The Biden Border Disaster Continues
With new unearth CBP emails depicting a dire living situation along the U.S. southern border, and with more and more illegal immigrants swimming across the Rio Grande River, Rep. Troy Nehls says that President Joe Biden should be found criminally responsible for the border crisis he created.
Nehls says Biden is "aiding and abetting" criminal drug cartels and human traffickers. READ MORE
The GOP And The Border
Texas’ Republican congressional delegation will be visiting the U.S. southern border this weekend, with Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn leading about ten senators to the border to witness the crisis for themselves. Sen. Cruz is demanding the Biden administration allow the media to cover the visit.
Reps. Pete Sessions, Dan Crenshaw, Beth Van Duyne, Chip Roy, Troy Nehls, and the rest of the Texas Republican caucus in the House, will be touring the border next week Monday and Tuesday. Visits will take place in Laredo and McAllen.
Transparency Issue
Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter to President Joe Biden demanding that he offer answers to the humanitarian (border) crisis.
"Recent decisions by your administration are emboldening dangerous cartels, smugglers, and human traffickers to ramp up their criminal operations," reads the letter. "In many cases, these criminals entice unaccompanied minors into inhumane conditions and expose them to abuse and terror. We have a duty to investigate these border crossings so we can protect the victims of human trafficking that have already crossed our borders, crack down on the perpetrators of this heinous crime, and ensure federal policies do not allow – or even incentivize – such behavior. We must send a clear message to these criminals that human trafficking will not be tolerated in America, and that we will use every available resource to stop this abuse of basic human rights."
"Sid Miller Sues Dan Patrick Over Mandatory COVID Testing Requirements," by Texas Politics' Isabel Webb Carey
"Nehls: Biden is "Aiding and Abetting" Human Traffickers and Drug Cartels by Texas Politics' Javier Manjarres
"Biden Demands Congress To Move Fast On Assault Weapon Ban Hours After Colorado Shooting," by Texas Politics' Mona Salama
"Democrat Rep. Filemón Vela will not seek Reelection in 2022," by Texas Politics' Isabel Webb Carey
"Biden Administration Blocks Media Access Inside Migrant Detention Facilities, Provides Edited Videos Of Orderly Scenes," by Texas Politics' Mona Salama
“Ted Cruz Demands President Biden Allow Press Access to Border Crisis” by Texas Politics’ Isabel Webb Carey – In light of the ongoing political conflict over the border, Texas Senator Ted Cruz sent a letter to the White House in which he criticized the President over the federal government’s refusal to allow press access to the border facilities to “inform the American people about what is happening at our southern border.” Recent estimates conducted by the Pew Research Center estimated that the number of migrants apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol approached 100,000 through February. Such statistics suggest apprehensions are likely to equal those seen under the Trump administration. Accusing the President of “hiding the truth from the American people, Cruz described the President’s current policies as “outrageous and hypocritical” and demanded that the press be allowed to accompany his tour of the Rio Grande Valley this Friday. “Denying the press the ability to observe, film, and report on the conditions at the border is not openness or transparency — it is hiding the truth from the American people,” he wrote. “The press and the American people deserve more than denials and excuses from a podium. They deserve to see and understand the crisis for themselves with the help of reporters who are free and independent from your administration.”
“Cornyn, Sinema pen Letter to Biden on Border “Surge in Migrants”” by Texas Politics’ Daniel Molina – The recent border crisis has generated a response from a number of lawmakers, and President Joe Biden (D) has also responded to it by simply asking people to not “come over.” Republicans and Democrats are both split regarding how the Biden administration has addressed the concern, and now a bipartisan effort has moved forward with calling for President Biden to publicly address the border crisis. Both Texas Senator John Cornyn (R) and Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D) have directed a letter to President Biden, urging “him to address the surge in migrants at the southern border.” As well, the lawmakers reaffirm “their commitment to work on bipartisan legislation to help solve this crisis.” In the letter, the lawmakers ask President Biden “to use your full authorities to effectively respond to and successfully manage the ongoing crisis at our Southwest Border,” adding that “it is critical that our nation take aggressive steps to secure our border, protect our communities and ensure migrants are treated fairly and humanely.” Affirming that they will “work with our Congressional colleagues to develop bipartisan and commonsense responses to the surge of migrants at the border,” they also extend the enthusiasm to work with the “Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and the rest of your Administration to tackle this challenge.”
