Tag Archives: Jen Psaki

Business

White House looks to rein in gas prices ahead of busy travel season

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The White House is pulling out various stops in an effort to get gas prices under control at the start of what is expected to be a busy holiday travel season.

The administration is tapping into the strategic petroleum reserve and President BidenJoe BidenOvernight Health Care — Feds, military top 90 percent vaccine rate Cities prep security plans for large holiday crowds On The Money — Biden’s big plans for the Fed MORE has called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether oil companies are responsible for increased prices.

But the focus on gas prices has provided fuel for Republican attacks on Biden’s handling of the economy, and his energy policies in particular, at a time when the White House is hoping to rally support for ambitious climate goals in its roughly $2 trillion spending plan.

AAA predicted this month that 53.4 million people will travel for the Thanksgiving holiday, a 13 percent increase from 2020 when many Americans opted not to travel with coronavirus cases and deaths surging around the country.

The busy travel season to come has put a spotlight on gas prices in particular amid broader concerns about inflation, something the White House has attempted to show it has under control.

“Obviously, the president does not control the price of gasoline — no president does,” Energy Secretary Jennifer GranholmJennifer GranholmButtigieg has high name recognition, favorability rating in Biden Cabinet: survey Energy chief describes oil reserve release as ‘bridge’ before prices fall Will Biden’s release of oil reserves ease prices? Experts say it’s unlikely MORE told reporters on Tuesday. “But what we’re seeing right now is this global mismatch between supply and demand. Oil production is lagging behind as the rest of the economy roars back to life after the shutdown.”

“So, we, in this administration, are leaving no stone unturned as we examine the market to figure out what’s behind the high prices,” she said.

The White House has shown more urgency in recent weeks in publicly messaging how it is trying to provide relief for Americans grappling with inflation, particularly after the Labor Department released statistics showing consumer prices grew far faster than expected in October and that annual inflation had hit a 30-year high. That rise was in part a result of rising energy costs, and increased costs at the gas pump.

Biden last week wrote to the Federal Trade Commission requesting the agency look into whether oil companies were unfairly spiking prices at the pump.

And on Tuesday, the administration announced it would release 50 million barrels of oil from the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve in coordination with several other countries in an effort to match supply with demand.

Experts have questioned whether either move will do much to meaningfully bring down prices immediately, and they cautioned other factors, like the course of the pandemic, are more likely to affect the trajectory in the months to come.

That has led some conservatives to question whether the White House’s actions on gas prices were more of a political maneuver as poll after poll has shown voters souring on Biden, particularly over his handling of the economy, with his approval ratings dropping into the low 40s.

“This is being done in order to use every tool at the president’s disposal to lower the price of gas for the American people,” White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiBiden: Guilty verdicts in Arbery case ‘not enough’ Buttigieg has high name recognition, favorability rating in Biden Cabinet: survey Overnight Energy & Environment — Biden to release 50M barrels from oil reserve MORE said Tuesday when asked if tapping into the strategic reserve was being done for political purposes.

Republicans have gone on offense over inflation for the last few weeks, and the Biden administration’s decision to release oil from the strategic reserve provided more fodder for attacks on its energy policies.

Former President Donald TrumpDonald TrumpTrump Organization exec not expecting to face charges, lawyer says Marjorie Taylor Greene introduces bill to award Congressional Gold Medal to Rittenhouse Drones are a strategic liability for US MORE and GOP lawmakers argued the Biden administration’s desire to shift away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy industries has led to problems at the pump.

“Today’s announcement is nothing more than a gesture. If the president and his administration wanted to make a real, long-term impact, they would work to maximize domestic production and expedite energy infrastructure like pipelines—not close federal lands to drilling and add a federal tax to methane,” Sen. Shelley Moore CapitoShelley Wellons Moore CapitoBipartisan success in the Senate signals room for more compromise Biden administration takes step toward reversing Trump water regulations rollback Meghan: Paid leave not about politics, ‘just a humanitarian issue’ MORE (R-W.Va.), ranking member on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said in a statement.

Sen. John BarrassoJohn Anthony BarrassoBiden administration to release 50 million barrels of oil from strategic reserve Energy information chief blames market for high fuel prices Let’s plan for human ingenuity in our fight against climate change MORE (R-Wyo.), the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, accused Democrats of “waging a war on American energy.

Even Sen. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinBernie Sanders’ ex-spokesperson apprehensive over effectiveness of SALT deductions The GOP’s post-1/6 playbook is clear — and it’s dangerous Giving thanks — and thinking about the hungry MORE (D-W.Va.), who has opposed some climate initiatives in Biden’s Build Back Better agenda, called the release of oil from the reserves an “important policy Band-Aid for rising gas prices” while criticizing the administration’s energy policy as “shortsighted.”

