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
White House considers broad range of migration plans ahead of Harris visit to Central America
By Priscilla Alvarez The Biden administration is considering pressing Guatemala to address governance issues in the country, ranging from investment to corruption, according to a source familiar with the deliberations at the White House, highlighting just one of the delicate negotiations Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to lead. The State Department, in coordination with other federal agencies, is weighing a list of priorities to address irregular migration ahead of Harris’ expected visit to Guatemala. Those priorities include legislative reform designed to improve conditions in the country, bolstering border security in the region and increasing Immigration and Customs Enforcement removal
White House backtracks after Biden calls border situation a ‘crisis’
By Betsy Klein The White House on Monday backtracked after President Joe Biden over the weekend described the influx of migrant children on the country’s southern border as a “crisis,” in what appeared to be a notable shift in language. The President’s use of the “crisis” label doesn’t represent the administration’s official position, the White House said Monday in regard to a term that top administration officials have refused to say as the numbers of migrants surged. Biden spoke to reporters after a round of golf at the Wilmington Country Club on Saturday and was asked about the cap on
Harris pitches American Jobs Plan during first extended economic speech since becoming VP
By Maegan Vazquez Kamala Harris on Monday delivered her first extended economic speech since becoming vice president, making a pitch for the Biden administration’s infrastructure plan and touting the White House’s accomplishments since President Joe Biden was sworn in. “Help is here and hope is here — and things are looking up. Schools are reopening. Businesses are reopening. Grandparents are seeing their grandchildren in person. We are delivering real, real relief,” Harris told an audience at Guilford Technical Community College in North Carolina. The vice president specifically discussed what the administration’s roughly $2 trillion infrastructure package — the President’s top