From the White House: Every American can now receive the Covid-19 vaccine, a milestone for public health as the pandemic has already killed over 565,000 in the U.S. @CourthouseNews
Note: The announcement on vaccine eligibility from the Biden administration comes as it prepares to usher in its first 100 days in Washington.
The first 100 days of the Biden administration comes next week. But this week, Earth Day is coming up.
The White House hosts a 2-day digital climate summit 4/22-4/23 with 40 world leaders invited to participate. He's expected to unveil the new reduced emissions target for the US
TODAY: The Senate Intel Committee meets at 10 AM ET to weigh the state of worldwide threats and how the Biden administration is/will handle. Witnesses include top officials from ODNI, CIA, FBI, NSA etc. First of two hearings in Congress on this subject this week. @CourthouseNews
Sen. Mark Warner kicks off today's hearing on worldwide threats and establishes that he wants to hear from senior IC officials on pandemic; China; closes remarks saying he supports drawdown in Afghanistan but there must be focus on supporting those who supported us in region
To note, Warner is chair of the Senate Intel Committee.
He also remarked today on his relief to have a willing director at ODNI; noting his requests last year for Trump's director to appear went ignored. But today, Avril Haines, dir of ODNI, is here and ready to testify.
Officer William “Billy” Evans, killed on 4/2 attack, lies in honor at the Capitol Rotunda today. Photo of the program below. Expecting: Pres. Biden, congressional leadership, Evans' mother, children, their mother, Cap Police leadership, AG Garland, JCOS Milley, DC Mayor Bowser.
Schumer says the rising tide of violence against Asian Americans is unacceptable. Also: There's a bipartisan amendment added to this bill from Blumenthal and Moran that would add resources for state/local law enforcement to improve hate crime reporting/training/rehab.
Schumer acknowledges they need 60 senators to join them to pass the bill. "Who would oppose this simple but necessary legislation?" he asks, then: "The Senate will debate and take action to combat hate crimes against Asian Americans."
TODAY: The House Rules Cmte holds a hearing to mark up HR 7 or the Paycheck Fairness Act. The legislation would amend existing labor rules to better close the ever-present wage gap between the sexes. documentcloud.org/documents/2061… @CourthouseNews
This legislation has been around for a while. It passed the House in '19 with a 242-187 vote but went no further, dying in the Senate then controlled by Mitch McConnell.
For more context on lack of speed here: his bill is effectively an update to the Equal Pay Act of *1963*.
The pandemic brings pay disparity issues into greater relief. Emily Martin, VP @ the Nat'l Women's Law Ctr recently said the pandemic-spurred unemployment among women prompted a generation of progress to be lost. cnbc.com/2021/03/24/equ…
I had a chance to go back & read through the comments on this entirely. Im so fortunate to have so many folks reach out with a word or thought. Thank you all so, so much. Each day is a minefield right now but I often find comfort in the kindness people share with me in my grief.
I am still processing what went on for the last 2 years. I really did not realize how hard we went, how much we struggled, how brutalizing the fight was. We were so in the thick of it, motivated to beat it and clinging to love. I realize only now how dogged the battle was.
I will probably never not be angry about her getting cancer. But eventually the anger will cool and it will give way to other things.
For now, I miss her more than I thought humanly possible. But I am truly relieved she isn't suffering anymore. She did not deserve that.
I know this cancer is going to take her in the end, and I have never seen a person fight as hard. But when she goes, it won't be because the cancer "won." It never altered the core of who she is. Not one day. It is a thief, a charlatan. But a victor complete? No.
I see a lot of people on here tweet about their own cancer journey or that of a family or friend's. It is a uniquely horrifying experience but I somehow find comfort knowing this club is full of people who share the pain, the frustration, the fear, and the anger.
I think I will never not be angry about her getting sick. Its hard to communicate to people outside of this experience or unfamiliar with it, how very deep that pain flows.
So many of you with a kind message, a thoughtful word, a donation, all that -- you softened the blows.