Biden in remarks Tuesday sought to assure the public that the U.S. economy was on the upswing and a rise in prices would not be a long-term concern.

“I also want to briefly address one myth about inflated gas prices: They are not due to environmental measures. My effort to combat climate change is not raising the price of gas or increasing its availability,” Biden said in prepared remarks, arguing investments in electric vehicles, solar panels and other sectors would spur job creation and innovation.

“Let’s beat climate change with more extensive innovation and opportunities,” he added. “We can make our economy and consumers less vulnerable to these sorts of price spikes when we do that.”



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US

Biden nominates two picks to replace members of US Postal Service board

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President BidenJoe BidenHouse Democrats push vote on social spending plan to Friday Fauci says all adults should ‘go get boosted’ Senate confirms Park Service director after years of acting heads MORE said Friday that he would not be renominating two Postal Service Board of Governors members, including its chairman, announcing two nominations to take their place.

A White House statement said that Biden is nominating former General Services Administration Administrator Daniel Tangherlini and e-commerce fulfillment start-up executive Derek Kan to fill the two spots. Tangherlini and Kan would be replacing chairman Ron Bloom and John Barger.

Those nominations now await Senate confirmation.

“The Postal Service congratulates Derek Kan and Dan Tangherlini on their nominations by the President to serve as Governors on the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service. We wish them well as they proceed through the United States Senate confirmation process,” the agency said in a statement.

“We thank Chairman Ron Bloom and Governor John Barger for their steady leadership and dedicated service to the Postal Service and the American people,” it continued. “We are grateful for their contributions to the development of the Postal Service’s Delivering for America 10-year plan to achieve financial sustainability and service excellence, and look forward to continuing to work with them as they serve out their terms.”

The Washington Post had reported earlier that the president was set to make an announcement on Friday that Bloom would not be renominated.

The newspaper, who spoke to three people familiar with the matter, reported that it signaled an uncertain future for Postmaster General Louis DeJoyLouis DeJoyPostal Service loss nearly halved DeJoy: Postal Service to add 45 facilities ahead of holiday season America is not delivering MORE, an ally of Bloom’s who has been viewed less favorably by Democrats and the White House.

Bloom was elected chairman of the Postal Service Board of Governors earlier this year after previously being appointed to the board in 2019 by former President TrumpDonald TrumpGOP Senate candidate says Fauci is ‘mass murderer,’ should be jailed rather than ‘hero’ Rittenhouse Overnight Health Care — Presented by Emergent Biosolutions — Pfizer, US strike COVID-19 pill deal On The Money — House Democrats ready to Build Back Better MORE.

Previously, he served as assistant to the president on manufacturing policy under the Obama administration.

Only the Board of Governors has the ability to remove DeJoy from his position, and the decision to not re-nominate Bloom could be a step in the direction toward shoring up enough votes to oust the postmaster general, according to the Post. 

DeJoy has faced calls to leave his post, especially amid concerns last year that issues at the agency could affect the delivery of larger numbers of mail-in ballots, driven in part by the pandemic.  

Biden press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiOn The Money — House Democrats ready to Build Back Better Harris’s communications director to depart next month White House tells businesses to move forward with vaccine mandate MORE did not directly answer a question in February regarding whether the White House was looking to have the postmaster general replaced but seemed to acknowledge the point. 

“I think the president is certainly familiar with the process,” she said at the time. “He believes the leadership can do better, and we are eager to have the board of governors in place.”

Updated at 11:33 a.m. 



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US

Biden to meet House Dems before Europe trip: report

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President BidenJoe BidenBiden invokes Trump in bid to boost McAuliffe ahead of Election Day Business lobby calls for administration to ‘pump the brakes’ on vaccine mandate Overnight Defense & National Security — Presented by Boeing — Afghanistan reckoning shows no signs of stopping MORE is expected to attend a House Democratic caucus meeting on Thursday morning before he departs for Europe to attend a pair of global summits, in a last-minute attempt to push through the multi-billion dollar bipartisan infrastructure bill.

Sources familiar with the plans told NBC News that Biden is expected to attend the 9 a.m. meeting on Capitol Hill, where he will push progressives to help get the infrastructure bill passed.

Many progressives in the House are still refusing to vote for the infrastructure package until a deal is secured on a broader social spending package, called the Build Back Better Act.

