March 8th
This week in MORE POWER:
STOU
Running Out of Time
Congress vs. TikTok
Update on Immigration
See you at SXSW
The State of the Union
On Thursday, President Biden addressed the nation in the annual state of the union address. He urged Congress to increase support to Ukraine, stating that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin would not stop if he wins the war. The President announced a plan to deliver more aid to Palestinians, leading with Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas, emphasizing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and urging Israel to allow more aid into Gaza while reiterating the importance of a two-state solution for lasting peace. He touted his policies on healthcare, including decreasing insulin costs and pushed for bipartisan legislation on fentanyl trafficking, privacy, artificial intelligence, and reaffirming the commitment to supporting military personnel and veterans. Additionally, he pledged to cut carbon emissions by half by 2030, create clean energy jobs, conserve lands, and take historic actions on environmental justice. The speech highlighted efforts to address housing costs, provide tax credits for mortgages, eliminate title insurance fees, and invest in affordable housing, along with plans to improve education through preschool access, tutoring, and affordable college.
In response to a growing fear of a fragile democracy, highlighting January 6th and election deniers, he urged the passage of the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to combat voter suppression, election subversion, and dark money influence.
Running out of Time
The first budget deadline is today at midnight. If Congress can’t come to an agreement on the 6-bill “minibus” -which is a term that means several bills are packaged together but not all (that is called an omnibus)- there will be a lapse in funding for the military and veterans affairs departments, agriculture, commerce, energy and water, transportation, housing, and more. The Senate is working to pass a $460 billion spending bill that already passed the house to avert a government shutdown. Lawmakers are negotiating a second package to fully fund the remaining federal agencies before the next deadline on March 22.
Congress vs. TikTok
There will likely be a House vote next week on legislation mandating that Chinese company, ByteDance, divest from TikTok within six months or face a U.S. ban, following a unanimous committee approval. TikTok even prompted American users to call their representatives before using the app in an effort to influence the legislation. Lawmakers, citing national security concerns, seek to sever TikTok's ties with the Chinese Communist Party, saying that the app tracks data on U.S. citizens. In response, TikTok is arguing that the bill essentially enforces a total ban, potentially infringing on Americans' constitutional right to free expression. The proposed legislation suggests a surgical approach to address security worries by separating TikTok from ByteDance, allowing the app to continue under different ownership. The bill, indicative of an intensified U.S. crackdown on TikTok, has potential ramifications for other foreign-owned apps.
Update on Immigration
The House passed the "Laken Riley Act," requiring federal authorities to detain unauthorized immigrants accused of theft, in response to the recent death of nursing student Laken Riley in Georgia. Republicans, criticizing President Biden's immigration policies, pushed the bill, which passed 251-170 with bipartisan support.
During the State of the Union address, President Biden criticized Republicans for rejecting a bipartisan Senate proposal on immigration, emphasizing increased border agents and asylum system reforms. Progressive Democrats and Hispanic lawmakers voiced dissatisfaction over harsh immigration measures and the administration's exclusion of their input. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus accused the administration of proposing severe reforms without consulting them. Biden's use of the term "illegal" disappointed some Democrats, with Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) cautioning against language reminiscent of Trump's rhetoric.
See you at SXSW!
I’m at SXSW! Catch me moderating a panel at Culture House on Sunday or drop a note letting me know if you’re in Austin and want to connect!
What Congress Passed This Week
9–8–8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act
Energy Emergency Leadership Act
Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0
Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act
Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023
Securing the Cities Improvement Act
DHS Border Services Contracts Review Act
Improving Travel for Families Act
Firefighter Cancer Registry Reauthorization Act of 2023
Action for Dental Health Act of 2023
Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2024
A bill to extend the period for filing claims under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act and to provide for compensation under such Act for claims relating to Manhattan Project waste, and to improve compensation for workers involved in uranium mining.
