post-Covid era
By Abby Phillip and Jeff Simon For 200 years, Boston has been led by an unbroken string of White men — until now. Kim Janey, a Black woman who traces her roots in the city back generations, and even further to ancestors who fled slavery in the South, is now the city’s mayor. Janey’s ascension to the role leading one of America’s oldest cities seems the result of a series of fortuitous events. She was first elected to her city council seat in 2017 but went on to become City Council president. She is now acting Boston mayor because President