Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday said the threats posed by climate change are starting to resonate more with both the business community and congressional Republicans. Speaking at The Hill's "Climate Under Threat” event, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse Sheldon Whitehouse Democrats say increased recognition of climate change puts more pressure on GOP OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Obama marine monument designation | Interior reverses course on tribal ownership of portion of Missouri river | White House climate adviser meets with oil and gas companies Future of the GOP? The art, promise — and lesson — of politics MORE (D-R.I.) said public opinion polls are showing gradual support on the other side of the aisle for taking action on climate change. Republicans who have traditionally been less in favor of major climate legislation, Whitehouse said, are starting to accept that climate change denial is not a position they can maintain long term. ADVERTISEMENT “I think you see Republicans increasingly understanding that their climate denial posture was completely untenable, is completely untenable, and they're trying to figure out how to work their way through it,” Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, told The Hill's Steve Clemons. . @SenWhitehouse on transitioning away from the fossil fuel industry: “if this is an industry that is headed for a cliff, then governments that are highly dependent on the industry need to be responsible about how you manage that transition” #TheHillClimate https://t.co/jK93CZ0Igo pic.twitter.com/9nr3U6Acuw — The Hill Events (@TheHillEvents) March 23, 2021 The remarks from Whitehouse come a month after the United States officially rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement as part of President Biden Joe Biden Biden's prediction on Afghanistan withdrawal spurs doubts Trump the X-factor in Virginia governor race Trump says ...
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Democrats look to impose capital gains tax at death
Several Senate Democrats are pushing to boost federal revenue by taxing certain capital gains that are passed down after death. Traditionally, unrealized capital gains have not been taxed, allowing wealthy individuals to transfer stocks, bonds and real estate investments to their children and grandchildren without the recipients being taxed. Under current law, heirs don’t have to pay tax on the capital gains that were accrued by an asset or investment before they received it. They only have to pay capital gains taxes on an inherited asset after they sell it, and they only have to do so for the amount the asset or investment appreciated after it came into their possession. ADVERTISEMENT Democrats, led by Sens. Chris Van Hollen Christopher (Chris) Van Hollen Democrats disappoint by not going after more Trump regs with CRA Senators to unveil bill banning permanent Capitol fence SEC adopts measure aimed at cracking down on Chinese firms from US exchanges MORE (D-Md.), say it’s time for that to change. Van Hollen has joined with Sens. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth Warren The Hill's Morning Report - Biden to talk infrastructure amid border, voting controversies Schumer kicks into reelection mode Amazon tangles with Warren on Twitter MORE (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders Bernie Sanders Democrats gear up for major push to lower drug prices On The Money: Sanders creates new headache for Biden on taxes | IRS: Costs of PPE can be deducted from taxes | Democrats ask watchdog to tackle racial bias in home appraisals Sanders, Warren and AOC can lift Dems in 2022 midterms MORE (I-Vt.), Cory Booker Cory Booker Democrats justified in filibustering GOP, says Schumer Obama ties Biden priorities to ObamaCare anniversary: 'We've still got more work to do' Democrats, Republicans recommend more input, detail on Biden conservation goals MORE (D-N.J.) and Sheldon Whitehouse Sheldon ...
Democrats wrestle over tax hikes for infrastructure
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck Schumer Schumer kicks into reelection mode The disgrace that was the Biden press conference Democrats move to crush red states' rise and threat MORE (D-N.Y.) is in discussions with the White House over whether to combine a massive infrastructure proposal with tax reform to appease moderates in his caucus who are worried about the federal deficit. The move comes after an initial White House plan to offset a $3 trillion infrastructure bill with $1 trillion in tax increases is starting to look more like $4 trillion in new spending and $3.5 trillion in taxes. Schumer says the White House is still working out its strategy on whether to seek a standalone infrastructure bill or pair it with a broad tax reform package to offset the cost. ADVERTISEMENT “We’re discussing all of this with the White House, our discussions have just been preliminary,” he said Thursday. On Monday, Schumer’s office said it is trying to give Biden as much flexibility as possible. A significant number of Senate Democrats want to pay for at least part of the infrastructure package, but tying it to tax reform will slow the entire process and make Democrats up for reelection in 2022 vulnerable to charges that they are raising taxes during a pandemic. “I think there have to be substantial pay-fors,” said Sen. Angus King Angus King Democrats wrestle over tax hikes for infrastructure The Hill's Morning Report - Biden to talk infrastructure amid border, voting controversies Meet the senators at the center of the filibuster fight MORE (Maine), an Independent who caucuses with Democrats. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen Cynthia (Jeanne) Jeanne Shaheen Democrats wrestle over tax hikes for infrastructure Meet the senators at the center of the filibuster fight OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Biden can't picture troops in Afghanistan next year | Top general says US needed in Taliban fight | Trump ...
