Compromises being made to pass $1.9 trillion COVID bill
Video Credit: Reuters - Politics - Duration: 02:22s - Published
Compromises being made to pass $1.9 trillion COVID bill
The United States Congress is scrambling to complete work on President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill before some existing pandemic-related benefits are due to expire.
After nearly 11 hours, Senate clerks early Friday finished reading every word of President Biden’s 628-page COVID relief bill - out loud.
On Friday, Senators began debating the $1.9 trillion aid package -- rejecting an amendment to more than double the federal minimum wage over five years from $7.25 an hour to $15…a proposal offered up by Senator Bernie Sanders.
[SANDERS] “when the Senator says why are we spending all this money, the answer is that we are living in the most difficult moment in the modern history of this country.
Maybe even a more difficult moment since the Great Depression of the 1930’s.” That measure fell far short of the 60 votes needed - and was the first in what is expected to be a lengthy series of amendments on the bill that could extend into the weekend.
Liberal and moderate Democrats did strike a deal to offer an amendment that would scale back federal unemployment benefits in the COVID bill to $300 per week, down from the proposed $400.
A compromise made to extend coverage... Meanwhile, Republicans have not been shy about their opposition to Biden’s $1.9 trillion aid package.
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has called the legislation "a poorly-targeted rush job." [MCCONNELL] “We're about to watch one party ram through a partisan package on the thinnest of margins.
Our country is already set for a roaring recovery.
We are already on track to bounce back from the crisis.” The relief legislation includes funding for vaccines and medical supplies, extends jobless assistance and provides a new round of emergency financial aid to households, small businesses and state and local governments.
Opinion polls indicate broad public support.
If the Senate approves the bill, it will have to be sent back to the Democratic-controlled House for final passage.
Democrats hope Biden can sign the bill into law before March 14, when some of the current benefits run out.
With no votes to spare, Senate Democrats have tweaked the measure to ensure all 50 of their members would support it, which would then allow Vice President Kamala Harris to cast the deciding vote if no Republicans support it.
President Biden urgently cautioned Prime Minister Netanyahu against launching an offensive in Gaza's southern city of Rafah, fearing it would escalate the conflict and increase Palestinian casualties. Their call highlighted the growing divide between the two leaders amid mounting pressure for a ceasefire. Biden emphasised the need to avoid further despair in the war-torn region. Both leaders face public outcry, with Biden encountering protests on college campuses and Netanyahu under pressure from families of Israeli hostages.
#Israel #Biden #Netanyahu #RafahCrossing #USWarnings #IsraelHamasWar #Tensions #Geopolitics #MiddleEast #Diplomacy
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Gov. Kristi Noem is doubling down on shooting and killing her own dog after it got aggressive -- and she's even suggesting Biden oughta follow suit with his.. TMZ.com
Joe Biden's dog - which has bitten US Secret Service staff several times - should be put down, a political opponent, who wrote about shooting her own dog, has.. Sky News
The Biden administration recently halted a shipment of U.S.-made ammunition to Israel, a move that stirred concerns within the Israeli government. This marks the first instance since the Oct. 7 attack that the U.S. has stopped a weapons shipment bound for Israel. The decision came amidst worries that Israel might launch an invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
#Biden #IsraelUS #BidenNetanyahu #GazaLive #IsraelHamas #IsraelGaza #Hamas #Rafah #Middleeastnews #Worldnews #Oneindia #OneindiaNews
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Law Enforcement Hiring , Increased in 2023 , Following Years of Decline.
NBC reports that police departments in the United States
have seen their first increase in ranks, changing course
on a historic exodus of officers in recent years.
According to a recent survey,
2023 saw more officers sworn in
than any of the previous four years. .
At the same time, the survey by the Police Executive
Research Forum (PERF) also found that fewer law
enforcement officers resigned or retired in 2023. .
Law enforcement numbers had been declining following
the COVID pandemic and nationwide protests against
police brutality following the death of George Floyd. .
Law enforcement numbers had been declining following
the COVID pandemic and nationwide protests against
police brutality following the death of George Floyd. .
I just think that the past four
years have been particularly
challenging for American policing.
And our survey shows we’re
finally starting to turn a corner, Chuck Wexler, Executive director of PERF, via NBC.
NBC reports that declining numbers left
many police departments with a shortage of
officers, which resulted in slower response times.
