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Messages - cadence4u

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61
Off-Topic / Biden tries to sell his $2trillion infrastructure package to Republicans and Dem
« on: April 19, 2021, 09:59:38 am »Message ID: 1355211
Biden tries to sell his $2trillion infrastructure package to Republicans and Democrats with another Oval Office sit down as he prepares another round of taxes on the rich

* President Joe Biden will host Republican and Democratic lawmakers in the Oval Office as he tries to sell them on his $2
   trillion infrastructure package
* Administration considering taxing the wealthy to pay for second phase of its infrastructure plan -  the American Families
   Plan
* Among lawmakers meeting with Biden is Republican Senator Mitt Romney, who has an infrastructure proposal of his own
* Some Republicans want to pass a 'hard' infrastructure plan with traditional items
* Some Democrats signing on to that as a first step with a social program package to follow that one

President Joe Biden will host Republican and Democratic lawmakers in the Oval Office Monday as he tries to sell them on his $2 trillion infrastructure package.

The meeting comes as the administration prepares for a new round of taxes - this time on wealthy individuals - to pay for the second phase of Biden's infrastructure plan, which focuses on social programs.

The 10 lawmakers meeting with Biden are all former governors or mayors. The president has touted his support from Republican mayors and governors to paint his proposals as bipartisan even as his American Rescue Package didn't garner a single GOP vote on Capitol Hill.

The White House touted the meeting, saying the group of 'former state and local elected officials understand firsthand the impact of a federal investment in rebuilding our nation's infrastructure on their communities.'

Biden faces an uphill battle on his sprawling infrastructure plan, which goes beyond tradition projects of roads and bridges to include housing, childcare and the environment.

Both Democrats and Republicans have weighed in on the proposal, which is in the process of being drafted on Capitol Hill.

Monday's meeting marks the second time in the last two weeks Biden has hosted a bipartisan group of lawmakers. Last week he met with eight lawmakers for nearly two hours.

Among the group of 10 lawmakers sitting down with the president is Republican Senator Mitt Romney, who has an infrastructure proposal of his own to counter Biden's.

He and the president have spoken about it, Romney told reporters on Capitol Hill last week.

The Republican legislation aims for a smaller infrastructure deal - in the $600 billion to $800 billion range.

It would focus on traditional infrastructure items and some Democrats see that as a first step to a larger deal.

Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, a close Biden ally, said on 'Fox News Sunday that the Senate should 'come together in a bipartisan way to pass that $800 billion hard infrastructure bill' and then tackle a second package that would include additional items the president is proposing.

Meanwhile the White House wooing continues.

White House chief of staff Ron Klain will host leaders of the moderate House Democratic Blue Dog Coalition on Tuesday and key members of the New Democrat Coalition on Wednesday,  a White House official told CNN.

Vice President Kamala Harris is in North Carolina on Monday to sell the plan and other Cabinet officials are also hitting the road. 

Republicans have criticized Biden's plan for being too large and going outside the traditional infrastructure scope.  Some moderate Democrats have expressed similar concern.

Biden has defended his plan by saying all the items contribute to the greater infrastructure of the country.

But he's also facing criticism from his left wing, who wanted him to go even bigger.

The White House is working to mollify progressives with talk of the American Families Plan, a second part of the infrastructure initiative that will be released this month and focus on social programs, including the child tax credit.

But most Republicans strongly oppose the social programs and liberals worry that a smaller first round package passing with bipartisan support could kill the second round proposal.   

To pay for his American Families Plan, Biden is weighing a new series of tax hikes on the wealthy, people familiar with the discussions told Politico.

The new taxes come after the administration proposed a series of taxes on corporations last month to pay for its $1.9 trillion COVID relief package. Some of those funds could pay for first round of infrastructure funding but the way to cover costs is still being worked out as the legislation is being crafted.

But a presidential proposal for a tax on the wealthy is likely to be much more contentious on Capitol Hill than his push to raise corporate taxes.

Republicans are pushing back hard on Biden's plan to raise taxes - both on corporations and on high-net earners.

And some Democrats from high-worth areas - such New York, San Francisco and Silicon Valley -  may object to the president's plan to raises taxes on their constituents.   

Biden has pledged only to raise taxes on households making more than $400,000. But the administration hasn't been clear as to whether that limit applies to individual earnings or combined household - a distinction that makes a big difference especially in areas on the East and West Coasts where the cost of living is high.

One idea the administration is considering would be to reel back Donald Trump's tax cut, taking the top marginal tax rate back to 39.6 per cent, where it was before the 2017 tax cut.

