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Several of President Biden ’s Cabinet nominees are experiencing tough confirmation hearings in the Senate. Many Republicans and even some Democrats have voiced opposition to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pick Neera Tanden , and nominees such as Deb Haaland for secretary of the Interior and Xavier Becerra for secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) will most likely be approved by slim partisan margins. These are qualified individuals, and depending on one’s politics, the opposition to their nominations is regrettable. But even more regrettable is the assumption that such opposition is based in racism or sexism, as some Democrats and activist groups have maintained. Regardless of whether one supports the nominees or not, their nominations have been controversial from the start for lawmakers in both parties for reasons rooted in politics and policy positions. Labelling any critique or questioning of these individuals as examples of racial or gender bias makes it … [Read more...] about Politics, not racism or sexism, explain opposition to Biden Cabinet nominees

Plans for a 9/11-style commission to probe the Jan. 6 attack are running into partisan stumbling blocks in Congress. House Democrats are hoping to vote on legislation establishing the investigative panel before they leave town in mid-March, giving them a matter of days to try to reach a deal with Republicans. But clashes among congressional leaders over both the structure and scope of the panel are threatening to derail the commission before it even gets underway. ADVERTISEMENT “I think a commission is a good idea but it can’t be a partisan commission,” said Sen. John Cornyn John Cornyn Biden pledges support for Texas amid recovery from winter storm Partisan headwinds threaten Capitol riot commission Biden turns focus to winter storm with Texas trip MORE (R-Texas), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee and an adviser to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell Trump at CPAC foments 2022 GOP primary … [Read more...] about Partisan headwinds threaten Capitol riot commission

A consortium with a track record of big public infrastructure initiatives in Colorado will spearhead the $1.2 billion project to expand Interstate 70 through northeast Denver and Aurora amid persisting controversy and federal court challenges. Kiewit Meridiam Partners rose to the top of the list of four groups that were vying for the public-private partnership, said Colorado Department of Transportation executive director Shailen Bhatt. Officials were drawn to KMP, in part, because of its hope to shave about six months off the planned five-year timeline for construction, which is expected to cause headaches for motorists. “Today, we take a big step forward in replacing what you see behind us,” Bhatt said at a Thursday news conference announcing the decision as I-70’s crumbling viaduct provided the backdrop. “We are moving full speed ahead.” KMP will design, build and finance the project — known as Central 70 — and operate and maintain it for 30 years. Financial terms have … [Read more...] about CDOT picks Kiewit Meridiam Partners to lead $1.2 billion I-70 expansion, as project’s controversy simmers