NBC noted the meeting will likely delay Biden’s overseas travel plans, but White House Press Secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiOvernight Health Care — Presented by Altria — FDA advisers endorse Pfizer vaccine for kids The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Facebook – White House to host lawmakers as negotiations over agenda hit critical stage MORE has said that “flexibility” is built into the president’s schedule.

Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiOvernight On The Money — Senate Democrats lay out their tax plans Democrats haggle as deal comes into focus Dem hopes for infrastructure vote hit brick wall MORE (D-Calif.) said in a letter to colleagues that “Democrats are close to agreement on the priorities and the topline” of the social spending package, as she aims for a vote on the infrastructure bill this week. She called on her colleagues to have some “trust” in each other for the sake of expediency.

“We are facing a crucial deadline for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework to pass. To do so, we must have trust and confidence in an agreement for the Build Back Better Act,” wrote Pelosi.

Heading into the high-stakes climate summit in Europe, Biden is already having to contend with losing key climate provisions in the spending package after centrist Sen. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinOvernight Energy & Environment — Presented by American Clean Power — Dems see path to deal on climate provisions Overnight On The Money — Senate Democrats lay out their tax plans Overnight Health Care — Presented by Altria — FDA advisers endorse Pfizer vaccine for kids MORE (D-W.Va) pushed back against the measures.

Democrats need all 50 of their senators on board to pass the social spending bill through the budget reconciliation process, which allows the party to bypass a Republican filibuster. 

Sen. Angus KingAngus KingSenate Democrats propose corporate minimum tax for spending package Lawmakers praise upcoming establishment of cyber bureau at State The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden, Democrats inch closer to legislative deal MORE said earlier this week that losing those provisions weakened Biden’s position in the United Nations climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, which begins this weekend.

“I think the most unfortunate part about losing the provisions of the reconciliation bill is that it weakens Joe Biden’s hands in Glasgow, the climate meeting that’s coming up, because if we’re going to get the rest of the world to take serious steps to remedy this problem, we’ve got to do it ourselves,” King said on Sunday.

Democrats have scrambled to find alternate climate provisions acceptable to Manchin, and have said they could still spend some $500 billion on climate-related programs. 

“We’re talking about an investment in climate change larger than the entire Department of Energy,” Biden’s chief of staff, Ron KlainRon KlainOvernight Energy & Environment — Presented by American Clean Power — Dems see path to deal on climate provisions White House plans for 0B for climate in Democratic spending bill Klain says it will ‘take time’ to heal country’s divisions MORE, said on Tuesday. “We just now have to go get that done. I think we’re making a lot of progress in that regard.”



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US

Psaki claims Biden owing $500K to IRS was ‘debunked’

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WASHINGTON — White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Tuesday claimed allegations that President Biden owes as much as $500,000 in unpaid Medicare taxes have been “debunked” — despite experts saying otherwise.

The issue re-emerged last month when Republicans accused Biden of hypocritically pushing for other wealthy people to pay their “fair share” to fund new social spending.

Psaki grew visibly annoyed when asked about the issue by The Post at her daily press briefing and cut off the line of questioning after an expert was cited, who affirmed Biden might indeed owe taxes.

“This is a very long question. I think I know what you’re getting at. This has been debunked, as you probably know. Also he’s released many, many years of his tax returns so people can check them out,” Psaki said.

She made the declaration despite being presented with a quote from tax law expert Bob Willens, an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s business school, who recently said that “in my view, the case can easily be made” that Biden owes back taxes. 

When The Post pointed out that “it hasn’t been debunked though, I just cited an expert,” Psaki cut off the inquiry and asked another reporter to ask a question.

Psaki said President Biden’s tax returns have previously been released.
Susan Walsh/AP
White House press secretary Jen Psaki claims the back taxes claim has also been “debunked.”
Susan Walsh/AP

“Go ahead, George… I think we are going to move on to some more topics,” she said.

Experts say that the notion that Biden owes taxes is not debunked.

Willens, whose opinion was cited to Psaki, said that although he believes there’s a case to be made against Biden, “Whether the IRS would be willing to make that case, however, is questionable given the identity of the shareholder.”

Biden and first lady Jill Biden routed more than $13 million through “S corporations” and counted less than $800,000 of it as salary eligible for the Medicare tax — exempting the rest from what would have been a 3.8 percent rate.

He should have paid the tax on the share of this income that was earned as a result of his own labor, experts say.

The question of whether Biden improperly avoided paying taxes resurfaced when Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) requested a report from the Congressional Research Service on S corporation tax obligations. Banks’ office provided a copy of the report to The Post, arguing that it shows Biden owes the IRS back taxes.