Chuck Wexler, executive director of PERF, warns that many police departments are still struggling to recruit and retain officers.
According to Wexler, law enforcement , "isn't out of the woods yet.".
At least a dozen smaller police departments in
the nation have been forced to disband, leaving those
municipalities reliant upon state or county police forces.
NBC reports that in addition to increased pay and
benefits, many police departments have chosen to
change application requirements to increase hiring
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
A dad who suffered a brain injury just days after receiving a British-developed COVID vaccine has told Sky News he would never have had the jab if he had known.. Sky News
George Santos breathed new life into his old drag queen persona -- bringing back his old shtick in a new video ... where he seems inclined to say hello for some.. TMZ.com
At a media dinner in Washington on Saturday night, US President Joe Biden used his opportunity at the podium to to call on foreign governments to release detained journalists and roast his presumptive Republican running-mate Donald Trump over his age and literary tastes.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 00:54Published
Watch as President Biden delivers a humorous election-year roast, taking playful jabs at his Republican rival, Donald Trump, during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Amidst political banter, Biden's remarks offer a lighthearted moment in the midst of the campaign season. Tune in for the best moments from the event!
#WhiteHouse #CorrespondentsDinner #USNews #JoeBiden #DonaldTrump #BidenvsTrump #BidenvsTrump #ProPalestineProtestUS #IsraelHamasWar #Oneindia
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Tennessee Passes Bill , Allowing Teachers to Carry Guns.
The Tennessee House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 68-28 on April 23, CBS News reports.
The legislation would grant some teachers
and staff the right to carry concealed
handguns at public schools.
The bill will now be sent to Republican
Gov. Bill Lee to either sign or veto. .
If signed into law, the legislation would represent the largest expansion of gun access in Tennessee since the deadly shooting at
The Covenant School in Nashville last year.
Teachers and staff carrying guns would only be known to administrators and police.
Teachers and staff carrying guns would only be known to administrators and police.
Other teachers and students' parents
would not be privy to the information. .
If a school worker wants to carry a handgun, they'd have to have a "permit and written authorization from the school's principal and local law enforcement," CBS News reports. .
If a school worker wants to carry a handgun, they'd have to have a "permit and written authorization from the school's principal and local law enforcement," CBS News reports. .
School districts would need
to grant permission as well.
A background check and 40 hours of training would also be mandatory.
However, school staff would be prohibited from carrying their guns during events at stadiums, gymnasiums or auditoriums. .
Protesters shouted
"Blood on your hands" after
the bill was passed by the
House on April 23
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Senate Passes $95 Billion , Foreign Aid Package.
On April 23, the U.S. Senate voted
79-18 to approve foreign aid for Ukraine,
Israel and Taiwan, 'The Guardian' reports. .
Today the Senate sends a unified
message to the entire world:
America will always defend
democracy in its hour of need, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
Make no mistake, America will deliver
on its promise to act like a leader on the
world stage, to hold the line against
autocratic thugs like Vladimir Putin. , Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
The package includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine,
$26.3 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan.
The package includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine,
$26.3 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan.
The package includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine,
$26.3 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan.
A provision to ban TikTok
after the election if ByteDance refuses
to sell the platform is also included.
The legislation will now head to President Biden, who told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on
April 23 that he will "move quickly" to provide aid.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised House Speaker Mike Johnson, .
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised House Speaker Mike Johnson, .
with whom he worked "hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder to get this bill done.".
A lot of people inside and
outside the Congress wanted this
package to fail. But today those in
Congress who stand on the side of
democracy are winning the day, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell also issued a statement.
Today’s action is overdue, but our work
does not end here. Trust in American
resolve is not rebuilt overnight. Expanding
and restocking the arsenal of democracy
doesn’t just happen by magic, Senate Majority Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
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The White House defended President Biden's comments on 'xenophobia' regarding India, China, and Japan, stressing the positive role of immigrants in the US. Biden's remarks, made at a Democratic Party fundraiser, linked economic challenges in these countries to xenophobia, but faced criticism. Nonetheless, the White House reaffirmed Biden's commitment to strengthening ties with allies like India and Japan.
#WhiteHouse #PresidentBiden #JapanIndia #USIndia #USJapan #Xenophobia #BidenGaffe #USnews #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews
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House GOP Advances Aid Bills , for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.