“Texas mayor refutes Biden administration claim that border is closed and secure” by Fox News – Laredo, Texas Mayor Pete Saenz refuted Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas' and President Biden's claim that the U.S.-Mexico border was closed and secure in an interview Monday on "America's Newsroom." PETE SAENZ: "These are good words and I appreciate that very much but words need to be followed by actions. We haven’t seen actions yet. So does that mean that these unaccompanied children and families, are they going to be turned away by continuing to use Title 42? If not those words are meaningless. So you know what do we do? Obviously, I think there is a plan to amend asylum laws so people can apply through their countries of origin. That would be great. The point being here is that we need to prevent this journey from those countries to the border. It’s less risk, life and limb and money and so on to these folks, but also here in the community. We’re the first responders. People need to be a little bit cognizant of that and so you know we need this thing remedied quickly."
“Dem Rep. Filemón Vela won't seek reelection under new Texas map” by Politico’s Ally Mutnick – Democratic Rep. Filemón Vela announced Monday he will not seek reelection next fall, becoming the second House Democrat to announce their retirement in what could be a difficult cycle for the majority party. Vela, whose majority Latino district which spans from the eastern Rio Grande Valley up north toward San Antonio, had been identified as a potential GOP target in 2022 — after former President Donald Trump had a strong showing in the region, and Vela saw his victory margin tighten. The precise district lines for the next election won’t be known for months due to redistricting. But Republicans have total control over the new maps in Texas, and Democrats there say they are bracing for tougher seats overall next cycle. “I will continue to focus on maintaining a Democratic House and Senate majority in my capacity as a member of Congress and vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, while working diligently for the people I am so grateful to represent,” Vela said in a statement. Vela saw his victory margin shrink in 2020, thanks to Trump’s surge in the region. He beat Rey Gonzalez, an underfunded challenger, with 55 percent of the vote in 2020. He won against that same candidate with 60 percent in 2018. Trump’s unexpected success with Latino voters in the Rio Grande Valley and the upcoming Texas redistricting have heightened the pressure on Vela and Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez, who represent adjourning districts.
“1 North Texas Teen Dies, 2 In Serious Condition Likely Due To Counterfeit Prescription Pills, Police Say” by CBS DFW’s Jason Allen – Counterfeit prescription pills are suspected of killing one teenage boy, and leaving two others in serious condition, in two separate incidents in the city of Venus last week. In each case, police said witnesses who were still conscious, told police they thought they were taking oxycodone pills. Police said lab tests would be needed to determine what the pills were made of and if they came from the same supply. However, there have been many confirmed cases in North Texas in recent months police said of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. There was concern Monday, March 22, some of the drugs could still be circulating in the community. Venus ISD Superintendent James Hopper had a meeting with teachers and staff Monday morning to notify them of the incidents. He was also speaking with neighboring districts to make them aware of the issue. “It’s clearly grabbed our attention,” said Hopper. “The welfare of our students is paramount in everything that we do, and so we take this very seriously. We have very close relationships with our students, and our teachers are invested in our students to a degree it’s very emotional with them.”
“Here's how businesses are handling Texas lifting its mask mandate” by CNN – Texas has been mask-free since the beginning of March, but it has created a standoff between business owners across the state trying to mitigate Covid-19 outbreaks and their customers. CNN's Ed Lavandera reports. VIDEO.
