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US

Biden says he’s “not sure” about voting bills’ future after Sinema reiterates opposition to rule change

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President Biden met Thursday afternoon with Senate Democrats, saying “as long as I’m in the White House … I’m going to be fighting for these bills,” hours after Senator Kyrsten Sinema, one of two Senate Democrats known to oppose changes to Senate rules, said Thursday on the Senate floor that she will not change her position. 

Her remarks come moments ahead of Mr. Biden’s lunchtime meeting with Senate Democrats in which he encouraged lawmakers to overhaul Senate rules to allow the voting bills to pass with a simple majority, rather than 60 votes. Following that meeting, the president told reporters he hopes they can pass the legislation but he’s “not certain” they can. 

“Like every other major civil rights bill that came along, if we missed the first time, we could come back and try it a second time. We missed this time. We missed this time,” he said. “… I don’t know that we can get it done, but I know one thing: As long as I have a breath in me, as long as I am in the White House, as long as I’m engaged at all, I’m gonna’ be fighting to change the way these legislatures have moved.”

Arizona’s Sinema and West Virginia’s Joe Manchin have repeatedly and openly expressed their opposition to such a change. National Democrats are trying to pass the Freedom to Vote Act, which would establish national election standards, and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would reinstate a core provision of the Voting Rights Act.

Manchin and Sinema met with Mr. Biden Thursday night. After the session, a White House official said only that, “The President hosted Senator Manchin and Senator Sinema at the White House tonight for a candid and respectful exchange of views about voting rights.” 

Sinema said she continues to support the legislation and emphasized the need to prohibit states from restricting voting access, but said such change cannot come at the cost of further division. 

 U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to reporters after a meeting with Senate Democrats in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on January 13, 2022 in Washington, DC. 

Drew Angerer / Getty Images


“While I continue to support these bills, I will not support separate actions that worsen the underlying disease of division afflicting our country,” Sinema said on the Senate floor. “There’s no need for me to restate my longstanding support for the 60 vote threshold to pass legislation. And there’s no need for me to restate its role protecting our country from wild reversals in federal policy.”

Eliminating the 60-rule vote on a party line “will not guarantee that we prevent demagogues from winning office,” she said. 

“Eliminating the 60-vote threshold will simply guarantee that we lose a critical tool that we need to safeguard our democracy from threats in the years to come,” she added. 

The senator from Arizona expressed frustration with both Republicans in blocking the voting legislation, and Democrats in trying to alter Senate rules. 

Following the meeting, the president said he hopes they can pass the legislation, but isn’t sure. 

“I hope we can get this done,” he told reporters. “But I’m not sure.”

Manchin said the president gave a “wonderful speech,” while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Senate Democrats are “going to do everything we can to pass these two bills.” 

In a speech in Atlanta on Tuesday, the president said publicly for the first time that he supports nixing the filibuster for the voting bills. 

“I’ve been having these quiet conversations with members of Congress for the last two months. I’m tired of being quiet!” the president exclaimed.

The House on Thursday, in a 220-203 vote, passed a consolidated voting bill that would be the first step in enabling the Senate to debate voting rights changes on the floor. 

“Nothing less than our democracy is at stake,” Pelosi said Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, Republicans are warning the president and Senate Democrats against changing the Senate rules.

“This is more than just about one issue,” said Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia. “This is about fundamentally changing the fabric, the fence that the Senate provides by having the filibuster in place to make sure that we don’t have the dramatic swings from administration to administration, from majority to minority, [from] Republican to Democratic, and that we keep the ship sort of going in the right direction and working together at the same time.”

White House press secretary Jen Psaki didn’t say whether the White House has identified more executive actions the president can and plans to take, pointing out the president signed an executive order early on in his presidency to promote voting rights. Psaki acknowledged that it can be difficult to get things done with a small majority in the Senate. 

“The president’s view is we’re going to keep pushing for hard things, and we’re going to keep pushing the boulders up the hill to get it done,” she said. 

CBS News’ Jack Turman, Fin Gomez and Adam Brewster contributed to this report. 