Lawmakers meeting with Biden on Monday

Democrats

Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado

Sen. Angus King of Maine

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri

Rep. Charlie Crist of Florida

Rep. Norma Torres of California

Republicans

Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah

Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota 

Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida

Rep. Kay Granger of Texas 

62
Off-Topic / Re: Need info on rabbits
« on: April 19, 2021, 09:50:11 am »Message ID: 1355210
Separate the two males!

63
Off-Topic / Re: Covid Vaccine
« on: April 12, 2021, 10:53:41 am »Message ID: 1354864
Why nations relying on China's Covid vaccines are at risk of the disease resurging: Experts warn Beijing-made jabs being rolled out in 53 countries 'will not be enough to stop the virus circulating'



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9461219/Why-nations-relying-Chinas-Covid-vaccines-risk-waves.html

64
Off-Topic / Are these the 30 people who will attend Prince Philip's funeral? Royals face
« on: April 10, 2021, 10:21:47 am »Message ID: 1354737
Are these the 30 people who will attend Prince Philip's funeral? Royals face dilemma over who to invite because of Covid rules with Boris Johnson likely to join senior members of family for service - as equipment is seen arriving in Windsor

* The Queen, 94, will only be able to invite 30 people to the ceremony - plus the clergy - at St George's Chapel
* There were going to be 800 mourners from across the Duke's military units, charities and the Commonwealth
* The final list, which is expected in the next few days, will likely be made up of senior members of Royal Family
* Prince Philip said that he wanted funeral with minimal fuss, but his passing was always going to be a big affair
* Meanwhile lorries were Saturday lunchtime seen hauling scaffolding into Windsor Castle for the preparations

The Royal Family faces a dilemma over who to invite to Prince Philip's funeral due to the coronavirus restrictions in place across England.

The Queen will only be able to invite 30 people to the ceremony - plus the clergy - at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Originally there were going to be 800 mourners from across the Duke of Edinburgh's military units, charities and associates from across the Commonwealth.

The final list, which is expected in the next few days, will likely be made up of senior members of the Royal Family as well as the Prime Minister.

Prince Philip said he wanted a funeral with minimal fuss, but the passing of Britain's longest serving consort was always going to be a big affair - and lorries were today seen hauling scaffolding into Windsor Castle for the preparations.
The Royal Family faces a dilemma over who to invite to Prince Philip's funeral due to the coronavirus restrictions in place across England.

The Queen will only be able to invite 30 people to the ceremony - plus the clergy - at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Originally there were going to be 800 mourners from across the Duke of Edinburgh's military units, charities and associates from across the Commonwealth.

The final list, which is expected in the next few days, will likely be made up of senior members of the Royal Family as well as the Prime Minister.

Prince Philip said he wanted a funeral with minimal fuss, but the passing of Britain's longest serving consort was always going to be a big affair - and lorries were today seen hauling scaffolding into Windsor Castle for the preparations.

Next could be the partners of the senior royals, who are present at most official events.

These are Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, the Princess Royal's husband Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

Prince Harry is expected to jet across from his new home in California, before quarantining ahead of the burial.

His wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, who is heavily pregnant with their second children, is not believed to be coming and neither is their son Archie.

The rest of those to be invited is less certain but the remaining could heavily feature more distant members of the Royal Family.

Princess Anne's children Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall could be there, with Zara's husband and former England rugby star Mike also present.

Princess Beatrice could be joined by Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, who she married last year.

Her younger sister Princess Eugenie may well also be invited, along with her husband of three years Jack Brooksbank.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex's children may also make the cut - Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.

It is also likely the Queen will invite her cousins and their spouses: Princess Alexandra, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, who have offered loyal support and service over the years.

And the Queen is close to the children of her late sister Princess Margaret - her nephew the Earl of Snowdon and niece Lady Sarah Chatto - and is likely to want them to be present as a source of comfort.

The Queen and Philip's 10 great-grandchildren - Savannah and Isla Phillips; Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis of Cambridge; Mia, Lena and Lucas Tindall; Archie Mountbatten-Windsor; and August Brooksbank - are likely to be considered too young to attend the televised proceedings as all are aged 10 and under.

If Meghan does not attend, and Mr Tindall, Mr Brooksbank and Mr Mapelli Mozzi do, then the guest list would total 29, leaving just one place left.

This could be filled by a trusted member of the Queen or Prince Philip's household, or perhaps Boris Johnson if the Queen decides to widen the invitation outside royal circles, or First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Tony Radakin in honour of Philip's military service.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9456415/Who-attend-Philips-funeral-Royal-dilemma-invite-30-person-Covid-rule.html


65
Off-Topic / Re: Lil Nas X Music Video
« on: April 10, 2021, 09:39:37 am »Message ID: 1354736
Love song "Old Town Road"! Old Town Road never played on country music radio station!

