Social spending fight may claim progressives’ Medicare expansion
Progressives are closing ranks behind Medicare expansion because it represents the best chance of getting a sliver of their “Medicare for All” vision into law.
Today's Liberal News
Wall Street’s wild party in jeopardy as Fed threatens aid cutoff
The central bank plans to begin yanking back assistance to the economy as early as next month, and many Fed officials are open to increasing interest rates next year.
Americans’ fortunes soared during the pandemic. Some lawmakers see lasting lessons.
Key aspects of the economy are doing better than before the pandemic, which supporters say shows how government spending can help.
Why Biden isn’t hitting the panic button on the debt ceiling — yet
With the deadline looming, the White House is starting to ramp up pressure on Republicans.
Fed signals plan to pull back economic support even as virus looms
The central bank said it’s making progress toward its goals of averaging 2 percent inflation over time and reaching maximum employment.
“Missing in Brooks County”: Thousands of Migrants Denied Due Process at Border Have Died in Desert
We continue to look at the humanitarian crisis along the border, where more people are dying trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border than ever before, as President Biden has increased funding for border enforcement and militarization even as he vowed not to expand Trump’s border wall. We go to Brooks County in South Texas, which has recorded at least 98 migrant deaths so far this year, nearly triple the number from 2020.
News Roundup: Youngkin crowd pledges allegiance to insurrection; Trump as deadbeat
In the news today: Glenn Youngkin rally organizers caused quite a stir when they proudly brought in a flag waved by protesters at the violent January 6 insurrection for the crowd to pledge allegiance to. A bit too on the nose, maybe? On the other end of the insurrection, Trump strategist and Trump-pardoned grifter Steve Bannon remains defiant in the face of subpoenas issued by members of Congress he helped Trump supporters attack.
This state is taking big steps to recognize gender-affirming treatments as essential health care
As Daily Kos continues to cover, Republicans are narrowly focused on discriminating against and excluding trans folks. Transphobia is alive and well at all levels of power in the government, but we’ve seen a particular focus on anti-trans bills move up in state legislators.
Appeals court keeps Texas abortion law in place
The new decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals extends a previous order that for now keeps in place the Texas law known as Senate Bill 8.
Green card installation represents hundreds of thousands of TPS families in need of permanent relief
Affected individuals and groups continue to demand the Biden administration and Democrats fulfill their promise to deliver legalization, on Wednesday installing hundreds of enlarged green cards in front of the U.S. Capitol. The 400 placards, which read in part “United States of America Permanent Resident,” symbolized 400,000 Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders and families who need permanent relief.
Bill Clinton Hospitalized In California, Is ‘On The Mend’
A spokesperson said the former president is “in good spirits” while being treated for a non-COVID infection.
Lauren Boebert uses Norway bow-and-arrow attack to launch very Republican rant against U.S. gun laws
Nothing is more sacred to right-wing Christian conservatives than their guns.
Newt Gingrich is a deadbeat with a $4.3 million debt—he doesn’t care
What is up with Republicans refusing to pay back their debts? We know Trump owes everybody money—possibly more than $1 billion—according to Forbes, but before Trump, there’s an old-school cheater, one whose debts go back a decade.
One-time GOP Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich currently owes more than $4.6 million in unpaid bills thanks to those small firms that helped him run and supported his failed 2012 presidential campaign.
Judge Orders Trump To Give Deposition In Immigration Activists’ Suit
Protesters of Mexican descent accused the then-candidate and his security team of assaulting them during a 2015 rally against his anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Mix-and-Match Vaccines: A Shopper’s Guide
In this week’s installment of the booster chronicles, the plot is picking up. An advisory committee to the FDA began a two-day meeting today to formulate recommendations for whether the agency should authorize additional doses of the Johnson & Johnson and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. (The FDA still has to authorize, and the CDC still has to recommend, any new use of boosters before they’ll be readily available.
Texas School Official Suggests Teaching Both Holocaust Books And ‘Opposing’ Views: Report
The administrator’s comments came in response to a Texas law that seeks to limit how teachers discuss white supremacy and systemic racism in public schools.
FDA advisers endorse Moderna booster shot: Three takeaways
The panel recommended giving the shots at least six months after initial immunization. Its vote is not binding, but the FDA normally follows the recommendations of its advisory committees.
Confusion clouds FDA’s approach to e-cigarettes
E-cig manufacturers and anti-vaping groups alike are puzzled by the agency’s course so far.
He Attacked Cops At The Capitol. The FBI Interviewed Him. Then He Rejoined The Army.
James Mault was caught on film attacking officers during the Jan. 6 attack and lost his civilian job. So he rejoined the military while under FBI investigation.
Jan. 6 Committee To Seek Criminal Charges Against Steve Bannon
The select committee will vote next week on “adopting a contempt report,” triggering a process that could end with Bannon paying a fine or behind bars.
Biden eyeing FDA veteran Robert Califf to lead the agency
If nominated and confirmed, Califf would take over an agency poised to make key decisions on coronavirus vaccines and treatments.
Opinion | What the Supply Chain Crisis Reveals About American Infrastructure
Politicians like to argue in favor of more infrastructure — and more spending on it. But we can use the capacity we already have in much smarter ways.
‘Gen Z’ Only Exists in Your Head
You know there’s drama in research circles—or at least what qualifies as drama in research circles—when someone writes an open letter.Earlier this year, that someone was Philip Cohen, a sociologist at the University of Maryland at College Park. His request: that Pew Research Center, the nonpartisan “fact tank,” “do the right thing” and stop using generational labels such as Gen Z and Baby Boomers in its reports.
The Nation’s John Nichols: Trump’s Coup Nearly Succeeded. He Will Try Again in 2024
As the House committee probing the January 6 attack on the Capitol ramps up its investigation, new details continue to emerge about former President Donald Trump’s efforts to stay in the White House despite losing the 2020 election. The Senate Judiciary Committee recently revealed Trump directly asked the Justice Department nine times for help overturning the election.
Afghan Interpreter Who Rescued Biden in 2008 Is Evacuated from Afghanistan with His Family
After weeks of pleading for help, an Afghan interpreter, who helped rescue then-Senator Joe Biden when he was stranded 13 years ago in Afghanistan, has finally escaped Afghanistan. Aman Khalili describes his journey out of the country, and we speak with the reporter who broke the story.
Snipers Fatally Attack Protesters in Beirut as Lebanon Reels from Devastating Economic Collapse
At least five people were shot today in Beirut after snipers opened fire on a protest as Lebanon faces a growing economic and political emergency amid widespread corruption. Over the weekend, Lebanon fell into darkness for 24 hours after the nation’s electric grid collapsed. Within the past year, the Lebanese currency has fully collapsed as it continues to grapple with the aftermath of last year’s deadly port explosion.
The Sleeper SCOTUS Case That Threatens the Separation of Church and State
The Supreme Court’s upcoming abortion- and guns-rights cases are getting much of the attention right now, but a third, relatively overlooked case could transform one of the most consequential areas of American law: the separation of Church and state.
‘The Men Who Are Killing America’s Newspapers’
Many people assume that local newspapers are dying because they haven’t been able to create a sustainable business model for the digital age, now that Facebook and Google command the advertising space. But that’s only part of the story.
Military archbishop says Catholic troops can refuse Covid vaccines on religious grounds
Archbishop Timothy Broglio has expressed support for President Joe Biden’s mandate for service members in the past.
Divided Supreme Court considers who can defend abortion restrictions
Tuesday’s arguments marked the first abortion case to be argued in full before the court’s 6-3 conservative majority.