Kathryn Watson

Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital based in Washington, D.C.

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World

White House reiterates that US is ready to act if Russia invades Ukraine

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“We have been clear that there will be significant consequences” if Russia attacks, the official said. The penalties would be coordinated closely with US allies and partners and would severely damage Russia’s economy, the official said. Such a move would also result in NATO capabilities being moved closer to Russia.

In a statement posted to Twitter on Thursday, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss used similar language, emphasizing that any incursion would be “a massive strategic mistake and would be met with strength, including coordinated sanctions with our allies.” She condemned Russia’s “aggressive and inflammatory rhetoric” against Ukraine and NATO, adding that the UK’s support for Ukraine was “unwavering.”

The US and Russia both indicated on Thursday that the ball is in the other’s court when it comes to deterring an invasion of Ukraine, showing little sign that a diplomatic agreement is imminent as Russian President Vladimir Putin has continued to mass forces near Ukraine’s border — despite a direct warning by President Joe Biden earlier this month to de-escalate.

Speaking just hours after Putin’s marathon year-end news conference, in which he said Russia’s actions will depend on the US’s and NATO’s “unconditional ensuring of Russia’s security today and in the future,” the US official said the Biden administration is prepared to discuss some of Russia’s concerns.

But the official said Russia has made some demands “that they know we can never agree to.” And in an apparent rebuke of Russian officials’ insistence in recent days that it would engage only in bilateral talks with the US, the official said any dialogue “must also take place in full coordination with our allies.”

Still, the official said, “the Biden administration is willing to engage with Russia through multiple channels as soon as early January.” A date and time for the discussions has not been set yet.

Putin blames West for growing tensions

In his annual year-end news conference on Thursday, Putin deflected when asked whether Russia plans to invade Ukraine. “How would the Americans react if, on their frontier with Canada, we deployed our missiles?” he told reporters. “It’s a question of security, and you know our red lines.”

“They just deceived us blatantly. Five waves of NATO expansion. And there you go — they’re now in Romania and Poland, with weapons systems,” Putin added.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki pushed back on Putin’s comments on Thursday: “Well, facts are a funny thing, and facts make clear that the only aggression we’re seeing at the border of Russia and Ukraine is the military buildup by the Russians and the bellicose rhetoric from the leader of Russia.”

Psaki added that NATO “is a defensive alliance, not an aggressive alliance. There is no evidence to the contrary, to suggest anything to the contrary, from the United States or NATO members, and of course our efforts are to work with and defend our NATO partners.”

Adding to the flurry of diplomatic activity surrounding the crisis, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with both Truss and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday about the Russian aggression and the consequences they would be prepared to impose in the event of an invasion.

The White House said national security adviser Jake Sullivan had spoken Thursday with Ukrainian Head of Presidential Administration Andriy Yermak, discussing “their shared concerns and common approach regarding Russia’s military build-up near Ukraine’s border.” The White House statement said Sullivan also had “underscored the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Aggressive moves by Moscow

More Russian military units have been sent to the border area in recent days, sources familiar with the intelligence tell CNN. The latest US intelligence assessments place more than 50 so-called “Battalion Tactical Groups” deployed on and around the Ukraine border.

US and Ukrainian officials have also seen evidence that Russia has begun diverting commercial air and rail systems to support the military effort, though similar air and rail activity was visible in the spring during Russia’s last military buildup, which was ultimately pulled back.

Russia has been demanding security guarantees from the US and NATO, including a binding pledge that NATO won’t expand farther east and will not allow Ukraine to join the military alliance, according to a draft proposal posted online last week by Russia’s Foreign Ministry. The senior administration official told reporters on Thursday that “we don’t plan to negotiate in public” and declined to say which aspects of Russia’s proposals were open to negotiation.

“I expect we will have our substantive response in those talks” in January, the official said. “We have not responded substantively to the proposals that have been made other than to say … clearly there are some things that have been proposed that we will never agree to, and I think the Russians probably know that on some level. We think there are other areas where we may be able to explore what’s possible.”

This story has been updated with further developments Thursday.