“Joe Biden wants to raise taxes by $2.1 trillion while claiming the rich need to pay their ‘fair share.’ But in 2017, multi-millionaire Joe Biden skirted his payroll taxes — the very taxes that fund Medicare and Obamacare,” Banks said.

“According to the criteria CRS provided to my office, he owes the IRS and the American people hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes.”

Biden, a longtime senator who branded himself “Middle Class Joe,” frequently calls on upper-income people to pay their “fair share,” saying that aside from tax hikes, the rich often avoid paying existing taxes that they owe. 

President Biden has continually called on wealthier Americans to pay an appropriate amount in taxes.
Susan Walsh, File/AP

Tax experts told The Post that Biden’s tax-avoidance strategy is so common that the IRS doesn’t have the resources to haul into court every S corporation owner who dubiously underestimates their “salary” to avoid the Medicare tax.

John Bogdanski, a former member of the IRS Commissioner’s Advisory Group and a professor at Lewis & Clark law school, said, “There are millions — literally millions — of S corporations. So there might be a half a million S corporations that are playing this game. And the IRS doesn’t have anywhere near enough of a budget to bring a half a million cases every year.”

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US

Here’s what to do if your student loans are forgiven

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seksan Mongkhonkhamsao | Moment | Getty Images

It’s a question millions of Americans would love the chance to ask: What should I do after my student loans are canceled?

The Biden administration has already given more than 450,000 borrowers reason to think about that, after forgiving the debt for certain disabled borrowers and others who attended fraudulent colleges.

More than 40 million people, of course, are still saddled with the loans, but there are signs that more relief could be on the way.

The U.S. Department of Education has announced that it will be making a number of changes to broaden the reach of the public service loan forgiveness program, which excuses the debt of those who’ve worked for the government or non-profits for a decade.

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And President Joe Biden has said he supports erasing at least $10,000 for all borrowers, while top Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., continue to pressure the president to wipe out $50,000 for all. Those proposals would leave between a third and more than 80% of borrowers debt-free.

Getting your student loans forgiven will likely be a turning point in your financial life.

The typical bill is around $400 a month, and research finds the payments make it harder for borrowers to start businesses, save for retirement and purchase a house.

“This is a great opportunity to go back and examine your cash flow so you can figure out where to deploy the money you were previously spending on your loan payments,” said Douglas Boneparth, certified financial planner and president of Bone Fide Wealth in New York.

First steps

Once a borrower’s loans are forgiven, they should ask their lender for a copy of their promissory note stamped “paid in full,” said Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, a nonprofit.

“This can take a few months,” Mayotte said. “I would save this, as well as the forgiveness approval letter, in their ‘never throw away’ files.”

It could take up to 60 days for your credit report to reflect the drop in debt, Mayotte said. (The three credit bureaus provide a free report once a year.)

“If it doesn’t after that period, the borrower should file a credit dispute or contact the loan servicer,” she said.

Financial moves

Experts recommend that people have enough cash in an emergency savings account to cover between three months to a year of their usual expenses should other income sources dry up.

“If you’re low on cash and could use a greater cushion, this is the first place I would consider putting my money,” Boneparth said.

To watch your savings grow faster, store your money in a high-yield savings account. Experts point out that it’s worth shopping around with different banks to find the best offer: The average online savings account rate is around 0.45%, while it’s just 0.14% with traditional brick-and-mortar banks and credit unions, according to DepositAccounts.com.

(You’ll just want to make sure any account you put your savings in is FDIC-insured, meaning up to $250,000 of your deposit is protected from loss.)

If you’re comfortable with the level of your emergency savings, Boneparth recommends redirecting the cash from your student loans to your retirement funds.

If your company offers a 401(k) match at work, try to salt away enough to get the full benefit. In addition, or if you’re self-employed or without a workplace retirement plan, you can save up to a certain amount each year in individual retirement accounts.

“If those are maxed out, start an automatic monthly investment plan to a brokerage account,” Boneparth said.

If you have any credit card debt, experts also advise using the freed up cash to pay it down quicker.

Above all, try to avoid running up another tab, said higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz.

“Enjoy the sense of freedom that comes with being debt-free,” he said.

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World

China’s president vows ‘peaceful reunification’ with Taiwan

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Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged in a speech Saturday that there will be a “peaceful reunification” of Taiwan and China, comments that come amid the highest tensions in years between the two governments.

“Taiwan independence separatism is the biggest obstacle to achieving the reunification of the motherland, and the most serious hidden danger to national rejuvenation,” Xi said, according to Reuters. 

