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☆ Analysis: Biden’s fate is on the line in the most critical days of his 50-year political career
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-08 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

The turmoil surrounding Biden’s future is creating a grim mood inside the White House, CNN’s MJ Lee reported. • If that happens, would senior party leaders be willing to go to the president and argue that his position is unsustainable? There is an almost surreal quality to the frenzied political debate as Biden digs in. There would be no guarantee that a new standard-bearer would do better than Biden, who has already beaten Trump once. Black Democratic voters helped to rescue Biden’s primary campaign in 2020 and to put him in the White House.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Biden, Donald Trump, Hakeem Jeffries, Sen, Mark Warner, “, Connecticut Sen, Chris Murphy, ”, ” Biden, Trump, CNN’s MJ Lee, Biden –, Kamala Harris –, laud, Joe Biden, ” Murphy, Dana Bash, Adam Schiff, Murphy, Schiff, lacerated Trump, Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, “ I’m, It’s, Joyce Beatty, “ shouldn’t, CNN’s Ebony Davis, Eva McKend, he’s, CNN’s Jeff Zeleny, Lyndon Johnson, Gerry Connolly, CNN’s Pamela Brown, Joe Biden didn’t, ” Connolly, Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania Sen, John Fetterman, Bob Casey Organizations: CNN, Democrats, White House, Virginia Democrat, Sunday, Union, Democratic, ABC News, West Wing, Democratic Party Among, Biden, ”, Press, California Democrat, Capitol, ABC, Congressional Black Caucus, Ohio, CBC, NATO, Airy, of God, Black Democratic, Pennsylvania Gov, Pennsylvania, Trump, Republican National Convention, Democratic National Convention Locations: Connecticut, “ State, Pennsylvania, Trump, Atlanta, California, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Harrisburg , Pennsylvania, Washington, Virginia, Harrisburg, “, Michigan, Ukraine, Milwaukee

☆ How Biden Is Leveraging His Defiance to Try to Stem Democratic Defections
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-08 | by ( Shane Goldmacher | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden’s increasingly emphatic declarations that he will not exit the presidential race are delivering an unmistakable message to potential wayward Democrats: Any criticisms going forward damage the party’s chances against Donald J. Trump. For days, Mr. Biden has said he will remain his party’s nominee after his poor debate short of an intervention from “the Lord Almighty.” On Monday, he put that assertion into action. It began with an open letter to congressional Democrats saying he was definitely running. “I am not going anywhere,” Mr. Biden told the donors. The moves amounted to a show of defiance that the Biden operation hoped would earn him some deference, as uneasy Democratic lawmakers trickled back to Capitol Hill after a holiday break.

Persons: Biden’s, Donald J, Biden, ”, “, Mr, trickled Organizations: Trump, Congressional Black Caucus, Democratic, Capitol

☆ So far, no Black lawmakers on Capitol Hill have called on Biden to step aside as the Democratic nominee. Why it matters.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-08 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewOn Sunday, President Joe Biden once again found himself in Philadelphia, a city that has played a crucial role in his political life. AdvertisementOn Sunday, Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio told CNN's Eva McKend that Democratic lawmakers shouldn't turn against Biden. A huge "what if" for Biden is if a high-ranking Black lawmaker calls on him to exit the race. But will it help him with Black voters in the coming weeks and months? That November, Biden won 92% of the Black vote, compared to Trump's 8% support, according to the Pew Research Center.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Biden, It's, Biden hasn't, Donald Trump, Joyce Beatty, CNN's Eva McKend, Hakeem Jeffries, Beatty, Kamala Harris, Harris, JfHOOMv5RS, Julia Hamelburg, Steven Horsford, surrogates, Jim Clyburn, Clyburn, he'd, Trump, it'll Organizations: Service, Airy, of God, Business, Capitol, Democratic, Democrats, Congressional Black Caucus, shouldn't, CBC, Biden, Congressional Black, Essence, Black, South Carolina Democratic, Pew Research Center, Trump Locations: Philadelphia, Washington, Ohio, New Orleans, Nevada, York, South Carolina, Georgia , Michigan, Pennsylvania

The House Democrats who said Biden should drop out of the 2024 race were Reps. Adam Smith of Washington, Jerry Nadler of New York, Mark Takano of California and Joe Morelle of New York. Some House Democrats in battleground districts are weighing whether to distance themselves from Biden. "President Biden is a good man & I appreciate his lifetime of service," she wrote in a post to X. During the interview, Biden dismissed the calls for him to step aside and said only the "Lord Almighty" could get him to reconsider his presidential bid. "Look, I mean, if the Lord Almighty came down and said, 'Joe, get out of the race,' I'll get out of the race," Biden said during the interview.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Adam Smith of, Jerry Nadler, Mark Takano, Joe Morelle, Smith, Nadler, Takano, Morelle, Hakeem Jeffries, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Trump, Susan Wild, Angie Craig, Maxine Waters, Barbara Lee, Frederica Wilson, Wilson, he's, George Stephanopoulos, Almighty, Joe, Almighty's Organizations: WASHINGTON —, Congress, Democrats, NBC News, Armed Services, Veterans ' Affairs Committee, House Administration Committee, House Democratic, Biden, Congressional, Caucus, NBC, California Democratic, Trump, Rep, ABC News, Capitol Locations: Adam Smith of Washington, York, California, New York, Congress, House, D, Pennsylvania

☆ Kamala Harris: Democrats start moving to VP as President Joe Biden digs in
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Edward-Isaac Dovere | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

CNN —Amid the ongoing fallout from Joe Biden’s debate performance, talk in many top Democratic circles has already moved to who Kamala Harris’ running mate would be. A more open race, these top Democrats hope, would be for Harris’ running mate, with a focus on leading Democratic governors. “President Biden is our nominee, Vice President Harris is our running mate, and we will win this November,” he said. The anti-Trump coalition cannot afford to discount the strengths of the nominated Democratic running mate and current vice president. Harris’ answer: She’d turn around and say to him, “Why are you being so weird?”As vice president, Harris has tended to be known more for her word salads than sharp elbows like that.