66
Off-Topic / Prince Philip's funeral set for next Saturday
« on: April 09, 2021, 01:05:04 pm »Message ID: 1354684
Prince Philip's funeral set for next Saturday: Britain enters eight days of mourning as The Queen shares her 'deep sorrow' after the death of her 'beloved' husband Philip at 99 and nation pays tribute to her 'rock' the Duke of Edinburgh

* Her Majesty announced death of her husband of 73 years at midday today and joins 'the world in mourning'
* Philip was in Windsor after being treated for an infection and pre-existing heart condition for 28 nights
* Duke of Edinburgh had kept a low profile since conducting his final solo public engagement in August 2017
* After retiring, Philip spent much of his time at Windsor and at Queen's private Sandringham estate in Norfolk
* Duke was the longest-serving consort in British history and the oldest serving partner of a reigning monarch
* Philip was known for legendary gaffes and uncensored and politically incorrect opinions on various subjects

Britain today enters eight days of mourning before Prince Philip's funeral is due to be held next Saturday after The Queen announced with 'deep sorrow' the death of her husband Prince Philip at the age of 99.

Philip was her 'strength and guide' throughout their 73-year marriage and her 69-year reign, as crowds of mourners laying flowers and tributes at palaces became so large they were told to disperse because of the pandemic.

The Duke of Edinburgh spent his final days at Windsor Castle with his wife, who he lovingly called Lilibet throughout their long life together, after a 28-night stay in hospital having been admitted in mid-February for an infection and a pre-existing heart condition.

Her Majesty announced her husband's death at midday as the Union Flag was lowered to half-mast outside Buckingham Palace, in Downing Street and on public buildings across the UK and Commonwealth. Westminster Abbey will ring its bells 99 times in his memory from 6pm tonight.

The Royal Family said in a statement: 'It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss'.

A frail Philip was last seen leaving hospital for Windsor on March 16. His death plunges the nation and the Royal Family into mourning and brings to an end his lifetime of service to Britain and to Elizabeth, the Queen who adored him since her teens. The couple shared their 73rd wedding anniversary last November and he was due to turn 100 on June 10 this year.

Hundreds gathered in the spring sunshine at the palace and in Windsor, where many hugged and wiped away tears as they laid flowers in his memory - and left messages of love and support for the Queen and her family.

But as the crowds grew this afternoon the Government urged people to stay away and not to leave bouquets for public health reasons because Britain remains in lockdown due to Covid-19. The notice announcing the Duke of Edinburgh's death at the gates of Buckingham Palace even had to be removed to maintain social distancing, officials said, and police horses even arrived to help marshal mourners.

His funeral will be a small family service at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle before the duke is buried in Frogmore Gardens, where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were laid to rest. The date has not been set officially, but sources claim it could be on Saturday, April 17.

More details will emerge in the next few days, with the plan nicknamed 'Operation Forth Bridge', but the public have already been urged to stay away to avoid spreading Covid-19 and watch it on TV at home instead. A state funeral including a flotilla of boats on the Thames to mark her husband's life looks impossible due to covid restrictions, but the Duke was said to have disliked the idea because he 'didn't want the fuss'.

Prince Harry is expected to return to the UK and be among the small number of mourners at the funeral, but it is much less clear whether his pregnant wife Meghan will return, weeks after the couple accused the Royal Family of racism in their bombshell Oprah interview while Philip lay in hospital.

The Duke of Edinburgh's title will eventually pass on to his youngest son, Prince Edward, it was confirmed today - but he will have to wait until after the death of his mother and his brother Charles becomes king because of royal protocols.

The cause of Philip's death has not been made public, but Philip had his first Covid-19 vaccination with the Queen on January 9, with his second one due around a week ago. It is not known if it was administered.

Parliament will be recalled from its Easter recess on Monday - a day earlier than planned - where MPs will give tributes in the Commons. The Conservatives, Labour and other major parties have suspended campaigning for the local, mayoral and police and crime commissioner elections in May out of respect for the duke.   

As the Queen lost her husband, and the country mourns one of its greatest servants, it also emerged:

Her Majesty will enter a period of mourning with officials planning a royal ceremonial funeral in St George's Chapel,  Windsor, after Philip insisted he didn't want the 'fuss' of lying in state. But well-laid plans have been hit by Covid restrictions and the public already urged not to consider gathering in the streets for the event;
Large crowds stood at Buckingham Palace and at Windsor Castle to lay flowers - before the Government asked them to disperse and stop laying flowers;
Flags around the UK are at half-mast - and will remain so for at least eight days - as Boris Johnson leads tributes to the Duke of Edinburgh, who the PM said has 'helped to steer the Royal Family and the monarchy so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life';
US president Joe Biden said: 'Jill and I are keeping the Queen and to Prince Philip's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in our hearts during this time
Commonwealth leaders including prime ministers of Australia, Canada and India thank Prince Philip for his decades of public service and send 'love and deepest condolences' to Her Majesty and all the Royal family;
Philip's death came at a time of great turmoil for the Royal Family after Harry and Meghan's emigration to the US and bombshell Oprah interview. The Sussexes have not said if they will be returning to the UK;
Prince Charles, Prince William and other senior royals are yet to give their own personal tributes as ordinary Britons shared their own hilarious and poignant memories of meeting Prince Philip;


