#GoodMorningDC. It’s Friday, March 5, 2021, and we have the news for you!
Good Morning DC!
Democratic whip, Duck Durbin, whose job is to ensure his party’s discipline in legislature, suggested yesterday afternoon to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. that he has yet to secure the 50 Democratic votes he needs to secure the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. Since only one moderate Republican senator, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, indicated that she may vote for the package, it will need 50 loyal Democrats and a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Harris in order to be passed.
On Thursday, a White House spokesperson said that President Biden has ordered senior members of his team to visit the southern border to observe first hand the recent influx of migrants – particularly migrant children. In response to recent criticism on how his administration is handling unaccompanied children, President Biden is looking for a briefing on safety conditions at the border “rapid-processing hubs,” Fox News reported.
“Mississippians don’t need handlers,” the governor of Mississippi seems to have taken offense at some of the President’s language for saying that Texas and Mississippi have “Neanderthal thinking.”
Question: How does comparing someone to a “Neanderthal” help convince them to change course and get on board with your public health message?
Trump’s still in the news. YouTube delighted all videos of Trump’s speech at CPAC, but the social media ban does not seem to stop the former president from actively working to influence who of the Republicans is going to be endorsed and who’s going to be primaried in 2021.
The latest development? Trump is endorsing John Kennedy of Louisiana. Former President said that Kennedy “is a tireless advocate for the people of his State, and stands strongly with the forgotten men and women of our Country. Strong on Energy Independence, the Military, our great Vets and the Border, John has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”
At the same time, Trump wants to stop Adam Kinzinger and is already looking at supporting Catalina Lauf who’s challenging Kinzinger for his seat in Congress
Fake Republican Adam Kinzinger won’t put AMERICA FIRST— I will, she tweeted on February 23, 2021, and Trump liked that.
Across the pond, Meghan Markle, known as the Duchess of Sussex, is making waves ahead of her tell-all interview with Oprah. She said she can not be expected to remain silent if The Firm played an “active role” in “perpetuating falsehoods” about her and Prince Harry. Get your popcorn ready, but make sure to fasten your seatbelts.
Ahead of the interview, royal aides released a bullying claim against the Duchess, The Times reported. Representatives of the Duchess denied the bullying allegations claiming that the reports were nothing more than a “smear campaign” done in retaliation for the Oprah-interview.
One thing is for sure, Twitter will be full of juicy, dramatic fights between the pro-Meghan’s and pro-Crown’s. Like we said, grab your popcorn.
At the state department, the U.S. announced new trade sanctions on the military regime in Myanmar (Burma), a day after security forces killed 24 people on March 3, 2021. Ned Price also called on China to join the U.S. in condemning the violence and intervene.
“This latest escalation in violence demonstrates the fact of the junta’s complete disregard for their own people, for the people of Burma. It is unacceptable, and the world will continue to respond,” Price said.
Question: What is the U.S. doing to help free AP journalist Thein Zaw and others detained in Myanmar?
“Detainment of journalists, the targeting of journalists and dissidents is certainly something that is of great concern to the President, to the Secretary of State, and to every member of our administration,” said Psaki. She said that the Biden administration is familiar with everything that is going on, but as to the specifics, the Press Secretary did not reveal anything.
What will Biden do today?
Biden’s Friday will start with the daily briefing at 9:50 AM EST.
At 12:15 EST, the President will have lunch with Harris in the Private Dining Room.
The President will be briefed on the economy along with the Secretary of the Treasury at 2:15 PM EST.
The roundtable on the American Rescue Plan will take place at 3:15 PM EST.
Then, at 5:30 PM Biden and Harris will be briefed on the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of vaccinations.
At 11:00 AM EST White House COVID-19 response team will hold a press briefing.
Press Secretary Jen Psaki will brief the press at 12:30 PM EST.
The FBI and DHS say that the threat from domestic violent extremism, particularly racially motivated and anti-government extremists, did not begin or end on January 6th. Barbed-wire fences remain in place in the otherwise cosmopolitan capital. The US Capitol Police Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman asked the Department of Defense to extend the support provided by the National Guard beyond March 12, 2021. Pittman testified that threats to members are up to 93% during the first two months of 2021, compared to last year.
“The President personally remains deeply engaged in tracking these threats,” Psaki announced.
Heads-up: On Monday, March 8, at 10:00 AM EST, First Lady Jill Biden will deliver remarks at the U.S. State Department’s annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award ceremony hosted by Secretary Blinken.
And that’s a wrap for this Friday morning, March 5, 2021. A full year into the pandemic, it’s easy to forget to take care of ourselves. Today, the sequel to the 1988 comedy classic Coming 2 America is getting released online. Turn your notifications off, grab some comfort food and unwind for a relaxing Friday night. Good Morning DC will be back on Monday to give you the latest first.