CNN’s Donald Judd contributed to this report.

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Sports

Miami Dolphins coach reiterates support for Tua Tagovailoa as Deshaun Watson rumors swirl

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11:44 AM ET

  • Marcel Louis-JacquesESPN

MIAMI — Dolphins coach Brian Flores gave a public endorsement Friday of Tua Tagovailoa, after rumors of a potential trade for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson again flared earlier this week.

“I don’t really get into rumors — Tua is our quarterback,” Flores said when asked about Watson. “We’re happy with the quarterback, our quarterback situation. I’ll leave it at that, which I’ve said multiple times.”

The Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday that a trade between Miami and Houston could be finalized this week involving Watson, who is facing 22 active lawsuits alleging sexual assault and inappropriate behavior. He requested a trade in January before the first such lawsuit was levied against him, and he has not played in or been active for any game this season.

Tagovailoa, who missed three games with fractured ribs, led the Dolphins to their lone win of the season in Week 1; they’re currently on a five-game losing streak.

Flores previously backed Tagovailoa during a team meeting the week leading up to Miami’s win over the Patriots. He publicly called Tagovailoa “our quarterback” later that week, saying it was important for players and coaches to feel as if they have their organization’s support.

“I think it means a lot with it coming from the head coach,” Tagovailoa said in September. “The support that I have from him and from the team, it means a lot.”

The No. 5 pick in 2020 has thrown for 544 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in three games this season, although he played only six snaps against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 before leaving with fractured ribs. He returned from injured reserve for Miami’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, completing 33 of 47 passes for 329 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception.

Flores praised Tagovailoa’s play this season, as well as the way he conducts himself throughout the week.

“I think his preparation, the way he practices and the way he performs has been good. I thought he played very well last week,” Flores said. “I think his psyche is in a good place. He’s a confident kid, he’s a tough kid and really, he’s played in two games this year, so he should have a lot of confidence in the way he’s played. We have a lot of confidence in him because of the way he’s played.

“He’s developing. I think this kid is smart, I think he’s, I think he’s talented. I think he’s accurate, I think he definitely has the opportunity to be a very good NFL player. … There’s always bumps in the road for anyone in any career, any profession. You have to work through those and you become better for it.”

Rumors about the Dolphins trading for Watson have swirled for months, with Miami reportedly being the quarterback’s preferred destination. However, Watson has yet to face punishment from the NFL while the investigations into the allegations about his behavior continue. Houston has made clear its intentions to keep Watson sidelined, but it is unclear whether he would be allowed to play this season if he were traded to a different team.

Flores said his players are blocking out things that are “going on outside of our building” as they prepare to host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday

“Some of us have probably heard about it, but as of right now — it’s just a distraction at the end of the day,” rookie tackle Liam Eichenberg said. “The most important thing this week is we’re playing the Falcons and we need a win. I think that’s everybody’s thought right now is to focus on the Falcons.”

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World

Greta Thunberg reiterates support for India farmers’ protest despite “threats”

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New Delhi — Teen climate activist Greta Thunberg said Thursday that “hate” and “threats” wouldn’t stop her speaking out in support of thousands of Indian farmers locked in a standoff with their government. Thunberg fired back online as police in India launched an investigation mentioning her tweets, which have drawn a vitriolic reaction online.

“I still #StandWithFarmers and support their peaceful protest. No amount of hate, threats or violations of human rights will ever change that. #FarmersProtest,” the young Swedish campaigner wrote on Twitter.

Indian police have begun the process of investigating what the government labels “propaganda” by “vested interest groups” trying to “mobilize international support against India.” 

The investigation may encompass a number of social media posts, including some shared by Thunberg, in support of the farmers’ months-long protest. 

The Delhi police cited her tweets in a First Information Report (FIR), the first step in the investigatory process under Indian law, which alleges a “criminal conspiracy” and an attempt to “promote enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language… and acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony,” according to Indian news outlet NDTV. 

Earlier on Thursday, Thunberg shared a “toolkit” in a Twitter post that advises people on how to show support for the protesters.