“Texas Democrat says the White House is ‘not moving fast enough’ on migrant surge” by CNBC’s Emily DeCiccio – A Texas Democrat from the border city of Laredo slammed the Biden administration Monday for not efficiently dealing with overcrowded, overwhelmed migrant processing facilities in the U.S. “They’re not moving fast enough, with all due respect,” Rep. Henry Cuellar said. “They should move these kids as soon as possible to Health and Human Services.” Cuellar released photos taken inside a Border detention facility in Donna, Texas, to bring attention to the wave of unaccompanied migrant children entering the U.S. in the two months since Biden took office. The pictures show hundreds of young migrants packed inside of tents, sleeping on mats with thin foil blankets, and watching small TV sets in the corners. Nearly 16,000 migrant children were in U.S. custody as of Sunday, and more than 800 unaccompanied migrant children have been in Border Patrol custody for more than 10 days, far longer than the legal limit of 72 hours, according to reporting from NBC News. Cuellar told CNBC’s “The News with Shepard Smith” that the Biden administration must “work with Mexico and Central America...to make sure that those countries are helping us.” The White House did not immediately return request for comment. President Biden has assigned two members of the National Security Council, Roberta Jacobson and Juan Gonzalez, to address the growing influx of migrants at the border. Jacobson and Gonzalez will meet with officials from Mexico and Guatemala. Cuellar told host Shepard Smith that the meetings are a promising step, but “they should have done that a long time ago.”
“Suit proceeds over ammo sold to accused Texas school shooter” by Yahoo News / AP’s Juan A. Lozano – A Tennessee-based online retailer accused of illegally selling ammunition to a student who fatally shot 10 people at a Texas high school in 2018 won’t be dismissed from a lawsuit filed by families of those killed and injured, a judge has ruled. Lucky Gunner is accused of not verifying the age of Dimitrios Pagourtzis when he bought more than 100 rounds of ammunition before the May 2018 shooting at Santa Fe High School, located about 35 miles (56.33 kilometers) southeast of Houston. Pagourtzis was a 17-year-old junior at the time of the shooting. Federal law prohibits minors from purchasing handgun ammunition, and bars licensed gun companies from selling handgun or shotgun ammunition to minors. Lucky Gunner and its owners had argued they were immune from litigation under the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act which prohibits firearms and ammunition manufacturers and dealers from being held liable when their products are used in crimes. But Judge Jack Ewing in Galveston last week denied the company’s request and ordered it pay for the plaintiffs’ attorney fees related to the company’s efforts to be removed from the case. The claims against Lucky Gunner are part of a lawsui t against the suspect’s parents, Rose Marie Kosmetatos and Antonios Pagourtzis, who are accused of knowing their son was exhibiting extreme behavior and yet failed to prevent him from accessing their firearms, which authorities believe were used in the shooting.
“Texas bar owner accused in PPP loan scam” by Chron’s ShaCamree Gowdy – A Texas bar owner has been charged with one count of wire fraud for fraudently obtaining funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Keith Anton Johnson received $123,500 in Payroll Protection Program (PPP) funds, despite being ineligible due to a criminal indictment in a separate case, per the Department of Justice. Johnson is said to have been part of a group that owned and operated KJR Entertainment Holdings LLC from January 2020 through July 2020, according to the charges. The LLC's primary holding was Southerners, a bar and live music venue in Bryan. "Johnson allegedly submitted required payroll information purporting to be that of current employees to justify the basis for a PPP loan," according to the indictment. "On these forms, he allegedly attested to an employee’s current status when, in fact, the one-time employee had quit in January 2020." One of the questions on the PPP application referred to Johnson's criminal charges, in which he allegedly answered untrutfully. Johnson's previous legal issues began in 2019, when he was charged with scamming $300,000 from unsuspecting victims who hired him for general construction, per KHOU-11's Josh Marshall. At least two of the victims in the two-year scam had suffered from Hurricane Harvey.
“Photos of immigrant children at Texas detention center highlight Biden admin’s border secrecy” by Associated Press – President Joe Biden’s administration has tried for weeks to keep the public from seeing images like those that emerged Monday showing immigrant children in U.S. custody at the border sleeping on mats under foil blankets, separated in groups by plastic partitions. Administration officials have steadfastly refused to call the detention of more than 15,000 children in U.S. custody, or the conditions they’re living under, a crisis. But they have stymied most efforts by outsiders to decide for themselves. Officials barred nonprofit lawyers who conduct oversight from entering a Border Patrol tent where thousands of children and teenagers are detained. And federal agencies have refused or ignored dozens of requests from the media for access to detention sites. Such access was granted several times by the administration of President Donald Trump, whose restrictive immigration approach Biden vowed to reverse. The new president faces growing criticism for the apparent secrecy at the border, including from fellow Democrats. Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said Monday “the administration has a commitment to transparency to make sure that the news media gets the chance to report on every aspect of what’s happening at the border.” White House press secretary Jen Psaki added that the White House was working with homeland security officials and the Health and Human Services Department to “finalize details” and that she hoped to have an update in the “coming days.”
