Biden news: Trump ally subpoenaed, as president pledges ‘once-in-a-generation’ infrastructure plan
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Your support makes all the difference.Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says Joe Biden's $2.25 trn infrastructure announcement was "not nearly enough" and is well below the $10 trillion needed to create jobs for union workers, while also solving health care, housing and carbon emissions.
The New York congresswoman appeared had "serious concerns" the president's "once-in-a-generation" plan was underspending on the future of America by $7.75 trillion.
The White House, meanwhile, is "alarmed" 3- and 5-year-old girls were thrown over a 14-foot Mexico border fence in video of "morally reprehensible" smugglers.
Elsewhere, the Trump Organisation’s long-serving chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, has had his personal banking records subpoenaed by New York prosecutors working with Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance Jr as part of the latter’s investigation into former president Donald Trump’s business affairs.
In the continuing saga of Matt Gaetz, the Florida Republican appears to be struggling for support within his own party, with one former staffer from Trump White House reportedly describing him as “the meanest person in politics”.
Read more:
- Matt Gaetz reportedly investigated over claims he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old
- The congressman who became Trump's most outspoken ally
- Carlson says Gaetz interview was 'one of the weirdest' he has done
- Everything we know about the Gaetz investigation
- What are the laws of sexual consent in Florida?
Mitt Romney turns on Democrats over $2.25trn spending bill
Moderate Mitt Romney, the Joe Manchin of the GOP, has found an issue he can’t get on board with the Democrats over.
The Utah Senator has come out against Joe Biden’s $2trn infrastructure plan, calling the president’s intent to “go it alone” in the legislature not in the spirit of bipartisanship he campaigned on.
“A Senate evenly split between both parties and a bare Democratic House majority are hardly a mandate to “go it alone.” The President should live up to the bipartisanship he preached in his inaugural address,” he said in a tweet.
It mirrored the sentiment of party leader Mitch McConnell, who declared they would oppose the plan and give no support from his side of the chamber.
Michelle Obama to appear on NBC’s ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves’ vaccination special
Michelle Obama is set to appear on NBC's televised “Roll Up Your Sleeves” vaccination special.
The special, also featuring Hamilton personality Lin-Manuel Miranda, airs on 18 April at 7PM on NBC in the US.
The broadcast is meant to educate audiences about the importance of getting vaccinated against Covid-19.
Actor Matthew McConaughey will also be interviewing Dr Anthony Fauci.
Rachel Brodsky reports.
Michelle Obama to appear on NBC’s ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves’ vaccination special
Lin-Manuel Miranda will also appear on the special
Georgia faces corporate backlash, but some want companies to do more
A growing number of major corporations are speaking out against a new Georgia law that imposes sweeping new restrictions on voting, setting up a political battle between big business and the Republican Party that may have electoral consequences across the country, writes The Independent’s Richard Hall.
“But while voting rights advocates have welcomed the outpouring of condemnation from the corporate world, some have wondered aloud why it was not forthcoming until after the bill was passed. Activists had pushed for weeks for them to speak out, only for them to reserve their strongest condemnation until after the bill was signed into law.”
Georgia faces corporate backlash for restrictive voting law, but some want companies to do more
More than a dozen companies – including Coca-Cola, Delta and UPS – have spoken out about the new legislation, but critics say they should have done so earlier, writes Richard Hall
Biden administration launches $500,000 public contest to improve face masks
A public contest to improve the design of face masks has been launched by the Biden administration.
The appeal on Wednesday offers $500,000 (£361,000) in cash incentives for anyone willing to reinvent face masks, which have been worn by millions since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In an announcement, acting assistant secretary for preparedness and response, Nikki Bratcher-Bowman, said the contest is seeking improvements to make masks both more effective and comfortable.
She recognised that face coverings were uncomfortable for some, and that such issues prevented wider compliance with state-wide mandates.
Biden administration launches $500,000 public contest to improve face masks
Up to five winners will be chosen to share cash prize for solving common complaints over face coverings
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