Her Majesty, who remains at Windsor Castle with her husband, has now started an eight-day period of mourning. She will not carry out any duties, even in private, while laws will not be given the Royal Assent and affairs of state will also be paused.

Boris Johnson led the tributes to the Queen's husband and addressed the nation outside No 10 Downing Street shortly after the announcement. He said: 'We give thanks, as a nation and a kingdom, for the extraordinary life and work of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh'.

He added: 'Speaking on their golden wedding anniversary, Her Majesty said that our country owed her husband 'a greater debt than he would ever claim or we shall ever know' and I am sure that estimate is correct So we mourn today with Her Majesty The Queen.

'We remember the duke for all of this and above all for his steadfast support for Her Majesty the Queen. Not just as her consort, by her side every day of her reign, but as her husband, her 'strength and stay', of more than 70 years.

'And it is to Her Majesty, and her family, that our nation's thoughts must turn today. Because they have lost not just a much-loved and highly respected public figure, but a devoted husband and a proud and loving father, grandfather and, in recent years, great-grandfather.' Mr Johnson also praised his Duke of Edinburgh scheme, which has 'shaped and inspired the lives of countless young people'. 

Photos from early years to current:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4074042/Prince-Philip-dies.html

67
Off-Topic / Biden's Homeland Security secretary now says he wants to prosecute MORE illegal
« on: April 07, 2021, 10:00:03 am »Message ID: 1354561
Biden's Homeland Security secretary now says he wants to prosecute MORE illegal immigrants crossing the border and will crack down on Dem sanctuary cities that refuse to work with ICE

* Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas wants to crack down on illegal immigration
* Specifically, he wants to criminally prosecute more illegal immigrants and target sanctuary cities who refuse to
   cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement
* 'I see cases now where we apprehend and remove individuals that I think need to be prosecuted criminally,' Mayorkas
    told ICE employees during a virtual town hall on Friday
* Also said President Joe Biden is considering restarting construction on Donald Trump's southern border wall
* Resumed construction would help fill 'gaps in the wall,' Mayorkas said
* Biden is facing a massive influx of migrants arrivals, leading to overcrowding at detention facilities
* Vice President Kamala Harris was put in charge of the White House's response to the immigration crisis
* Critics have slammed her for not yet visiting the southern border or its overflowing holding facilities, but instead
   jetting of to promote the American Rescue Plan

Joe Biden's Homeland Security head is looking to crack down on illegal immigration by taking more legal action against border jumpers and targeting U.S. cities that act as a safe haven for them.

'I see cases now where we apprehend and remove individuals that I think need to be prosecuted criminally,' DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said during a virtual town hall with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees last week where he also revealed President Biden is considering restarting construction on Donald Trump's border wall.

'Quite frankly, I'm going to have to understand why some of these individuals are not subject to a Title 8 USC 1326 case and I intend to work with the DOJ in that regard,' he added.

Entering the U.S. illegally is a misdemeanor under Title 8 Section 1325. Furthermore, reentering the country after being ousted is a felony under Title 8 Section 1326.

Mayorkas told ICE employees that DHS will also take on so-called sanctuary cities that refuse to work with the agency to turn over illegal immigrants hiding out there.

He also vowed during the meeting, according to notes of the conversation reviewed by the Washington Times, that he is opposed to some more progressive immigration and border protection policies, like the push from the far left to totally abolish ICE.

'I'm 100% opposed to the abolition of ICE,' he said. 'It is the opposite of what I think needs to occur. I think we need to strengthen our policies and practices and communicate more effectively what we do and why we do it.'

Vice President Kamala Harris was put in charge of the White House's response to the immigration crisis. Critics have slammed her for not yet visiting the southern border or its overflowing holding facilities in the few weeks since being designated border czar.

Since Biden made the announcement, Harris has visited New Haven, Connecticut; Oakland, California and Chicago, Illinois – all to promote the American Rescue Plan and preview more relief.

She also went home to California for Easter weekend with second gentleman Doug Emhoff and moved into the Naval Observatory after getting 'frustrated' with the time it was taking to complete the renovations. She has also listed her D.C. condo on the market for $1.995million.

