Dems nominate Pelosi as speaker again to lead into Biden era
Read full article: Dems nominate Pelosi as speaker again to lead into Biden eraAgainst that backdrop, many House Democrats have for years impatiently insisted it's time for fresh leadership. To become speaker again, Pelosi will need more votes than House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., whoโs likely to garner nearly unanimous GOP support. Though she's likely to succeed, it wonโt be simple because when Pelosi was elected speaker in January 2019, 15 Democrats opposed her. Pelosi came to Congress in 1987 and has led House Democrats, both as the minority and majority party, ever since 2003. Pelosi has won wide acclaim among Democrats as a leading Trump foe in battles over impeachment, immigration and health care.
Biden pushes forward on transition despite Trump's blocking
Read full article: Biden pushes forward on transition despite Trump's blockingPresident-elect Joe Biden and Jill Biden, attend a service at the Philadelphia Korean War Memorial at Penn's Landing on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, in Philadelphia. โ President-elect Joe Biden quietly pushed forward with the business of preparing to become America's next commander in chief on Wednesday, ignoring President Donald Trump's unprecedented push to block his Democratic rival's transition. Biden continues to shrug off Trump's refusal to accept the election outcome, even as officials in both parties warn that the Republican presidentโs actions could be dangerous. The Republican president's allies on Capitol Hill, led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, have encouraged the president's accusations. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, among six world leaders overall, congratulated Biden on his election.
Kushner says Black people must 'want to be successful'
Read full article: Kushner says Black people must 'want to be successful'WASHINGTON โ Presidential adviser Jared Kushner said Monday that President Donald Trump wants to help Black people in America, but they have to โwant to be successful" for his policies to work. She said they were trying to distract from Trump's โundeniable record of accomplishmentโ for Black people. Smith, who is Black, tweeted a photo of himself with Kushner and Vice President Mike Pence. Smith said Kushner has been โa huge advocate" for the issues that affect Black America, and named criminal justice reform, opportunity zones, trade and jobs. Trump, who has been trying to appeal to the Black community, has been promoting his attempts to set up economic opportunity zones, provide steady funding for historically Black colleges and universities, and institute criminal justice reforms.
Congressman seeks to end park's designation as Lee memorial
Read full article: Congressman seeks to end park's designation as Lee memorialBut Democratic Rep. Don Beyer, whose district is home to Arlington House, said it's time that Lee's name be stripped. Beyer's plans for legislation comes as descendants of a family enslaved at Arlington House have been lobbying for a name change. Surrounding the mansion is Arlington National Cemetery, which draws nearly 4 million visitors a year. Craig Syphax of Arlington is one of the descendants of Arlington House slaves who requested Beyer take action. He said learning his family history in his adult years helped give him a new outlook on life.
Trump committed to July 4 celebration despite lawmaker alarm
Read full article: Trump committed to July 4 celebration despite lawmaker alarmAs President Trump has said, there will be an Independence Day celebration this year and it will have a different look than 2019 to ensure the health and safety of those attending, Deere said. Last year's July Fourth event featured tanks, a military flyover and a Trump speech at the Lincoln Memorial. Under recommendations by the mayors Reopen DC task force, large gatherings are prohibited during the first phase of reopening. In Phase Three, gatherings would cap at 250 people, with physical distancing. Large gatherings, like the Independence Day event, would not occur until the District enters Phase Four, "when a vaccine or other cure has been widely administered, or the disease has effectively disappeared.