“No one should underestimate the Chinese people’s staunch determination, firm will, and strong ability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he added. “The historical task of the complete reunification of the motherland must be fulfilled, and will definitely be fulfilled.”

Although the speech did not include any threats of force, it was not received well by Taiwanese officials, who immediately rebuked the idea of reunification with China.

Taiwan’s presidential office said after the speech that it has already rejected offers of reunification and that Taiwan is an independent country, despite China not recognizing it, Reuters reported.

“The nation’s future rests in the hands of Taiwan’s people,” the office stated.

The exchange Saturday follows weeks of tensions between the democratically run island and Beijing.

Taiwan has been preparing for possible war after a series of increasingly aggressive military actions from China, including sending military plans into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone multiple times this month. 

China recently called on the U.S. not to interfere with its relations with Taiwan and keep troops out of the country after reports surfaced that American troops have been training Taiwanese soldiers secretly for a year. 

A recent poll indicated that a majority of Americans would support U.S. troops in Taiwan if China tried to invade the island.

“We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan, and we have an abiding interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. That’s why we will continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability,” White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiOvernight Health Care — Presented by EMAA — CDC sets panel meeting for remaining boosters, Pfizer vaccine for kids Biden signs bill to help victims of ‘Havana syndrome’ White House links Biden’s bad polling to pandemic MORE said Monday.



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Health

Biden risks global backlash on COVID-19 booster shots

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Global health advocates are pushing back on the Biden administration’s anticipated plans to start offering Americans a booster dose of coronavirus vaccine, arguing it will only deepen global inequalities.

Advocates argue that the evidence on boosters is not strong enough to justify wide-scale use and the U.S. needs to focus its attention on sending more doses abroad in order to stop the pandemic from worsening.

“Low-income countries still don’t have enough vaccines to give a single dose to even their most vulnerable people,” said Jenny Ottenhoff, senior policy director of global health and education at the ONE Campaign.

“This is just one more step that our government is taking that will widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots. And this is not just some moral stain on wealthy nations; it’s really prolonging the pandemic for the entire world,” she added.

Biden officials are set to formally announce as early as Wednesday a plan to provide booster doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to ensure lasting protection for Americans amid the highly contagious delta variant.

The move would represent a rapid shift in policy for the administration, which for months has been trying to tamp down a push for booster doses.

Just more than 50 percent of Americans are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, and while the pace of vaccinations has been increasing in recent weeks, millions are not vaccinated and have no interest in rolling up their sleeves.

Officials have tried to walk a fine line: They want to make sure the U.S. is prepared for any future COVID-19 complications while also prioritizing reaching the remaining unvaccinated.

The White House has also promised to be a world leader in donating the vaccine abroad, including purchasing and donating 500 million doses of the one manufactured by Pfizer and BioNtech.

Federal officials have said 200 million of those doses will be delivered by the end of this year and the remaining 300 million will be delivered in the first half of 2022.

On Tuesday, the White House announced the first recipients: About 188,000 doses of the 500 million would be sent to Rwanda, along with an additional 300,000 doses from the existing U.S. supply.

President BidenJoe BidenBiden administration to announce booster shots for most fully vaccinated Americans: reports Afghanistan falls in chaos: Five takeaways Trump ally Adam Laxalt files to challenge Cortez Masto in Nevada MORE and administration officials have also touted the fact that the U.S. has donated far more doses than other wealthy nations combined.

White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiThe Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by AT&T – Taliban topple Afghan government; critics blame Biden Senate backlog of Biden nominees frustrates White House On The Money: Federal judge rejects effort to block eviction moratorium | Moderates revolt on infrastructure in new challenge for Pelosi | Consumer confidence plunges in August MORE on Tuesday said it was a “false choice” that the U.S. would be unable to provide boosters domestically while also donating doses abroad.

“The U.S. is far and away the biggest contributor to the global supply. We will continue to be the arsenal for vaccines around the world. We also have enough supply and have long planned for enough supply should a booster be needed for the eligible population,” Psaki said.

Ottenhoff said she thinks Psaki is right and that the U.S. has the doses to spare.

“I think more than most countries, the United States is in a good position to do this,” Ottenhoff said.

“What the world really needs right now is leadership. That’s what’s been sorely missing since day one of this pandemic,” Ottenhoff continued. “Most countries have been looking inward and haven’t been really cooperating across global borders … and I think the Biden administration is really well positioned to play that role right now.”

Still, the number of doses shared by the U.S. falls far short of the billions of doses needed to vaccinate the rest of the world.