Another notable tidbit to come from that meeting Friday was Mayorkas revealing Biden is considering restarting construction on Trump's southern border wall in an effort to address the record numbers of illegal crossers.

He said the construction might resume in order to plug 'gaps' in the current barrier between the U.S. and Mexico.

The move comes as Biden made a big spectacle on Day One of his administration by issuing an executive order freezing Department of Defense funding for border wall construction. In February, he officially ended the emergency order at the border, but there were concerns about where the funds would go that were already appropriated for the border wall project.

The new hard-line stances come as Biden's administration is facing a growing crisis at the southern border with record numbers of migrants arriving every day and facilities quickly becoming overcrowded and understaffed.

So-called sanctuary cities emerged as a hot topic in the midst of Trump imposing strict crack downs on deporting illegal immigrants.

A sanctuary city refers to a jurisdiction that limits their cooperation with the federal government's effort to enforce immigration law.

California itself has deemed itself a sanctuary state and other cities include places like Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Portland, Oregon.

Mayorkas also revealed during the meeting he's working on a new set of guidelines to govern ICE officers' arrests and attempts to deport illegal immigrants.

Pressed by ICE employees worried about public resistance, Mayorkas said the agency has a 'noble mission.'

Mayorkas served during Barack Obama as head of ICE and later as deputy secretary at DHS under then-Secretary Jeh Johnson.

Some feel Mayorkas is just fronting for ICE employees without the intentions to follow through with some of these plans.

'I've seen this administration say a lot of things that I feel like they're disingenuous about, and they know they can't deliver on, but they pretend and leave their audience to believe they can deliver on. That's what I see here,' a former DHS official told the Times.

During the forum, employees pleaded for a firmer stance amid the current migrant surge.

One employee lamented that DHS was treating illegal immigrants more leniently regarding COVID-19 restrictions than American citizens.

Others questioned the new administration's border policy changes, claiming Trump's policies appeared to be working to curb the immigration crisis.

One employee complained, according to the Times, of 'notoriously low morale' and blamed Washington for its lack of support.

Under Trump there was a lot of freedom to target illegal immigrants with criminal records, which allowed agents and officers to pursue deportation against anyone in the country without permission or legal status.

With Biden in office, however, ICE has been given much stricter rules.

The priorities of the new administration have seen ICE book-ins cut by 62%, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse.

Mayorkas defended the stricter priorities, saying: 'Every law enforcement agency to which I have been a part, or which I have worked, has priorities in light of the fact that it doesn't have unlimited resources.'

'I know there may be disagreements about where those lines are drawn, and we're going to be talking about that in the coming weeks,' he added.

The DHS lead promised 'discretion' and said the final guidelines won't be 'set in stone.'

Biden's administration is facing record numbers of migrants arriving at the southern border and federal government holding facilities are 'stretched beyond thin,' according to an independent report concluded after a visit to the sites.

House Whip Steve Sacalise is leading a delegation of 10 Republican members to the southern border to assess the conditions, which have been described as 'inhumane' and 'horrific.'

Vice President Kamala Harris, who was designated border czar by Biden last month, has faced a slew of backlash for not yet visiting the border. Seemingly, Harris has not done anything yet to improve conditions at holding facilities or address problems with immigration under this administration.

NASA and other federal agencies reportedly sent out emails to their employees asking if they are willing to volunteer at the overcrowded child migrant facilities.

Mayorkas defend Biden canceling border wall construction, telling ICE employees during last week's meeting that it leaves 'room to make decisions' on finishing 'gaps in the wall.'

'It's not a single answer to a single question. There are different projects that the chief of the Border Patrol has presented and the acting commissioner of CBP [Customs and Border Protection] presented to me,' Mayorkas said, according to notes of the ICE session reviewed by the Times.

'The president has communicated quite clearly his decision that the emergency that triggered the devotion of DOD funds to the construction of the border wall is ended,' he continued. 'But that leaves room to make decisions as the administration – as part of the administration – in particular areas of the wall that need renovation, particular projects that need to be finished.'

On February 11, Biden ended Trump's southern border emergency, which was issued through executive order in February 2019.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9445035/Bidens-DHS-head-wants-prosecute-illegal-immigrants-crack-sanctuary-cities.html

68
Off-Topic / Kamala Harris Has Not Visit The US-Mexico Border
« on: April 07, 2021, 09:48:26 am »Message ID: 1354560
A bakery, a water plant and her LA home: Everywhere Kamala has flown in the 14 days since she was placed in charge of migration crisis (but not, obviously, the border)

* The Vice President was tasked with addressing the crisis at the border amid a surge in migrant numbers
* In two weeks she has only held one phone call with the Guatemalan President and offered no interviews
* She did not visit the border despite traveling home to California for four days with no public commitments
* More than 170,000 migrants were caught trying to cross the border in March, its highest level in two decades
* Harris is yet to hold an interview or make a trip to see the 'humanitarian crisis' despite her new role

Kamala Harris has still to visit the US-Mexico border or even hold a press conference about her new duties in the two weeks since being tasked with addressing the migrant crisis.