Lawmakers say fixing border crisis is Biden’s job
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill say Congress has little role to play in fixing the border crisis, arguing the responsibility falls largely on President Biden Joe Biden Lawmakers say fixing border crisis is Biden's job Trump calls for Republicans to boycott companies amid voting law controversy White House: GOP has 'struggled to articulate a reason' to oppose infrastructure plan MORE and federal agencies. While most members say they’ll provide more resources if the president asks, they also point out that there’s not much they can do on the legislative front. Sen. Jon Tester Jonathan (Jon) Tester Lawmakers say fixing border crisis is Biden's job Five things to watch on Biden infrastructure plan Meet the senators at the center of the filibuster fight MORE (Mont.), a moderate Democrat, says he doesn’t know what Congress can do immediately to address the surge of migrants at the border, many of them unaccompanied children. ADVERTISEMENT “I don’t know you need legislation. I think what we need is to make sure we get the people and the technology down there to stop it,” he said. “We also need to work with the other countries to make sure that they’re not sending folks up,” he said. “That’s how I would approach it.” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse Sheldon Whitehouse Lawmakers say fixing border crisis is Biden's job Democrats wrestle over tax hikes for infrastructure Democrats look to impose capital gains tax at death MORE (D-R.I.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said “most of what’s going on there is within the purview of the executive branch.” “If they feel they need additional resources, obviously we’re here to help,” he said. Sen. Joe Manchin Joe Manchin Lawmakers say fixing border crisis is Biden's job 2024 GOP White House hopefuls lead opposition to Biden Cabinet Haaland on public lands drilling: Taxpayers deserve 'a return on their investment' MORE ...
Democrats seek Barrett’s recusal from case tied to conservative backers
Several Democratic lawmakers are pushing for Justice Amy Coney Barrett Amy Coney Barrett Amy Coney Barrett receives million advance for book deal: report The Supreme Court creates a new religious aristocracy ABC lands first one-on-one TV interview with Garland since confirmation MORE to recuse herself from an upcoming case linked to a conservative group that funded an ad blitz supporting her confirmation to the Supreme Court. In a three-page letter , the lawmakers argued that Barrett was at risk of bias in favor of a litigant funded by Charles Koch, the conservative billionaire behind a group that bankrolled a high-priced ad campaign for the Trump appointee’s Senate confirmation last fall. “Statute, constitutional case law, and common sense all would seem to require your recusal,” Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse Sheldon Whitehouse For a win on climate, let's put our best player in the game Lawmakers say fixing border crisis is Biden's job Democrats wrestle over tax hikes for infrastructure MORE (D-R.I.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Rep. Hank Johnson Henry (Hank) C. Johnson Democrats debate timing and wisdom of reparations vote Democratic Rep. Mondaire Jones calls on Breyer to retire House Republican proposes constitutional amendment to prevent Supreme Court expansion MORE (D-Ga.) wrote in an April 16 letter first reported by USA Today. ADVERTISEMENT “At a minimum, there should be a public explanation as to why you think recusal is not required under federal law.” The Supreme Court did not respond to a request for comment from The Hill. The Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity Foundation is among the parties that will appear before the justices next week in a First Amendment challenge to a California law that requires nonprofits to disclose their major donors to state officials. The case comes just months after its sister organization, Americans for Prosperity, told The Hill ...