The foreign aid bills were advanced by a
9-3 vote, thanks to the help of four Democrats on the committee, CBS News reports. .
Those Democrats are Jim McGovern, Mary Gay Scanlon, Joe Neguse and Teresa Leger Fernández.
Those Democrats are Jim McGovern, Mary Gay Scanlon, Joe Neguse and Teresa Leger Fernández.
Those Democrats are Jim McGovern, Mary Gay Scanlon, Joe Neguse and Teresa Leger Fernández.
Those Democrats are Jim McGovern, Mary Gay Scanlon, Joe Neguse and Teresa Leger Fernández.
Conservatives who voted against the bills,
because border security wasn't lumped in, include Tom Massie, Ralph Norman and Chip Roy. .
Conservatives who voted against the bills,
because border security wasn't lumped in, include Tom Massie, Ralph Norman and Chip Roy. .
A final vote on the foreign aid package
will take place on April 20. .
The three bills would support Israel,
Ukraine and Taiwan with $26.4 billion,
$60.8 billion and $8.1 billion, respectively. .
The three bills would support Israel,
Ukraine and Taiwan with $26.4 billion,
$60.8 billion and $8.1 billion, respectively. .
The three bills would support Israel,
Ukraine and Taiwan with $26.4 billion,
$60.8 billion and $8.1 billion, respectively. .
$9.1 billion of the Israel package would go toward Palestinian humanitarian efforts. .
A fourth bill seeks to allow the sale of Russian oligarchs' assets that have been frozen in order to continue funding Ukraine.
possibly "force the sale of TikTok
and authorize stricter sanctions on Russia, China and Iran," CBS News reports. .
possibly "force the sale of TikTok
and authorize stricter sanctions on Russia, China and Iran," CBS News reports. .
Some far-right Republicans have threatened to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson from his position for supporting additional Ukraine funding.
Johnson defended his actions, calling lethal aid for Ukraine "critically important.".
If I operated out of fear over
a motion to vacate, I would
never be able to do my job, House Speaker Mike Johnson, via statement.
Look, history judges us for what we
do. This is a critical time right now
critical time on the world stage. , House Speaker Mike Johnson, via statement.
I could make a, you know I can make
a selfish decision and do something that, that's different. But I'm doing here
what I believe to be the right thing, House Speaker Mike Johnson, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
South Korea’s Opposition , Dominates Parliamentary Elections.
South Korea's Democratic Party won
"175 seats in the 300-member single-chamber parliament" on April 10, NPR reports.
The ruling right-wing People Power Party became a smaller minority with only 108 seats. .
The outcome is considered to be a blow to conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The country's prime minister and
other presidential officials offered
to resign after the crushing defeat. .
The country's prime minister and
other presidential officials offered
to resign after the crushing defeat. .
I apologize to the people on behalf
of our party, which wasn’t good
enough to win the people’s choices, Han Dong-hoon, People Power Party leader, via statement.
While Yoon said that he intends to
"humbly uphold" the will of the people
as indicated by the election results, .
it is not known if he will accept his
staff's offers to resign. .
Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader who
is considering running for president again, .
said there is a need for both parties to
"pull together" to "resolve economic
and public livelihood problems.".
The results of the parliamentary
elections are not the victory by
the Democratic Party, but the
great victory by our people, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader.
Now, the elections are over. Both
the ruling and opposition political
parties must pull together all their
strength to resolve economic and
public livelihood problems, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader.
According to the National Election Commission, voter turnout reached its
highest level in over three decades for
a parliamentary election, NPR reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Millennials Want a 4-Day Workweek, , Poll Indicates.
Redfield and Wilton Strategies recently conducted a poll for 'Newsweek' to find
out how Americans feel about the idea of moving toward a four-day workweek.
4,000 U.S. voters were
surveyed between April 6 and 7.
63% were in favor of a four-day workweek.
46% think the model makes
employees more productive.
Out of all age groups surveyed,
millennials accounted for 74% of those
who want to work less hours.
Of that 74%, 44% "were strongly in favor of a shorter working week," 'Newsweek' reports.
50% of people born in 1964 and before supported a four-day workweek.
The results come as more companies are adopting shorter workweeks, and politicians are pushing to advance the trend in Congress.
The results come as more companies are adopting shorter workweeks, and politicians are pushing to advance the trend in Congress.
