Need to know: 5 important international and national news from June 8, 2021.
1. Biden ends infrastructure talks with Senator Captio
President Biden rejected Republican’s counteroffer in a meeting with Senator Capito, Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed.
On Tuesday, Biden told Senator Capito, the offer from Republicans did not “meet the essential needs of our country to restore our roads and bridges, prepare us for our clean energy future, and create jobs.”
Biden was reportedly ‘disappointed’ with the Republican counteroffer considering his administration reduced the plan by over $1 trillion, and Senate Republicans increased their plan by over $150 billion.
In meetings today with Senators Sinema, Cassidy, and Manchin, he urged them to continue working with Democrats and Republicans to create a bipartisan proposal. Psaki stated Biden “ Would be in contact with members of the group by phone while in Europe, and he designated his Jobs Cabinet and White House aides Steve Ricchetti, Louisa Terrell, and Brian Deese to meet with them in person to advance this effort.”
Biden has made very clear that he will not raise taxes on Americans who make under $400,000 a year. “He will not accept inaction as the outcome,” stated Psaki. Biden spoke with Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Schumer to ensure the American Jobs Plan moves forward.
“The President is committed to moving his economic legislation through Congress this summer and is pursuing multiple paths to get this done,” said Psaki.
2. President Macron slapped in the face
On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron was slapped in the face while speaking to the public on his trip in France.
A man in a green shirt is seen in a new video slapping the President as he greets the crowd. The attacker was heard shouting “Down the Marcronia” before the hit.
Security officers quickly pulled the President away. So far, two men have been arrested following the attack on the French President.
#Macron se fait gifler en direct de #Tain pic.twitter.com/tsXdByo22U
— ? (@AlexpLille) June 8, 2021
3. Kamala Harris comes under scrutiny and meets with the President of Mexico
On Monday, Vice President Harris took her first international trip to Guatemala. Harris’s current focus is on the root causes of migration in Central America. Yesterday, Harris strongly discouraged immigrants from crossing the Mexican border into the United States on Monday. “Do not come, do not come,” stated Harris.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez criticized her comments on Twitter, saying, “This is disappointing to see. First, seeking asylum at any US border is a 100% legal method of arrival. Second, the US spent decades contributing to regime change and destabilization in Latin America. We can’t help set someone’s house on fire and then blame them for fleeing.”
The Vice President has also faced criticism for not making a formal trip to the Southern Border. In a newly released interview by NBC’s Lester Holt, Harris stated, “At some point, you know, we are going to the border,” she said. “We’ve been to the border. So this whole thing about the border. We’ve been to the border. We’ve been to the border.”
In the interview, Holt pointed out she hadn’t been to the border. Harris responded, “And I haven’t been to Europe,” the vice president responded. “And I mean, I don’t understand the point that you’re making. I’m not discounting the importance of the border.”
The VP met with Mexico President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador today in Mexico City. “We had a very productive morning with President Lopez Obrador. He and I spent a significant amount of time together with one on one and very directed candid conversations as well as a very productive bilateral meeting.”
The two discussed topics on vaccines, migration, and the relationship that Mexico and the United States have in terms of mutual interest in economic strength and security.
Harris stated, “The work that we are doing by being in Guatemala yesterday and in Mexico today is the work of reinforcing the point that we have to look at not only what is actually happening at the border, but what is causing that to happen.”
4. Joe Manchin and Civil Rights Leaders
Tuesday, Senator Manchin met with Civil Rights leaders to discuss voting rights and the filibuster. This meeting comes after Manchin’s very public and adamant opposition to the For the People Act and comments on not ending the filibuster.
The Senator met with the NAACP President Derrick Johnson, National Urban League President Marc Morial, the Lawyers’ Committee President Damon Hewitt, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights interim President Wade Henderson, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation President Melanie Campbell, National Council of Negro Women President Johnnetta Cole, and Rev. Al Sharpton.
Manchin stated, “We had a constructive conversation” following the meeting. “I’m very much concerned about our democracy and protecting people’s voting rights.”
Civil Rights leaders talked to Manchin about the need for Congress to go forward with the For the People Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
Despite their outcries, it appears Manchin’s position on the bill was not changed. “I don’t think anybody changed positions on voting rights legislation.”
5. Covid, Vaccines, and Variants
President made clear that he wanted at least 70% of the U.S. population vaccinated by July 4. However, only about 53% of the population is vaccinated. Today, Fauci gave the nation even more reason to get vaccinated.
Dr. Fauci made concern over the new Indian variant ‘Delta.’ In the UK, this new variant has become very dominant in rising Covid cases. “We cannot let that happen in the United States,” stated Fauci.
Fauci also stressed that this new variant affects younger age groups. He strongly encouraged all Americans to get vaccinated to protect themselves from these new variants arising.