The Vice President spent Easter weekend at her Brentwood home in Southern California where she baked a 'beautiful' roast pork with rice and peas, but did not find time in her schedule to visit the nearby border.

In the past two weeks she has also visited Connecticut for a talk with the Boys and Girls Club of New Haven, traveled to Oakland to meet with Gavin Newsom to show support amid his potential recall election, and made a trip to a bakery in Chicago.

Harris has also been busy moving into her new residence at the Naval Observatory just days after she complained about living out of suitcases while it was being renovated.

On March 24, she was tasked with leading the efforts to tackle the 'humanitarian crisis' amid a surge of migrants trying to enter the US since Joe Biden's administration came into office.

New government statistics released last week revealed that 171,000 migrants were caught by US authorities at the border in March - the highest monthly total in two decades.

It comes as Biden's Homeland Security head is looking to crack down on illegal immigration by taking more legal action against border jumpers and targeting US cities that act as a safe haven.

The total includes about 19,000 unaccompanied migrant children and 53,000 family members traveling together, the preliminary figures showed.

The March arrest totals at the US-Mexico border represent the highest monthly level since April 2000 when border patrol agents caught more than 180,000 migrants.

But Harris has stayed publicly silent on the issue and has not held a press conference or major interview about her new duties she was assigned them two weeks ago.

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich invited the Vice President on a tour of the border this month in a letter on Friday.

He wrote: 'Recently, you stated, "You have to see and smell and feel the circumstances of people to really understand them." With that in mind, I formally invite you to join me for a tour of the southwest border in Arizona later this month.

'It will provide firsthand insight into what Arizonans, law enforcement officials and migrants are experiencing. I will make myself available any day of your choosing.'

Shortly after her appointment, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey also branded Harris 'the worst possible choice' to lead the border team, saying Biden had 'completely trivialized the issue by putting someone in charge who flat out just doesn't care'.

Ted Cruz added 'she is not going to be able to solve this crisis', branding it Biden's 'biggest political mess'.

Biden initially said his vice president would be in charge of returning migrants to their home countries in her new role.

He said: 'The vice president has agreed... to lead our diplomatic effort and work with those nations to accept the returnees, and enhance migration enforcement at their borders.'

The White House later claimed Harris was not directly involved with the border crisis but was instead addressing its 'root causes'.

Her schedule shows that since she was tasked with helping the crisis, she has largely remained in Washington DC.

On March 25, her only public duty was the White House's virtual Passover celebration with her husband Doug Emhoff, while the following day she visited New Haven, Connecticut, to meet with the Boys and Girls Club.

She spent the weekend in Washington DC with no public commitments, before receiving a Covid briefing and joining Biden for a speech on their pandemic response on the Monday.

On Tuesday March 30, Harris received the President's daily brief in the morning before signing the PPP extension into law in the Oval Office.

She also carried out the only known work related to the border since being appointed Border Czar as she held a phone call with President Alejandro Giammattei of Guatemala.

So far, 64,000 migrants out of the 350,000 who have been caught by US authorities at the border were Guatemalan.

A statement said: 'They discussed the significant risks to those leaving their homes and making the dangerous journey to the United States, especially during a global pandemic.'

The following day, she led a discussion with faith leaders where she encouraged their communities to take up the vaccine.

She returned home to California on Thursday, April 1, her third visit during the administration.

Harris spent the weekend at home where she baked a 'beautiful' roast pork with rice and peas, according to the LA Times.

She had no public events over the weekend until she traveled to her hometown of Oakland on Monday where she met with California Gov. Gavin Newsom and gave her support as he faces a potential recall election.

The Vice President toured a water treatment plant to highlight the benefits of the American Jobs Plan and held a 'listening session' with business owners.

She said during her visit to the East Bay Municipal Utility District’s Upper San Leandro treatment plant, in an area affected by drought: 'For years there were wars fought over oil. In a short time there will be wars fought over water.

'We must address inequities in access to clean water, at local state federal levels, understanding opportunities to build back up infrastructure around water.'

Republican National Committee spokesman Keith Schipper said: 'It's been nearly two weeks since Vice President Kamala Harris was named manager of the Biden Border Crisis, and while she has made time to return home to the Bay Area, Harris has refused to visit the border — which is only 500 miles from her location today — to survey the crisis firsthand.

'Californians don't find this border crisis funny and demand the so-called manager get to work fixing the problem this administration created.'