“Civil rights lawyer announces bid for Texas attorney general” by The Hill’s Justine Coleman – A Texas civil rights lawyer announced over the weekend his plan to run to replace state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), saying, “It’s clear he doesn’t want to do his job.” Lee Merritt, who has represented several families of Black people killed by police officers, declared his intentions to run to become Texas’s next attorney general in a Saturday tweet with a video. The attorney had floated a campaign for attorney general in comments to a reporter on Friday, saying in the tweeted video that he “accidentally made an announcement yesterday that I was running for Texas attorney general.” “I intend to run,” he said. “I just didn’t plan to announce yesterday.” “Texas deserves an attorney general that will fight for the constitutional rights of all citizens,” he wrote in his tweet. In the video, Merritt said he was concerned about how police treated people who are having mental health crises and was asking whose responsibility it was to ensure law enforcement were safely getting these people to the appropriate clinics. “I said that it was Ken Paxton’s responsibility,” he said. “I had been telling Ken Paxton that for a while, but he blocked me. And I said if he didn’t do his job, I would take his job. It’s clear he doesn’t want to do his job, so I decided to go ahead and take it. I’ll announce later.” Paxton’s campaign did not immediately return a request for comment on Merritt’s announcement.
“Texas slated for 900K first doses this week — here’s which RGV providers are getting vaccines” by KVEO Digital Staff – Texas is expected to receive more than 900,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine this week, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The Texas Department of State Health Services says 685,470 doses will go to at least 481 providers in 183 counties in the state. Another 230,000 first doses will go to pharmacies and federally-qualified health centers. Another 674,580 doses have been ordered by the state to be used as second doses. Texas has given out more than 8.8 million doses, an increase of 1.2 million just in the last week, DSHS says. More than 6 million have gotten at least one dose, and more than 3 million are fully vaccinated. For seniors in the state, DSHS says 59% of them have received one dose, and one in three are fully vaccinated. Nearly one in seven of all Texans at least 16 years old are now fully vaccinated as well. DSHS says about 12 to 14 million people are currently eligible to be vaccinated under Phases 1A, 1B, and 1C. Here’s a breakdown of providers within the KVEO viewing area that are expected to receive doses from next week’s allotment.
“Texas-based natural gas company sends KCI $2.4 million bill for February” by KMBC 9 News Staff – If you think your gas bill increased this winter, check out what happened to Kansas City International Airport. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said Monday that KCI’s gas bill for February increased to $2.4 million. The bill from the airport’s Texas-based gas provider was an increase of more than $2.32 million than it regularly pays on average. “We weren’t born yesterday,” Lucas said in a social media post. “So, expect some further talks from here.” Lucas said KCI gets its gas from Symmetry Energy Solutions, which is headquartered in Houston, Texas. According to the company’s website, Symmetry is a “leading energy supplier providing over 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas to more than 100,000 residential and commercial customers in over 30 states.” “Kansas City certainly understands the energy industry challenges from this winter, primarily originating in the southwest,” Lucas said. “We do not believe, however, those costs should be disproportionately assessed to our MoKan flying public. The city manager is on the case.” KMBC 9 News has reached out to Symmetry for comment. Texas energy companies have come under fire recently for passing along massive bills to customers after last month's winter storm.
National:
“A second House Democrat objects to overturning Iowa congressional election GOP won by six votes” by Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser – Saying that "the election is over and it’s time to move on," a second House Democrat is raising a red flag to a potential push by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to overturn GOP Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa’s razor-thin victory in last November’s election. Miller-Meeks defeated Democrat Rita Hart by just six votes out of nearly 400,000 cast to represent Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, which covers most of the southeastern part of the Hawkeye State. It was the closest margin of any U.S. election in nearly half a century. Hart is challenging the results, which were certified by the state following a recount. But rather than go through Iowa’s courts, she asked the Committee on House Administration to investigate 22 ballots she argues were improperly counted and which she says would have put her in the lead. Pelosi provisionally seated Miller-Meeks in January when the House was sworn in. Asked two weeks ago by reporters if she might potentially remove Miller-Meeks and seat Hart, Pelosi said "there could be a scenario to that extent." Any potential move by the House Administration Committee to award the victory to Hart would have to be approved by a vote in the full chamber, and with a fragile majority, Pelosi can’t afford to lose many Democratic votes.
