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May 31, 2021
Presented by Wells Fargo
At Wells Fargo, we cover more rural markets than many large banks, and nearly 30% of our branches are in low- or moderate-income census tracts. What we say, we do. See how.
 PRESENTED BY BY JOHN BRESNAHAN, ANNA PALMER AND JAKE SHERMAN  THE TOPGood morning, and Happy Memorial Day. Thank you to all who have served, and we’re remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our country. AP’s Jonathan Lemire on President Joe Biden’s extremely personal observance. Programming note: We are only publishing morning editions this week. If we have news throughout the day, premium subscribers will get it from us as it happens. We found this quite interesting: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Friday that the Senate would not begin considering a fiscal 2022 budget resolution until July. If that’s the case, they will have to crunch to get that done ahead of the August recess. Remember: to take advantage of budget reconciliation and the 51-vote threshold, both chambers need to pass the same budget. Add this to the stack of legislative issues Schumer has to get done during this very, very busy summer. ICYMI: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told Jake Tapper yesterday on CNN’s “State of the Union” that he wants a “clear direction” on the infrastructure process by June 7. That means this week, with Congress out of session, Republicans and the White House will have to figure out whether there is a path forward for them. BTW: Just keep this in mind: Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and crew ground Schumer’s China bill to a halt over what they described as cost concerns. That bill had been on the floor for weeks. Imagine what happens when a $1 trillion infrastructure bill hits the floor. PRESENTED BY FACEBOOK The internet has changed a lot since 1996 – internet regulations should too. It’s been 25 years since comprehensive internet regulations passed. See why we support updated regulations on key issues, including: – Protecting people’s privacy – Enabling safe and easy data portability between platforms – Preventing election interference – Reforming Section 230 THE PRESIDENT’S WEEK  Tuesday: President Joe Biden will travel to Tulsa to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre. He’ll also tour the Greenwood Cultural Center. Wednesday: Biden will speak about Covid-19 and vaccinations. Friday: Biden will speak about the May jobs numbers, which will be released that morning. Congress is out this week. The Senate will hold pro-forma sessions Tuesday and Thursday. The House also has a pro-forma session Tuesday. WHEN YOU PUT IT THAT WAY …  We are going to hear a lot more of this in June, when the Senate takes up charged legislation like S. 1, the voting rights bill, and difficult initiatives like the infrastructure package. PRESENTED BY FACEBOOK  THE WALK OUT Texas Democrats walk out of the chamber to protest voting bill  Efforts to tighten voting restrictions have been sprouting up across the country. Democrats in Texas had their revenge over the weekend blocking a massive bill by staging a walkout. More from Texas Tribune’s Alex Ura:
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) tweeted last night: “Election Integrity & Bail Reform were emergency items for this legislative session. They STILL must pass. They will be added to the special session agenda. Legislators will be expected to have worked out the details when they arrive at the Capitol for the special session.” MOMENTS The president is traveling this morning to D.C. from Wilmington, Del. 10 a.m.: President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, VP Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. 10:30 a.m.: Biden will speak at Arlington. PRESENTED BY FACEBOOK  CLIP FILE NYT → “Biden Aims to Rebuild and Expand Legal Immigration,” by Mike Shear and Zolan Kanno-Youngs: “ If President Biden gets his way, it will soon be far easier to immigrate to the United States. There will be shorter, simpler forms and applicants will have to jump through fewer security hoops. Foreigners will have better opportunities to join their families and more chances to secure work visas. “A 46-page draft blueprint obtained by The New York Times maps out the Biden administration’s plans to significantly expand the legal immigration system, including methodically reversing the efforts to dismantle it by former President Donald J. Trump, who reduced the flow of foreign workers, families and refugees, erecting procedural barriers tougher to cross than his ‘big, beautiful wall.’” → “Israel Moves Toward Coalition Deal That Could Sideline Netanyahu,” by Patrick Kingsley in Jerusalem: “The longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history, Benjamin Netanyahu, faced the most potent threat yet to his grip on power Sunday after an ultranationalist power-broker, Naftali Bennett, said his party would work with opposition leaders to build an alternative government to force Mr. Netanyahu from office. “If the maneuvering leads to a formal coalition agreement, it would be an uneasy alliance between eight relatively small parties with a diffuse range of ideologies. The prime minister’s post would rotate between two unlikely partners: Mr. Bennett, a former settler leader who rejects the concept of a sovereign Palestinian state and champions the religious right — and Yair Lapid, a former television host who is considered a voice of secular centrists.” → “Death of QAnon Follower at Capitol Leaves a Wake of Pain,” by Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs and Evan Hill WaPo → “Four more indicted in alleged Jan. 6 Oath Keepers conspiracy to obstruct election vote in Congress,” by Spencer S. Hsu WSJ → “Global Stocks Slip as Inflation Remains in Focus,” by Patricia Kowsmann and Xie Yu → “West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice Is Personally Liable for $700 Million in Greensill Loans,” by Julie Steinberg and Duncan Mavin AP → “North accuses US of hostility for S. Korean missile decision,” by Hyung-Jin Kim → “Johnson & Johnson asks high court to void $2B talc verdict,” by Mark Sherman Politico → “Challenge to Roe v. Wade puts spotlight on FDA review of abortion pill rules,” by Alice Miranda Ollstein PRESENTED BY FACEBOOK Why Facebook supports updated internet regulations 2021 is the 25th anniversary of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the last major update to internet regulation. It’s time for an update to set clear rules for addressing today’s toughest challenges. See how we’re taking action on key issues and why we support updated internet regulations.  Enjoying Punchbowl News AM?  Subscribe 10 friends with your unique link (below) and get a Punchbowl News hat! Your referral link is: Or share via You currently have: 0 referrals Editorial photos provided by Getty Images     |
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Presented by Wells Fargo
At Wells Fargo, we cover more rural markets than many large banks, and nearly 30% of our branches are in low- or moderate-income census tracts. What we say, we do. See how.