Generating power

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden wants Congress to know he’s sincere about cutting a deal on infrastructure, but Republican lawmakers have deep-seated doubts about the scope of his proposed package, its tax hikes and Biden’s premise that this is an inflection point for the U.S. as a world power. Biden met Monday afternoon with a bipartisan group of lawmakers and tried to assure them that the Oval Office gathering was not “window dressing.” One of the core disputes is over what counts as infrastructure in his $2.3 trillion proposal. “I’m prepared to negotiate as to the extent of my infrastructure project, as well as how we pay for it,” Biden said. “It’s going to get down to what we call ‘infrastructure.’” Republican Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi indicated after the meeting that he was willing to negotiate with Biden and called it a “good discussion.” But a more fundamental disagreement also emerged about whether the United States is losing its status atop the global economy … [Read more...] about Biden wants infrastructure deal as Colorado gets a C-minus grade

The pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine announced Tuesday is virtually certain to exacerbate vaccine hesitancy, dealing a fresh blow to the nation’s efforts to recover from the pandemic. Vaccine hesitancy is on its way to becoming the main hurdle in the fight against the virus, experts say. Vaccinations are becoming more plentiful. The nation has recently been averaging more than 3 million vaccination shots per day, bringing relief to people desperate for protection against a virus that has claimed more than 560,000 lives in the United States. ADVERTISEMENT But what happens when all those people are vaccinated? Millions of Americans seem likely to decline the vaccine — and their reluctance is only heightened by any bad news, such as the suspension of the J&J vaccine. Vaccine hesitancy “is a significant worry,” said Larry Gostin, a Georgetown Law School professor and expert in public health. Gostin noted that reluctance to be vaccinated had … [Read more...] about The Memo: Specter of vaccine hesitancy rises after J&J blow

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom Gavin Newsom Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez highlight vaccine concert California lifting restrictions on in-person worship Federal stimulus boosts Newsom ahead of recall MORE (D) on Tuesday signed a $536 billion funding plan to speed fire prevention projects across the state, part of an effort to mitigate the potential effects of another devastating season that could come just weeks before a recall election. Newsom’s budget includes $1 billion in new funds to promote forest health and community resilience. And he has authorized hiring almost 1,400 new firefighters for the state’s top fire management agency, a new commitment necessary to what lawmakers and experts say is the state’s new reality. “Fire season is all year round,” said state Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D), whose San Diego-area district was ravaged by fires in 2003 and 2007. “We have to make up for lost time and certainly how drastic things seem to be moving … [Read more...] about California races to get ahead of another bad fire season

Republicans who voted to overturn the results of the 2020 election are raking in record amounts of cash just months after major corporate donors vowed to pull their support. Rep. Steve Scalise Stephen (Steve) Joseph Scalise Boehner finally calls it as he sees it Republican House campaign arm rakes in .7 million in first quarter The Hill's Morning Report - Biden seeks expanded government, tax hikes MORE (R-La.) was expected to announce that he raised $7.1 million during the first quarter of 2021. Politico reported that Sen. Josh Hawley Joshua (Josh) David Hawley Biden sparks bipartisan backlash on Afghanistan withdrawal Cruz raises .3 million in first quarter of 2021 Exclusive: GOP senators seek FBI investigation into Biden Pentagon nominee MORE (R-Mo.), who played a key role in working to block the certification of the Electoral College results, raised $3 million in the same time period, while Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) … [Read more...] about Republicans see record fundraising in months after Capitol breach

President Biden Joe Biden IRS to roll out payments for ,000 child tax credit in July Capitol Police told not to use most aggressive tactics in riot response, report finds Biden to accompany first lady to appointment for 'common medical procedure' MORE ’s call for an assault weapons ban is putting pressure on Democrats to pass legislation that strategists worry could put lawmakers in a vulnerable spot heading into next year’s midterm elections. The president’s latest push goes beyond expanded background checks and sets the stage for votes to ban assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines — a potential political liability in Senate battlegrounds such as Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. One North Carolina-based Democratic strategist said voting on an assault weapons ban would help fuel Republican arguments that the Biden administration is coming to take their guns. ADVERTISEMENT “Republicans are already claiming that … [Read more...] about Biden’s gun control push poses danger for midterms