“Boulder grocery massacre leaves 10 dead including cop, suspect in custody” by Fox News’ Stephanie Pagones and Louis Casiano – Ten people, including a police officer, were fatally shot Monday afternoon inside a grocery store in Boulder, Colo., authorities said at a news conference. The suspect is in custody. The officer was identified as Eric Talley, 51, who was one of the first on the scene. He has served on the department since 2010. Boulder Police Cmdr. Kerry Yamaguchi said a person of interest was being treated for injuries and was in police custody. "We don't know. They are still processing the scene," Yamaguchi told reporters. Kelly McGannon, a spokeswoman for the grocery store, offered her condolences to the loved ones of the victms and first responders. "Our hearts are broken over this senseless act of violence," she said. It was not clear how many people were injured during what police described as an active shooter situation at the grocery store on Table Mesa Drive shortly before 3 p.m. local time. Officers were heard on loudspeaker telling someone to exit a vehicle. "I need you to exit the vehicle now!" the Boulder Police Department said.
“Biden regularly consults with Barack Obama on a 'range of issues', Psaki says” by Fox News’ Brittany De Lea – White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Monday said that President Biden maintains "regular" communication with Barack Obama on a number of issues. Psaki was asked by a reporter whether Obama had visited the White House and how often the two speak, to which she responded that Obama and Biden have a relationship that is not defined as president and vice president – instead, they are "friends." "They consult and talk about a range of issues and I would expect that continues through the course of President Biden’s presidency," Psaki said. "That can be done over the phone it turns out, and I think if President Obama had been here, you would all know." Psaki declined to give an exact number of times that the powerful pair had spoken, but said they "keep in regular touch" and their respective teams also were in regular touch "about a range of issues." Psaki added that given Obama’s work on the Affordable Care Act, which Biden has committed to strengthening and expanding, that is one issue they will talk about. She pointed questions as to what else Obama would specifically be involved in to his team. Biden has tapped a number of individuals who previously served in the Obama administration to join his team, including chief of staff Ron Klain, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Despite the longstanding friendship, Obama drew interest from the media after he waited until late in the campaign cycle to formally endorse Biden.
“Colin Allred: Ex-NFL star Congressman bewildered by Jan 6 insurrection's 'rage and mob mentality'” by CNN’s Don Riddell – As a second-term Congressman Colin Allred carefully respects the traditions of his hallowed workplace. "You can't even step on the floor without a suit jacket on," he told CNN Sport via a remote link from his office in Dallas. But on January 6, 2021, after witnessing the horrors of a deadly, armed insurrection at the US Capitol building, he deemed that -- in that moment -- such a tradition was no longer appropriate, or indeed practical. "When I heard the attackers trying to get in," Allred explained, "I took off my suit jacket coat, stood up and was prepared to fight or do whatever I had to do if somebody got on the floor." Allred knows how to look after himself; he spent five years as a linebacker with the Tennessee Titans in the NFL and thought he'd seen it all -- until January. "It was surreal, it really was. I've played in some really tough atmospheres; I've had things thrown at me and people cursing at me, but I've never seen anything like the rage and mob mentality that we saw that day." Allred had heard the glass breaking, witnessed the doors being hurriedly fortified and knew the Capitol building had been breached for the first time in more than 200 years.
"It really is the heart of heart of our democracy," the 37-year-old Democratic lawmaker said. "And to see violence come to that place, to see Americans using the American flag to attack police officers, the Confederate flag being walked through the halls of Congress -- something that never happened during the Civil War, I was very sad that day."