On Tuesday, Harris traveled to Chicago where she toured a Covid vaccine site before returning to Washington DC.

Upon her return to DC, Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff moved in to their official residence, just days after it emerged she was unhappy about living out of suitcases while it was being renovated.

The Naval Observatory - the VP's official residence - has been out of action for more than two months while it undergoes much-needed updates.

The pair had been living at Blair House, across the road from the White House, since January - an arrangement that was reportedly beginning to wear on Harris.

'She is getting frustrated,' an administration official told CNN, noting that every day her desire to move into her designated house grows more intense.

But it seems that she has now had the green light to move into the official property.

Just days before she was tasked with addressing the migrant crisis, Harris laughed when she was asked if she would visit the border.

She was in Jacksonville to address food insecurity and vaccinations when asked if she had plans to visit the border.

Harris replied laughing: 'Not today. But I have before and I'm sure I will again.'

Kamala's schedule since becoming 'Border Czar'

March 25 - Washington DC: Virtual Passover

March 26 - New Haven, Connecticut: meeting with Boys and Girls Club and education leaders

March 27-28 - Washington DC: no public commitments

March 29 - Washington DC: Covid briefing and delivering pandemic remarks

March 30 - Washington DC: Signed the PPP extension into law and spoke with Guatemalan President

April 1 - Washington DC/Los Angeles, California: Met with stakeholders before traveling to her Brentwood home

April 2-4 - Los Angeles: At home with no public commitments

April 5 - Oakland, California: Met Gavin Newsom, toured water treatment plant and met business leaders

April 6 - Chicago, Illinois: Toured a Covid vaccination site before returning to Washington DC

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9444413/Kamala-Harris-not-visited-Mexico-border-taking-charge-migrant-crisis.html



69
Off-Topic / Re: Motorola or Samsung
« on: April 07, 2021, 09:13:12 am »Message ID: 1354559
Samsung is a better phones & other electronic equipment's!

70
Off-Topic / Re: Happy Easter
« on: April 04, 2021, 10:30:17 am »Message ID: 1354383
Happy Easter!

71
Off-Topic / Biden is set to announce $3TRILLION in tax hikes tomorrow: President will target
« on: March 30, 2021, 11:52:27 am »Message ID: 1354002
Biden is set to announce $3TRILLION in tax hikes tomorrow: President will target businesses, married couples, high earners on more than $400k, and estates to fund his climate-friendly infrastructure package

* Biden is set to announce his infrastructure plan Wednesday in Pittsburgh
* Total price tag has been pegged at between $3 trillion and $4 trillion
* The administration is working on hikes that could make up $3T of the package
* Biden says families earning less than $400,000 won't get tax hit
* But he is set to target business, married couples and estates
* The White House has backtracked on plans to tax drivers by the mile 
* Individuals filing jointly could still get hit, one tax expert says
* Move to take on 'stepped up' basis for capital gains on investments
* White House said Biden would propose paying for proposals 'over time'

President Joe Biden is set to announce up to $3trillion in tax increases targeting the rich and middle class when he unveils his infrastructure package in Pittsburgh tomorrow.

The hikes could hit Americans earning more than $400,000 a year, businesses, married couples and estates. 

It is part of his bid to fund the revenue needed for his bold proposal to pay for new roads, bridges, green technology and 'human infrastructure' - which includes subsidies for Americans to pay for health insurance and measures to cut child poverty.

But the White House is not drawing a line in the sand over Biden's tax hikes – and even allowing for the possibility the package that moves through Congress not be fully paid for.

'The president believes its responsible to propose a way for paying over time,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday.

'There will be a range of views including how to pay for it. 'Some people may not want to pay for it,' she noted, adding that Biden is 'open to having those discussions.'

Psaki held back details about what exactly Biden would propose. 'He believes that there’s more that can be done to make the corporate tax code fair – to reward work, not wealth,' she said.

While the White House will put out details on paper, Biden's role will be 'laying out ... a broad vision ,a bold vision for how we can invest in America .'

The increases could total $3 trillion, the Washington Post reported, with the cost of the infrastructure package running as high as $4 trillion. The rest of the money needed could be made up by borrowing.

One substantial hike that Biden campaigned on is raising the corporate tax rate to 28 per cent, from 21 per cent. Trump signed legislation dropping the rate to its present level from 35 per cent.

Biden has pledged that families earning less than $400,000 would not have their taxes raised, and White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said this would apply to individual filers as well.

But tax expert Timothy McGrath of Riverpoint Wealth Management told Fox Business there could be scenarios would individuals making less than $400,000 do get hit if they file taxes jointly with their spouse.

Two individuals each earning $200,000 could get pushed into the top bracket, with the top rate rising to 39.6 per cent. 