The sad reality is, Americans now
work more hours than the people
of most other wealthy nations, Bernie Sanders, via March 2024 health committee hearing.
Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of non-profit JVS, called a 5-day, 40-hour workweek outdated.
The five-day workweek was created in a
different time. It served its purpose, but
today's world is more fast-paced and
technology-driven than our workplace
predecessors could have imagined, Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of non-profit JVS, via 'Newsweek'.
Since implementing a
four-day workweek, our
results have been incredible. , Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of non-profit JVS, via 'Newsweek'.
We've found our employees are more
productive, report better work-life balance,
and experience less burnout. Incredibly, our
turnover rate has been cut nearly in half, Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of non-profit JVS, via 'Newsweek'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Bernie Sanders Pushes Bill , to Adopt 4-Day Workweek.
The senator introduced the "Thirty-Two Hour Work Week Act" on March 14, NBC News reports.
The bill would change the standard workweek in America from 40 to 32 hours without losing pay.
The number of hours needed to attain overtime pay would also be reduced.
Time-and-a-half pay would be required for
any workday lasting longer than 8 hours.
If a workday exceeds 12 hours,
an employee would receive double pay.
The plan would go into effect over the
course of four years, NBC News reports. .
Moving to a 32-hour workweek with
no loss of pay is not a radical idea, Sen. Bernie Sanders, via statement.
Today, American workers are over
400 percent more productive than
they were in the 1940s. , Sen. Bernie Sanders, via statement.
And yet, millions of Americans are
working longer hours for lower
wages than they were decades
ago. That has got to change, Sen. Bernie Sanders, via statement.
Sanders went on to talk about
AI's place in the workforce.
The financial gains from the major
advancements in artificial intelligence,
automation and new technology must
benefit the working class, not just
corporate CEOs and wealthy
stockholders on Wall Street, Sen. Bernie Sanders, via statement.
It is time to reduce the stress level
in our country and allow Americans
to enjoy a better quality of life. , Sen. Bernie Sanders, via statement.
It is time for a 32-hour workweek
with no loss in pay. I look forward
to the discussion this week, Sen. Bernie Sanders, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Congress stands firm on Ayodhya verdict, criticizes BJP's stance changes. PM's credibility challenged by Congress leaders, accusing him of spreading lies and.. IndiaTimes
Join us for a compelling discussion as experts analyze the ongoing battle between the BJP and Congress in Uttar Pradesh. Explore the factors influencing voter sentiment, the effectiveness of campaign strategies, and the potential outcomes of this high-stakes electoral contest. Get insights, predictions, and expert opinions on the political dynamics shaping the fate of Uttar Pradesh.
#LokSabhaElections #Elections2024 #LSElections24 #Elections2024 #LokSabhaElectionPhase3 #UttarPradesh #Oneindia
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“Foreign powers” are making an attempt to influence India's elections, but are doomed to fail, PM Modi said Monday. “I can see that there is an attempt by.. IndiaTimes
The Senate passed a bill compelling ByteDance to sell TikTok in the US within a year or face a ban, garnering strong bipartisan support. TikTok vows to contest it in court, citing First Amendment violations. Concerns linger about data privacy and censorship linked to China, amid ongoing political scrutiny of the platform.
#tiktokbanusa #tiktokbanusa2024 #tiktokbanushouse #tiktokbanusreaction #tiktokbaninusalive #tiktokbaninusa#tiktokbaninusalatestnews #tiktokbaninussenate #JoeBiden #TikToknews #Worldnews #news #Oneinda #Oneindia news
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United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin rejects claims of genocide by Israel in Gaza but acknowledges the need for sustainable improvements. The remarks came during a Senate hearing, where concerns over civilian casualties and humanitarian conditions were raised. Efforts to press Israel to protect civilians continue amid ongoing conflict, with the US emphasising the importance of addressing the humanitarian crisis.
#UnitedStates #LloydAustin #IsraelGaza #Israel #Gazawar #Israelnews #Biden #Israelwar #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews
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President Biden's $1.9 Trillion relief package sent checks to households across the United States. The goal is to help people pay down debts brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the bill also..
After a little over a month in office, President Joe Biden recorded his first major legislative achievement this week, as Congress approved his $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill. The passage came on..
After a little over a month in office, President Joe Biden recorded his first major legislative achievement this week, as Congress approved his $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill. The passage came on..