“Sidney Powell argues in new court filing that no reasonable people would believe her election fraud claims” by CNN’s Katelyn Polantz – Right-wing lawyer Sidney Powell is claiming in a new court filing that reasonable people wouldn't have believed as fact her assertions of fraud after the 2020 presidential election. The election infrastructure company Dominion Voting Systems sued Powell for defamation after she pushed lawsuits and made appearances in conservative media on behalf of then-President Donald Trump to sow doubt about the 2020 election results. Dominion claims that Powell knew her election fraud accusations were false and hurtful to the company. In a new court filing, Powell's attorneys write that she was sharing her "opinion" and that the public could reach "their own conclusions" about whether votes were changed by election machines. "Given the highly charged and political context of the statements, it is clear that Powell was describing the facts on which she based the lawsuits she filed in support of President Trump," Powell's defense lawyers wrote in a court filing on Monday. "Indeed, Plaintiffs themselves characterize the statements at issue as 'wild accusations' and 'outlandish claims.' They are repeatedly labelled 'inherently improbable' and even 'impossible.' Such characterizations of the allegedly defamatory statements further support Defendants' position that reasonable people would not accept such statements as fact but view them only as claims that await testing by the courts through the adversary process." Election authorities and Dominion have resoundingly called Trump's loss in the election accurate and untainted by any possible major security risks. Trump's lawyers and his allies quickly lost or dropped all but one minor case out of nearly 60 following the election, as the then-President sought to overturn Joe Biden's win in multiple key states.
“Top Fox producer dies from coronavirus” by CNN Business’ Oliver Darcy – Eric Spinato, the head booker and senior story editor for the Fox Business Network, died over the weekend, the network said Monday. Spinato's brother, Dean, wrote on social media that the cause of death had been the coronavirus. "COVID took my brother today," he wrote. "He was a gem and one of a kind. I'm so broken and lost for words." Spinato worked at Fox for nearly 20 years. He joined the network in 1998, before briefly leaving in 2004 to work at CNN and MSNBC. He returned to Fox in 2007 and worked at the company ever since, working primarily with Maria Bartiromo.
Fox Business host David Asman reported on Spinato's death Monday afternoon. In a memo sent to employees Monday, Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott, Fox News president Jay Wallace, and Fox Business president Lauren Petterson said Spinato's contributions to the company "were immeasurable." "Eric was an immensely gifted and aggressive booker and was renowned for booking the innumerable 'gets' we've seen on both FNC and FBN over the years," they wrote. "He was also always willing to lend a hand to help a colleague, mentor union staffers or troubleshoot an issue — countless bookers throughout the industry learned the ropes and the tools of the trade from Eric at one point or another in their careers." "His excitement, positivity and energetic team spirit were one of a kind and will be greatly missed," Scott, Wallace, and Petterson added. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to Eric's entire family, including his two sons and his girlfriend."
“Supreme Court Shows Inclination to Limit Union-Access Law” by WSJ’s Jess Bravin – The Supreme Court seemed ready after Monday arguments to pare back union organizers’ ability to visit farmworkers in California’s agricultural fields, but it was unclear whether the justices viewed the case narrowly or as an opportunity to dramatically expand property rights. California growers argue that organizer’s access rights, authorized in 1975 under the state Agricultural Labor Relations Act, amounts to a governmental taking of their private property for public use, for which the Constitution requires they be paid just compensation. The state contends that the access regulation, which allows union organizers to meet with workers during lunch and immediately before and after work under restricted conditions, lacks the characteristics of real property. It doesn’t involve a recorded easement, for instance, and exists only when the land is used for commercial farming. Several justices said the court already addressed the issue in 1956, when it considered a property-rights argument against National Labor Relations Board orders to admit union organizers onto factory grounds. “This is not a problem of always open or always closed doors for union organization on company property,” the court said then, in NLRB v. Babcock & Wilcox Co. Rather, the labor board could require access “when the inaccessibility of employees makes ineffective the reasonable attempts…to communicate with them through the usual channels.”
