Today is the 56th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” the first anniversary at which John Lewis is no longer with us to commemorate. If Americans want to honor John Lewis’ sacrifice and lifelong commitment to public service and his efforts to secure voting rights as a fundamental constitutional right for all Americans, it is time for … Read more
Political Scientist Norm Ornstein says if Democrats can’t kill the filibuster, because of recalcitrant Democrats, they can still gut it with reforms. Democrats can’t kill the filibuster. But they can gut it. (excerpt): Progressives’ anger at Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and his caucus, who use the filibuster to block every initiative they can, is … Read more
House Democrats passed their sweeping $1.9 trillion Covid Relief bill in a party-line vote early Saturday morning, advancing President Biden’s top legislative priority. The Hill reports, House Democrats pass sweeping $1.9T COVID-19 relief bill with minimum wage hike: Lawmakers passed the bill 219-212, with two Democrats — Reps. Jared Golden (Maine) and Kurt Schrader (Ore.) … Read more
Roll Call reports, “With House Democrats poised to pass their 791-page campaign finance, elections and ethics overhaul as soon as next week, outside groups that support the measure are turning to the Senate.” House set to move on elections overhaul as outside advocates focus on Senate: Left-leaning organizations such as Indivisible, Public Citizen, Democracy 21 … Read more
In a not surprising development, the Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled that the proposed federal minimum wage increase to $15.00 an hour could not be included in the American Rescue Plan-COVID 19 relief bill as written. Reaction among Democrats has been quick. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki issued a statement for the Biden/Harris Administration … Read more