Frustration alone won’t change the two-party system
With considerable fanfare, former Democratic presidential hopeful Andrew Yang joined with moderate Republicans, including former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman, to announce a new centrist political party, Forward. The goal is laudable — to avoid the increasingly dire choices of two parties, each catering to the demands of their strident base. But absent serious structural change, Forward’s mission can’t succeed. Commentators note the risk of Forward
Read MoreDemocrats plan to challenge parliamentarian on insulin cap
Senate Democrats say they plan to challenge a ruling by the parliamentarian striking a proposal sponsored by Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) to cap insulin prices from the Inflation Reduction Act, according to a Democrat familiar with the plan. As of now, Warnock’s proposal to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 a month is in the bill but the parliamentarian is expected to rule on the Senate floor that it does not comply with the Byrd Rule, which prohibits policymaking in budget reconciliation bills that have a tangential impact on spending and revenue. But
Read MoreTop Ukraine Amnesty International official resigns after report finds military operated in residential areas
The top official at Amnesty International’s office in Ukraine announced on Friday she would step down after the organization issued a report alleging that some of Kyiv’s military based itself in populated residential areas. “It hurts me to admit it, but the leadership of Amnesty International and I broke up in a valuable way. So I decided to leave the organization,” Oksana Pokalchuk wrote on Facebook. The Amnesty International
Read MoreSenate parliamentarian gives OK for climate, tax, health bill to proceed
The Senate parliamentarian has given the green light to a $740 billion budget reconciliation bill that will reform the tax code, tackle climate change and lower drug prices, putting the Senate on track to begin voting on the bill Saturday afternoon. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced Saturday that the bill is on track to pass this weekend, now that the parliamentarian, Elizabeth McDonough, has ruled that its provisions comply with the budgetary rules enabling it to circumvent a GOP filibuster. “Our meetings with the parliamentarian ha
Read MoreBiden tests negative after COVID-19 rebound case
President Biden tested negative for COVID-19 on Saturday, one week after he first tested positive with a "rebound" case of the virus. Kevin O'Connor, the White House physician, said in a letter that Biden "continues to feel very well," but he will not leave isolation until he has a second negative test. "In an abundance of caution, the President will continue his strict isolation measures pending a second negative test as previously described," O'Connor wrote. Biden first tested positive for COVID-19 on July 21 and had some symptoms, including a cough, body ach
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