“Biden Administration Officials Put Together $3 Trillion Economic Plan” by WSJ’s Ken Thomas and Andrew Duehren – Administration officials are crafting a plan for a multipart infrastructure and economic package that could cost as much as $3 trillion and fulfill key elements of President Biden’s campaign agenda, according to people involved in the discussions. The first proposal would center on roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects and include many of the climate-change initiatives Mr. Biden outlined in the “Build Back Better” plan he released during the 2020 campaign. That package would be followed by measures focusing on education and other priorities, including extending the newly expanded child tax credit scheduled to expire at the end of the year and providing for universal prekindergarten and tuition-free community college, the people said. The packages could face a difficult path through the narrowly divided Congress, and Democrats aren’t all in agreement on how they should move forward with their spending and tax proposals. Mr. Biden is expected to be briefed on the details of the proposals this week, and the people warned that the strategy is preliminary. Mr. Biden would need to sign off on the legislative strategy for it to move forward. Some details of the strategy under consideration were reported earlier by the New York Times. The White House declined to elaborate on the proposals under consideration. “Those conversations are ongoing, so any speculation about future economic proposals is premature and not a reflection of the White House’s thinking,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.
“Filibuster Debate Tears at Biden and Senate, With Long-Term Consequences” by WSJ’s Gerald F. Seib – When Richard Arenberg, a longtime Democratic congressional staffer, co-wrote a book in 2012 defending the Senate’s filibuster, he was pleasantly surprised to get a nice reaction from a high-level reviewer: He received a complimentary note from then-Vice President Joe Biden. “It should be required reading for this session of the Senate. Great job,” reads the note that hangs in the office of Mr. Arenberg, who now teaches at Brown University. It wasn’t just Mr. Biden who liked the book; the foreword was co-written by Ted Kaufman, a longtime Biden Senate aide who took over Mr. Biden’s Senate seat when his former boss became vice president. The note merely underscores how Mr. Biden is being torn by the debate over the filibuster, now under sustained attack from critics on his Democratic Party’s progressive left. The debate has brought both the Senate and the Biden administration to an important inflection point; both will be living with the consequences of this moment for years to come. The pressure is building as Democrats in a Senate divided 50-50 between the two parties see Republican filibusters as the main obstacle to the next two big Democratic priorities: passing legislation to broaden voting access, and a big bill to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure while also tilting it away from fossil fuels. In a nutshell, the argument is that the filibuster is being abused more frequently to obstruct the Senate, and that this now is a more acute problem because the Senate is growing ever more anti-democratic (with a small “D”) as the population of the country shifts to urban centers.
“U.S., allies announce sanctions on China over Uyghur ‘genocide’” by Politico’s Nahal Toosi – The United States and its allies in Canada, Britain and the European Union on Monday announced sanctions on several Chinese officials alleged to have links to what U.S. officials say is a genocidal campaign against Uyghur Muslims. The international, coordinated sanctions, first reported by POLITICO, drew condemnation and some immediate retaliatory sanctions from Beijing. The moves offered a glimpse into the growing divide between China and the United States and its trans-Atlantic allies, which, like Washington, are increasingly wary of China’s global ambitions and internal repression. The sanctions are an opportunity for the Biden administration to justify its emphasis on working with allies, one major aspect of its foreign policy that it says distinguishes it from the administration of former President Donald Trump. The sanctions also come after a tense high-level meeting between U.S. and Chinese officials in Alaska. “Amid growing international condemnation, the [People’s Republic of China] continues to commit genocide and crimes against humanity” in the Xinjiang region, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. “The United States reiterates its calls on the PRC to bring an end to the repression of Uyghurs, who are predominantly Muslim, and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang, including by releasing all those arbitrarily held in internment camps and detention facilities.”
“Eric Greitens announces Missouri Senate run” by Politico’s James Arkin – Eric Greitens, the disgraced former Republican governor of Missouri, announced Monday he is running for Senate next year. Greitens, who resigned in the middle of his term following allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman, became the first prominent Republican to enter the race to replace GOP Sen. Roy Blunt, who announced earlier this month he would not seek a third term. "I have been so encouraged by the people of Missouri that I'm happy to announce tonight that I am running for the United States Senate to continue serving the people of Missouri," Greitens said during the interview on Fox News Channel. The prospect of Greitens' campaign has alarmed Republicans who fear he could put the otherwise safe Republican seat in jeopardy if he wins a crowded and split primary. Several other Republicans are considering bids, including state Attorney General Eric Schmitt and state Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick, and Reps. Vicky Hartzler, Jason Smith and Ann Wagner. Two state officials, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe said they will not run. Several Democrats are running, including former state Sen. Scott Sifton, Marine veteran Lucas Kunce and activist Tim Shepard.