“Whether boosters are administered or not, more doses urgently need to be redistributed and allocated to health care workers and high-risk populations in low- and middle-income countries in order to vaccinate the world and end this pandemic,” Carrie Teicher, program director at Doctors Without Borders USA, said in an emailed statement.

The group has called on the U.S. to not only donate more doses in the short term but also put pressure on drug companies to share vaccine technology globally and scale up production in low- and middle-income countries.

The U.S. would not be the first country to move ahead with booster shots. Israel launched its first-in-the-world booster campaign two weeks ago, targeting Israelis over the age of 50 who received their second Pfizer dose more than five months ago. France and Germany have both approved booster doses for vulnerable populations beginning this fall.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a halt to booster shots in wealthy nations, at least through September, as poor countries struggle with access to vaccines.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus earlier this month said richer countries have administered about 100 doses of coronavirus vaccines for every 100 people on average, while low-income countries — hampered by short supplies — have provided only about 1.5 doses per 100 people.

“We cannot, and we should not, accept countries that have already used most of the global supply of vaccines using even more of it, while the world’s most vulnerable people remain unprotected,” Tedros said.



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US

DeSantis confronts growing resistance over COVID-19 handling

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MELBOURNE BEACH, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantisRon DeSantisAtlanta-area elementary students move to virtual learning after COVID-19 outbreak Psaki takes aim at DeSantis over Florida ventilator request The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Facebook – Senate Democrats pass .5T budget resolution MORE (R) is facing growing resistance to his hardline stance against COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates.

Officials in a handful of Florida school districts are moving to flout DeSantis’s July 30 executive order banning schools from requiring students to wear face masks, even as his administration threatens to withhold pay to superintendents and school board members who defy his orders.

At the same time, a federal judge delivered a blow this week to the governor’s efforts to prevent cruise operators from requiring passengers to show proof of vaccination, ruling in favor of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in a lawsuit seeking to block enforcement of the ban.

The efforts to defy DeSantis on his approach to the COVID-19 pandemic comes as Florida scrambles to contain a resurgence in the virus that has transformed the Sunshine State into the new epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States.

As of Monday, Florida is averaging more than 20,000 new infections each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control’s Covid Data Tracker. The Florida Hospital Association announced on Tuesday that some 14,787 people are hospitalized and nearly 90 percent of the state’s intensive care unit beds are filled. Hospitalizations are now up 145 percent from Florida’s previous peak in July 2020, according to the group.

“The governor – what he’s done, which I think is really almost sinister, is that he has taken this obvious health care challenge and decided to exploit it,” Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, a Democrat, said in an interview on NPR’s “All Things Considered” on Tuesday.

DeSantis and the Republican-controlled state legislature have sought to wrest control of the pandemic efforts from county and municipal officials in recent months, relying on a flurry of legislation and executive orders intended to curb local governments’ authority to impose coronavirus-related restrictions and mandates.

In May, DeSantis signed legislation giving him sweeping authority to invalidate local pandemic emergency measures, including mask mandates and school shutdowns. That legislation also made permanent an executive order that DeSantis signed earlier this year that banned businesses from requiring patrons to show proof of vaccinations.

But it was an executive order signed by DeSantis in late July banning schools from requiring face masks that touched off the recent furor from school districts.

On Tuesday, the Broward County School Board voted to maintain a mask mandate approved just days before the governor’s executive order, becoming the third school district in Florida to flout DeSantis’s order. School leaders in Leon County, which includes Tallahassee, and Alachua County, where Gainesville is located, have taken similar steps.

Students in those school districts are required to provide a doctor’s note to opt out of the masking requirements.

The efforts to defy the executive order have drawn the ire of DeSantis, who has argued that the ban on school mask mandates is intended to protect parents’ right to choose whether their children should wear masks. His office threatened this week to withhold the salaries of superintendents and school board members who intentionally ignore the order.

“Ultimately – Education funding is for the students,” said Christina Pushaw, a spokesperson for DeSantis. “The kids didn’t make the decision to encroach upon parents’ rights. So any financial penalties for breaking the rule would be targeted to those officials who made that decision.”

That was met with defiance from school officials, who said they were willing to proceed with the mandates despite the DeSantis administration’s threats. After the Broward County School Board voted on Tuesday to maintain its mandate, board member Nora Rupert challenged the governor: “Lose our salaries? Bring it.”

The Biden administration has also thrown its support behind the efforts to defy DeSantis’s executive order, telling reporters on Tuesday that it was examining how it could counter the potential pay cuts.

