It is the 2nd+ final day of the climate summit w/President Joe Biden. On the agenda: economic opportunities within climate action. Also speaking today: Bill Gates, DOE Secy Granholm, Commerce Secy Raimondo, climate envoy John Kerry, climate change advisor Gina McCarthy et al
Biden will begin his remarks shortly. We had a bit of a delay as other speakers rounded out their comments. The big takeaways in short? The climate goals are huge. It will require a cultural shift in how the U.S. and world think about the renewable market (over $2.3T available)
Stop looking at climate as a zero-sum game, Biden admin envoys say. There is profit - and sustainable profit -to be made in converting the way the world generates energy.
(Money is the universal language, so less treehugging leading the mood, more rebuilding for a new economy)
Story coming up on today's White House climate summit soon. Stay tuned. @CourthouseNews
#BREAKING: The Senate has passed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, legislation that will set up a point person inside of DOJ to expedite review of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans and more.
60 votes needed and now exceeded. Final tally to come.
Story later for @CourthouseNews.
We have a no vote on the board but it makes little difference here since the legislation will still pass.
On the House floor now, lawmakers debate HR 51, legislation that would make the District of Columbia a state. (It would become the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, in honor of Frederick Douglass) It will likely pass in House but not in Senate. @CourthouseNews
Making the case: sponsor of DC Statehood bill Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton on floor says this nation was founded on "no taxation without representation" and consent of the governed, but DC residents are taxed and can't consent to laws they are expected to live under.
DC's population of 712k is larger than 2 states.
DC pays more federal taxes per capita than any state
DC pays more federal taxes than 21 states in the union
DC's GDP is larger than 17 states. In '16, 86% of DC residents voted for statehood.
President Joe Biden kicks off today's climate summit by committing the US to cut emissions by 50-52% by the end of 2030.
Remarks start at 8AM ET. @CourthouseNews
We are starting remarks from astronauts Neil Armstrong, and Peggy Whitson and others reflecting on how little protects us from the vacuum of space - our atmosphere.
It is clear the administration is looking to make a big splashy turn away from the climate-denying Trump years
At today's speech, President Biden will call on U.S. businesses and nonprofits to provide employees with paid leave to get vaccinated. It will be paid for via a tax credit in Biden's rescue plan. IRS & Treasury on board to help. More in my story later for @CourthouseNews.
The White House is also calling on employers to incentivize their workers to get vaccinated by rolling out their own unique programs/rewards/bonuses. The WH is also looking for insight on how biz owners are doing it: forms.office.com/Pages/Response…
Still waiting for remarks to begin but in the meantime, here's a link for those who want to watch: c-span.org/video/?511116-…
Coming on the heels of the Chauvin verdict and as the nat'l discussion of funding for police continues w/vigor, today at 2PM ET, the acting US Cap police chief, Sen. Sergeant at Arms & Architect of the Cap testify on their 2022 budget request. Coverage coming for @CourthouseNews.
DOT Secy Buttigieg remarks at today's hearing on Biden's infrastructure plan that he's heard it said the bill should be about roads & bridges but not about climate change. "I'd compare that to drawing up plans for a new restaurant with no plans for health, safety, or cleanliness"
HUD Secy Fudge today's says the definition of infrastructure has evolved. Housing is infrastructure. The $213B investment for producing/preserving/retrofitting 2M+ affordable/sustainable places to live is 1 part of the way U.S. will "advance how we live for generations to come"
I'll have a story on today's hearing later for @CourthouseNews