Biden faces pressure to help Black borrowers with heavy student debt
President Biden is reported to be closing in on a plan to cancel $10,000 in federal student debt per borrower, but some advocates are concerned about the impact it will have on Black borrowers, who data shows are likely to owe more to cover the costs of education. Many Democrats at the helm of student loan forgiveness efforts have promoted broad-based cancellation as a way to advance racial equity, often citing data showing the disproportionate burden faced by Black borrowers,
Read MorePuerto Rico governor hopeful that status bill will move quickly through Congress
Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi (D) is hopeful that a House delegation due this weekend on the island will return to Washington, D.C., ready to quickly move a bill to update the U.S. territory's status. The delegation, led by House Natural Resources Committee Chair Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), will be in Puerto Rico to get feedback on a proposed bill introduced last month that would allow Puerto Ricans to vote between becoming a state, an independent nation or an independent nation with a treaty of free association with the United States. Pierluisi, who fav
Read MoreHaunted Democrats fear gun control measures could cost them in midterms
Democrats are haunted by political fears on the issue of gun control, making the party reluctant to completely stick its neck out on moves such as banning assault weapons. More than 20 years after restrictions on guns were blamed in part on Al Gore's loss in the presidential race, many Democrats still worry that being too aggressive on gun control culd hurt the party’s candidates in purple states and House districts. “If you’re someone like Raphael Warnock, it’s a complicated message. It's a nuanced message at best,” one Democratic strategist said
Read MoreGun groups ready for aggressive effort against ‘red flag’ legislation
No-compromise gun rights groups are preparing to mount an aggressive campaign against any “red flag” legislation in Congress as a response to the elementary school massacre in Uvalde, Texas. Such measures appear to be gaining some steam as a potential compromise between Democrats and Republicans, but opponents hope to use the same playbook to stop them that proved impactful in the past. “We're already planning our full attack plan on it,” said Dudley Brown, president of the National Association for Gun Rights. Nine states currently have “red flag” laws, p
Read MoreSoccer legend Pelé tells Putin to stop 'wicked' war ahead of Ukraine World Cup qualifier
Soccer legend Pelé urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop his "wicked" war in Ukraine on Wednesday, just hours before a Ukrainian national soccer team beat out Scotland in the first of two qualifier rounds for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In the letter to Putin shared on Instagram, Pelé said he wanted to use the publicity around the soccer game on Wednesday to "make a request" to the Russian leader. "Today Ukraine tries to forget,
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