“AstraZeneca struggles to rebuild confidence in vaccine after PR blunders” by Politico’s Sarah Owermohle – AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine could be the key to vaccinating billions of people worldwide — if the company can overcome a series of public relations missteps that have clouded the shot’s reputation and left governments wary. The company reported Monday that its two-dose vaccine provided strong protection against the virus without serious side effects in its largest trial yet: a 32,000-person U.S. study. The shot was 79 percent effective at preventing symptomatic disease and completely effective at preventing hospitalization and death, AstraZeneca said. But it’s not clear that those results, which could clear the way for the U.S. to allow emergency use of the shot, will shore up global opinion. When the U.S. announced last week that it would ship millions of AstraZeneca doses to neighboring countries, European regulators were busily trying to quell safety concerns; all told, 13 EU countries suspended use of the vaccine amid unsubstantiated fears it caused blood clots. And AstraZeneca had earlier drawn criticism after a dosing mistake muddled results from its U.K. trial. Now, more than half of people surveyed in France, Germany and Spain think the shot is unsafe, according to a YouGov poll published Monday. American officials and health experts are increasingly worried that AstraZeneca’s shot, once billed as the world’s coronavirus vaccine for its low price and ease of storage, could be dragged down by anti-vaccine rhetoric already trained on Covid-19 shots because of the record pace of their development. Crumbling confidence in the AstraZeneca vaccine in particular could have devastating results among hard to reach, underserved U.S. populations already skeptical of the government’s inoculation campaign — not to mention people in developing countries who may feel like they are getting the third- or fourth-best option.
“Ghislaine Maxwell loses third bid for bail” by Reuters’ Jonathan Stempel – A U.S. judge on Monday rejected Ghislaine Maxwell’s third request for bail, after the British socialite had offered to renounce her British and French citizenships if she were freed. U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan in Manhattan said Maxwell remained a “significant risk of flight” and that no conditions, including her proposed $28.5 million bail package, would reasonably assure she would show up in court. Maxwell, 59, has pleaded not guilty to charges she helped the financier Jeffrey Epstein recruit and groom three teenage girls for sex between 1994 and 1997, and lied about her role. She has been held in a Brooklyn jail since her arrest last July, which came 11 months after Epstein died in his Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Lawyers for Maxwell did not immediately respond to requests for comment. After Nathan rejected two prior bail requests, Maxwell on Feb. 23 offered to renounce her non-U.S. citizenships, and move most of her and her husband’s assets into an account to be monitored by a retired federal judge. Her lawyers said Maxwell wanted to defend herself at trial, and the new conditions should assuage concern she might seek a “safe haven” in the United Kingdom or France. But the judge said Maxwell could still resist extradition if she fled, and even with the monitor still had access to “sufficient” assets to help her evade prosecution.
“South Dakota governor aims to block trans athletes from women's sports nationwide” by Reuters’ Daniel Trotta – South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem on Monday urged fellow governors, high-profile athletes and everyday citizens nationwide to join an initiative seeking to bar transgender girls and women from participating in female sports. Noem, a Republican, announced her “Defend Title IX Now” effort three days after coming under fire from both sides of the political aisle for rejecting a bill that would ban students designated as male at birth from women’s and girls’ sports. The governor, who disappointed conservatives in her party by not signing the bill into law, said she agreed with its sentiment but feared it would not withstand legal challenge. She returned it to the legislature to narrow its scope to non-collegiate sports, among other refinements. Transgender advocates criticized Noem for keeping alive legislation they deem unnecessary, unconstitutional and based on outdated stereotypes, as only a handful of transgender athletes have achieved high levels of success in sports. Noem is seeking to gain enough pledges of support to stand up to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which previously supported transgender rights by boycotting North Carolina for restricting transgender bathroom access. The NCAA also allows transgender athletes to compete, provided they comply with rules on hormone usage.