Delhi police said Thursday that their investigation into an “overseas conspiracy” was not against Thunberg, but the “toolkit” she tweeted out, which they say originated with a Sikh separatist group.

Thunberg first voiced solidarity with the farmers after popstar Rihanna drew global attention to their protest against three controversial new farm laws. The demonstrations have simmered since November, with occasional violent clashes in Delhi.

Protesting farmers are seen amid tear gas smoke fired by police in an attempt to stop them from marching to the capital during India’s Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, India, January 26, 2021. 

Altaf Qadri/AP


The Indian government took on the celebrities Wednesday after their tweets attracted global attention, dismissing the social media messages as “sensationalist” and “neither accurate nor responsible.”

“The temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others, is neither accurate nor responsible,” India’s external affairs ministry said in a statement. 

Several other public figures, including activists, and American politicians, also tweeted in support of the farmers. 

“It’s no coincidence that the world’s oldest democracy was attacked not even a month ago, and as we speak, the most populous democracy is under assault. This is related. We ALL should be outraged by India’s internet shutdowns and paramilitary violence against farmer protesters,” wrote U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ niece Meena Harris.

“The unfolding events in India are troubling. As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I am closely monitoring the situation. The right to peaceful protest must always be respected,” wrote U.S. Representative Jim Costa, a Democrat from California who serves on both the Foreign Affairs and Agriculture Committees. 

Hundreds of thousands of farmers in India have been locked in a defiant standoff with the government since late last year over three agriculture reform laws approved in September. 

The government insists the reforms will give expanded market access and greater flexibility to farmers. But farmers say the measures will help big business and destroy the livelihoods of small-time farmers. They’re demanding a complete repeal of all three laws. 

Eleven rounds of talks between the leaders of the farm protests and Modi’s government have failed to resolve the standoff. 

India’s agriculture sector contributes almost 15% to India’s $2.9 trillion economy, and employs nearly half of the country’s 1.3 billion people. 

The Indian government on Wednesday reiterated its justification for the reforms and claimed it was only a “very small section of farmers in parts of India” who “have some reservations about these reforms.” 

The government insisted the laws were approved after a “full debate and discussion” in parliament. 

Standoff around the capital

Indian police have stepped up their efforts to prevent the protesting farmers from entering the capital again, ahead of a call for a second nationwide shutdown this weekend in support of the protest.

The farmers have threatened to block roads across the country on Saturday in protest against what they call harassment by government authorities, including the severing of water, power and internet services to the protest camps.

Security officers, in the foreground, push back people shouting slogans during a demonstration held in support to farmers who have been on a months-long protest, in New Delhi, India, February 3, 2021. 

Manish Swarup/AP


Internet services were shut down earlier this week at three key highway entry points into Delhi where the farmers have been camped out for more than two months. 

Several Indian news outlets reported that the police had put up iron spikes, barbed wire and concrete walls at various entry points to the capital. 

Human Rights Watch has called on the Indian government to drop legal cases against eight journalists who were arrested after their reporting on the January 26 protests and clashes. 

Security personnel stand guard at an entry point into New Delhi, ahead of a march in support of farmers protesting against the central government’s recent agricultural reforms in New Delhi, February 3, 2021. 

MONEY SHARMA/AFP/Getty


“The Indian authorities’ response to protests has focused on discrediting peaceful protesters, harassing critics of the government, and prosecuting those reporting on the events,” said HRW South Asia director Meenakshi Ganguly.

Warning to Twitter 

The Indian government warned Twitter on Wednesday that it could take some unspecified action against the social media platform for its move to “unilaterally” un-block more than 250 accounts that it suspended on Monday, at the government’s request, over the use of a controversial hashtag related to the farmer protests. 

The government had labelled the tweets using the hashtag, which accuses officials of planning a “genocide” of farmers, part of a, “motivated campaign to abuse, inflame and create tension in society on unsubstantiated grounds.” 

“Incitement to genocide is not freedom of speech; It is a threat to law and order,” the government has insisted in its warnings to the social media company to comply. 



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