White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiOvernight Defense: The situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating — fast Trump Jr. slams White House for using social media influencer to push vaccination Senate confirms Biden’s first ambassador MORE said that the administration is looking into whether it can use unspent funds from the American Rescue Plan, the massive COVID-19 relief bill approved in March, to pay school officials who have their salaries docked.

“We’re continuing to look into what our options are to help protect and help support these teachers and administrators who are taking steps to protect the people in their communities,” Psaki said.

DeSantis responded to the White House’s suggestion on Tuesday, arguing that the federal government has no right to involve itself in parents’ decision to have their children wear masks or not.

“I think that they really believe government should rule over the parents’ decisions and I think the parents’ decision in this regard should ultimately be what is done,” DeSantis said at a press conference. “The idea that the federal government would get involved in that I think obviously would be very inappropriate.”

There are more battles on the horizon. A circuit judge in Leon County has scheduled a Friday hearing in a lawsuit brought by a dozen parents from several Florida counties challenging DeSantis’s executive order on masking in schools.

It’s not yet clear what effect the COVID-19 surge in Florida could have on DeSantis’s political ambitions.

The Florida governor, who’s up for reelection next year, rose to prominence among conservatives last year for his laissez faire – and at times defiant – approach to the coronavirus pandemic and quickly surged toward the top of the list of potential 2024 Republican presidential candidates.

A Florida Chamber of Commerce poll released last week found DeSantis’s approval above water at 54 percent. The same survey showed him in a strong position against his two main Democratic challengers, Rep. Charlie CristCharles (Charlie) Joseph CristThe Memo: DeSantis-Biden sniping underscores COVID-19 frustration US must support Lebanon as it faces economic and political instability Florida poll: DeSantis falls behind Crist as COVID-19 cases surge MORE (D-Fla.) and state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. He led Crist in the poll by 8 points and Fried by 9 points.

Another survey from St. Pete Polls, however, showed a less certain outlook for DeSantis. Forty-four percent of respondents in that poll said they approve of his job in the governor’s mansion compared to 49 percent who did not. The poll also showed DeSantis narrowly trailing Crist, while he led Fried by 3.3 percentage points.

The same survey from St. Pete Polls found a majority of likely Florida voters – 62 percent – in favor of a mask requirement for children in schools.

Still, DeSantis, who has cast himself as a conservative bulwark against a Democratic-controlled Washington, has continued to rake in massive sums of money to his political committee. In July alone, the Florida governor raised more than $4 million, far outpacing both Crist and Fried.

One Florida Republican strategist said that DeSantis remains the favorite to win reelection next year, noting the goodwill he carries among supporters of former President Donald TrumpDonald TrumpRand Paul disclosure shows his wife bought stock in COVID-19 treatment in late filing Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown considering return to politics Judge: Dominion suits against Trump allies Giuliani, Powell, Lindell can proceed MORE both in Florida and nationally.

The strategist also noted that DeSantis’s instincts on how to best handle the coronavirus pandemic have played out well for him in the past; as the governor eschewed some of the strictest COVID-19 restrictions last year, the state’s caseloads and death rate remained relatively low compared to other large states.

But, the strategist added, “there’s still a chance that maybe he doesn’t come out on top this time.”



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US

Democrats fear Harris can’t beat any GOPer in 2024, including Trump

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Democrats are increasingly fearful Vice President Kamala Harris’ missteps will open the door for Republicans to regain the White House, a new report said Friday.

Dems, including senior White House officials, fear that Harris will lose to any Republican she faces — including former President Donald Trump — if President Biden does not seek reelection in 2024, Axios reported.

At 56, Harris is more than two decades Biden’s junior — and has been considered the heir apparent to the 46th president since he selected her to be his running mate last year.

While Harris will still be the presumptive nominee if Biden becomes the first president since Lyndon Johnson to not seek a second full term, Axios reports that a series of blunders have left officials and operatives concerned.

Right now, one operative told Axios, the feeling among Democrats isn’t “‘Oh, no, our heir apparent is f—ing up, what are we gonna do?’ It’s more that people think, ‘Oh, she’s f—ing up, maybe she shouldn’t be the heir apparent.’”

Harris has repeatedly been criticized for her handling of the illegal immigration crisis along the US-Mexico border, a problem Biden dumped in her lap in March by tasking her to deal with the “root causes” of the issue.

The vice president initially ignored calls for her to visit the area, instead traveling to Guatemala and Mexico last month. While there, she shrugged off more questions about when she would visit the border, telling NBC’s Lester Holt that “I haven’t been to Europe” before adding, “I don’t understand the point that you’re making.”