'It's a significant disadvantage to married couples,'McGrath said. 'It's another marriage penalty, and this is nothing new in the tax system.'

Another potential pay-for would get at the 'stepped up' basis for investments that go into estates. Under current law, long-held investments that get transferred at the time of death are only taxed when sold, and the new basis for taxation is set at the higher level at the time of death – potentially shielding millions worth of gains.

A new draft proposal floated by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) would shield the first $1 million, but the rest would be subject to taxation, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Some tax ideas are dying just days after getting floated by the administration – a reminder of the difficulty getting any of the proposals through Congress.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg touted a potential mileage tax last week to fund road improvements, only to say it wasn't being considered for the infrastructure package. 

The White House also rejected those ideas.

A gas tax is politically risky and would weigh more heavily on lower-income Americans, who often travel longer distances for work.

House Democratic centrists, meanwhile, are making a play to raise the $10,000 cap on deductions for State and Local Taxes imposed by the Trump tax legislation. This would add costs to tax and infrastructure legislation.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) has already threatened not to go along with any tax legislation that doesn't take care of the issue, which hits homeowners in states like his with high property values. Given Speaker Nancy Pelosi's tiny majority, Gottheimer and his allies have leverage.

'No SALT, no dice,' he told Axios this week.

White House aides say that Biden may also rely on some federal borrowing to fund the package, given historically low interest rates.

Whatever the plan, it is likely to inspire heated debate among Republicans, Democrats, economists and academics about the right way to plug the holes in the U.S. economy opened by the vast spread of COVID-19.

'The president has a plan to fix the infrastructure of our country... and he has a plan to pay for it,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Monday. If members of Congress don´t like it, 'we´re happy to look at their proposals,' Psaki added.

The nation's nearly 50,000 miles of interstate highways were considered one of the world's cutting-edge infrastructure projects when they were constructed.

But the national piggy bank for funding road and mass transit projects since 1956, the Highway Trust Fund, has been in the red since 2008.

Congressional budget forecasters warn it could have a $207 billion shortfall by 2031 without new sources of revenue.

The fund is powered by an 18.4 cent per gallon tax on gasoline and a 24.4 cent tax on diesel, both of which have not been raised in nearly three decades, even as fuel efficiency standards have improved.

That makes fuel cheap. German drivers paid $6.12 per gallon of fuel in 2019, versus $2.87 in the United States, according to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. In Britain, taxes account for 63% of the fuel price at the pump, versus 19% in the United States.

Biden has vowed not to raise taxes on Americans making less than $400,000 a year, which includes the overwhelming majority of the country.

Influential trade groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have failed to convince lawmakers to raise the fuel tax to pay for roads. 'We believe in a user-based system for roads, bridges and transit' said Ed Mortimer, its vice president of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Some Republicans, including Senate committee leaders John Barrasso, of Wyoming, and Chuck Grassley, of Iowa, introduced a bill that included a gas hike tied to inflation and a national electric vehicle fee last year.

Some sort of compromise on funding is necessary.

'If the White House and lawmakers can't find agreement on the Highway Trust Fund, then it doesn't bode well for the rest of the package,' said Quincy Krosby, chief markets strategist at Prudential Financial, who consults on transportation financing.

Biden is also expected to ignore calls from lawmakers for a new way to tax motorists based on how far they drive, not how much fuel they use, a third source familiar with the plan told Reuters.

Tax Hikes Americans Are Facing: 
Tax hikes for American households making more than $400,000 a year. It is unclear how much, financial experts say it could hit married couples.

Biden could raise the corporate tax rate to 28 per cent, from 21 per cent. Trump signed legislation dropping the rate to its present level from 35 per cent

Another potential pay-for would get at the 'stepped up' basis for investments that go into estates
White House has floated the idea of more taxes on motorists, but has scaled back plans for a pay-per-mile scheme.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9418613/Joe-Biden-prepares-announce-3-trillion-tax-hikes-fund-infrastructure-package.html

72
Off-Topic / Re: Did you/are you getting the COVID shot?
« on: March 29, 2021, 11:50:27 am »Message ID: 1353945
Going on Wednesday 1st. shot! Took several days to get appointment finally!

For those still looking for appointments check here!
https://vaccinefinder.org/

73
Off-Topic / Re: banana tree
« on: March 29, 2021, 10:08:13 am »Message ID: 1353940

74
Off-Topic / Re: commercials you can't stand
« on: March 25, 2021, 11:00:03 am »Message ID: 1353555
Insurance ads Gieco, All State

75
Off-Topic / Re: More rain
« on: March 25, 2021, 10:58:48 am »Message ID: 1353554
Haven't had any rain for 2 months in Southern Calif.

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