National 4-8-21

Herb Scribner

3 years ago

Manchin sees ’no circumstance’ for voting to kill filibuster (Politico) – The moderate Democrat drew a hard line amid talk about limiting Senate Republicans’ power to hold up President Joe Biden’s agenda.
Biden to unveil 6 executive actions to curb gun violence, nominate a permanent ATF director (USA Today) – The president also is expected to announce his nomination of David Chipman as the director of the Justice Department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, according to senior administration officials. Chipman is an ATF veteran who currently serves as an adviser for the gun control advocacy group named for former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
This is a *major* warning sign for Republicans (CNN) – Just 25% of the public calls themselves Republicans — close to the lowest (22%) that Gallup has ever measured since it started doing telephone-based polling.
Biden’s Tax Plan Aims to Raise $2.5 Trillion and End Profit-Shifting (The New York Times) – The plan detailed by the Treasury Department would make it harder for companies to avoid paying taxes on both U.S. income and profits stashed abroad.
Texas Gov. Abbott blames Biden as allegations emerge of sexual assault at child migrant facility (Fox News) – ‘The Biden administration is now presiding over the abuse of children,’ Abbott said.
Task Force Investigates Whether Trump Separated Families Earlier Than Known (NPR) – The task force uncovered 5,600 files from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement from Jan. 20, 2017, the day Donald Trump was sworn in as president, to July 2017.
Matt Gaetz trip to Bahamas is part of federal probe into sex trafficking, sources say (CBS News) – Gaetz was on that trip with a marijuana entrepreneur and hand surgeon named Jason Pirozzolo, who allegedly paid for the travel expenses, accommodations, and female escorts.
U.S. prepared to lift sanctions inconsistent with Iran nuclear deal (Reuters) – “We are prepared to take the steps necessary to return to compliance with the JCPOA.”
Congressional Democrats call on Biden administration to demand Saudi Arabia lift blockade on Yemen (CNN) – In an interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson on Monday, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud denied the blockade existed