Vice President Harris was criticized when she made her first trip to the United States-Mexico border in June. White House press secretary Jen Psaki and White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain have notably praised and defended Harris.
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That moment, which at least one commentator described as worthy of Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ character on the HBO show “Veep,” was followed last week by Harris traveling to El Paso, a perfunctory visit that took her hundreds of miles from the epicenter of the border crisis. Then, earlier this week, Politico dropped a bombshell report that described Harris’ office as “chaotic” with a “tense and at times dour” atmosphere.

“People are thrown under the bus from the very top, there are short fuses and it’s an abusive environment,” one of Politico’s nearly two dozen sources told the outlet. “It’s not a healthy environment and people often feel mistreated. It’s not a place where people feel supported but a place where people feel treated like sh–t.”

According to Axios, several White House officials have also described Harris’ office as a “sh—tshow,” poorly managed, and staffed with people who don’t know the vice president well.

Much of the blame has landed at the door of Harris Chief of Staff Tina Flournoy, who is depicted as so controlling and overly protective of the VP that requests for meetings and friendly interviews languish unanswered for weeks. Flournoy has also been accused of dismissing or ignoring staff ideas and refusing to delegate responsibility.

The Democratic officials who spoke to Axios said that in addition to Harris’ “handling of high-profile issues and political tone deafness,” they fear she’s been given bad advice by her press and communications people.

Harris still has her defenders, including senior adviser and chief spokesperson Symone Sanders, as well as White House senior adviser Cedric Richmond, who accused unnamed people of carrying out “a whisper campaign designed to sabotage her.”

“At some point it just becomes, one person says something long enough and it becomes an urban legend. It doesn’t have to be credible. It doesn’t have to be real. Someone says something and it can just snowball,” Richmond told Axios, later adding: “You’d just hope if there’s a legitimate criticism they’d put their name next to it.”

Meanwhile, White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain offered unreserved praise for Harris, telling Axios she was “off to the fastest and strongest start of any Vice President I have seen.”

At a news conference Friday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki called Harris “an incredibly important partner to the President of the United States. She has a challenging job, a hard job, and she has a great, supportive team of people around her.

“But other than that,” Psaki added, “I’m not going to have any more comments on those reports.”

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World

Saudi official made death threat against UN’s Khashoggi investigator: report

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A Saudi official reportedly issued what was perceived as a death threat against a United Nations investigator following her investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Speaking to The Guardian, Agnès Callamard, the organization’s special rapporteur for extrajudicial killings, said she was alerted to the threat by a UN colleague in January 2020. Two threats were allegedly made toward Callamard by a Saudi official during a meeting of senior UN officials in Geneva, in which the official reportedly threatened to have her “taken care of” if she was not reined in by the UN.

“A death threat. That was how it was understood,” Callamard said when asked how her colleagues saw the statement.

After UN officials voiced alarm at the threat, other Saudi officials tried to reassure them that the threat should not be taken seriously, the Guardian reports. But after the officials left, the Saudi official remained and repeated their alleged threat to the UN officials.

“It was reported to me at the time and it was one occasion where the United Nations was actually very strong on that issue. People that were present, and also subsequently, made it clear to the Saudi delegation that this was absolutely inappropriate and that there was an expectation that this should not go further,” Callamard told the Guardian.

During the “high-level” meeting between Saudi diplomats in Geneva, visiting Saudi officials and senior UN officials, Callamard’s investigation into the Khashoggi killing was angrily criticized by the Saudis, Callamard said. The Saudi officials also reportedly baselessly claimed that Callamard had been paid by the Qatari government.

As the Guardian reports, Callamard’s 100-page report published in 2019 concluded there was “credible evidence” that Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman was behind Khashoggi’s death, along with other Saudi officials. The Saudi government has repeatedly denied that the crown prince ordered Khashoggi’s death.

The Biden administration has faced widespread criticism for its decision not to penalize the crown prince for Khashoggi’s killing, though it did issue sanctions and visa restrictions against other Saudi figures linked to the killing.

“This is a crucial step because it structurally addresses an unacceptable pattern of targeting, monitoring, harassment and threats to dissidents and journalists,” White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiOn The Money: New batch of stimulus payments to hit accounts Wednesday | Biden eyes T infrastructure package | Senate confirms Walsh as Labor secretary White House eyes sweeping T spending proposal Texas Democrat’s office reveals photos of crowded Border Patrol facility MORE said early in March when defending the administration’s decision. “Our national security team believes this going after the network responsible for these actions is the best way to prevent a crime like this from ever happening again.”



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