Persons: CNN —, Joe Biden’s, Kamala Harris ’, Biden, Harris, That’s, it’s, Donald Trump’s, Harris ’, Roy Cooper, Andy Beshear, Josh Shapiro, J.B . Pritzker, Tim Walz, “, they’ve, ’, hasn’t, We’ve, ”, Tim Ryan, he’s, ” Biden, Kevin Munoz, Harris —, I’ve, Kamala ” —, —, it’s Kamala, “ Kamala Harris, Kamala, She’s, Nanette Barragán, ” she’s, ” Barragán, Biden’s, Timmaraju, she’s, Harris Harris, Biden metastasizing, Ezra Levin, Gregory Meeks, Trump Harris, Hillary Clinton, CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Jill Biden, ” Brian Fallon, Cooper, Beshear, ” Cooper, He’s, CNN’s Jeff Zeleny Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Biden, North Carolina Gov, Kentucky Gov, Pennsylvania, J.B, Illinois, NFL, Trump, ”, California Democrat, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Democrats ’, Democratic doubters, Congressional Black Caucus, Democratic Party, New, CBC, Republican Locations: Minnesota, Alabama, Wisconsin, Ohio, California, Milwaukee, Detroit, Philadelphia, Atlanta, New York, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia , Montana, Iowa

Rep. Donald Payne Jr., D-N.J., has died at the age of 65 after several weeks of being hospitalized following a "cardiac episode" in early April. "Deeply saddened by the passing of Congressman Donald Payne Jr., a good friend, highly effective public servant and compassionate leader. Payne succeeded his father, Rep. Donald M. Payne, who also died in office. Payne Jr., was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and served on the House Homeland Security and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees. The special primary election must be held between 70 and 76 days after the governor's proclamation, and the special general election must be held between 64 and 70 days after the primary election.

Persons: Donald Payne Jr, Phil Murphy, Donald, Murphy, didn't, Hakeem Jeffries, Payne, Donald M, Payne Jr, Biden, Mike Gallagher Organizations: New, New Jersey Gov, New Jersey Globe, Congressional, Congressional Black Caucus, House Homeland Security, Transportation, Infrastructure, The New, The New Jersey Department, Daily, Republicans Locations: New Jersey, Newark, D, Essex, Hudson, Union, . New Jersey, The, The New Jersey, Payne's

☆ New Jersey Democratic Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies, Speaker Johnson announces
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Shania Shelton | Haley Talbot | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —US Rep. Donald Payne Jr., a New Jersey Democrat, has died, Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Wednesday. “We are saddened to be informed of the passing today of congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr.,” Johnson said in a post on X. His father, Donald Milford Payne, was the first Black congressman to represent the state and served in the seat from 1989 until his death in 2012. Donald Payne Jr. was involved with a number of health-related caucuses and helped introduce related legislation in Congress, including serving as a co-chair of the Congressional Colorectal Cancer Caucus, Congressional Men’s Health Caucus and the Congressional Peripheral Artery Disease Caucus. “The Congressional Black Caucus has been very clear to President Trump that African-American communities have a lot to lose under his administration,” Payne said in a press release at the time.

Persons: Donald Payne Jr, Mike Johnson, “, Donald M, Payne , Jr, ” Johnson, Phil Murphy, Donald Payne , Jr, ” Payne, Payne, Donald Milford Payne, Donald Trump, Trump, Murphy, Mike Gallagher, Johnson, Ethan Cohen, Kristin Wilson Organizations: CNN, New, New Jersey Democrat, . New Jersey Democratic Gov, New Jersey’s, Cancer Caucus, Congressional, Health Caucus, Disease, Congressional Black Caucus, Caucus, House Transportation, Infrastructure Committee, Democratic, Gov, Wisconsin Republican, House, Republicans Locations: New Jersey, .

☆ Housing Secretary Marcia Fudge is stepping down, the second Biden Cabinet member to leave the administration
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Rebecca Shabad | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House on March 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. WASHINGTON — Marcia Fudge, who has served as the secretary of Housing and Urban Development since March 2021, is leaving the Biden administration, the White House said Monday. The White House said that after she departs, Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman will serve as acting secretary. Fudge is only the second Cabinet secretary to leave the administration during Biden's first term as president. Before working in the Biden administration, Fudge represented an Ohio Congressional District in the House from 2008 to 2021, serving at one point as chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Persons: Marcia Fudge, WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Marcia, Biden, Adrianne Todman, Olivia Dalton, Fudge, Biden's, Marty Walsh, Jeff Zients Organizations: Housing, Urban, White, Urban Development, Biden, of Housing, U.S . House, Representatives, Air Force, Labor, Politico, Ohio Congressional District, Congressional Black Caucus Locations: Washington , DC, U.S, Ohio

WASHINGTON (AP) — Black History Month, often a time to recognize the contributions of African Americans in U.S. history, was marked in the nation’s capital this week with a focus on present divides and the November election when Black turnout will be integral to the outcome. A few hours later, Republicans held a reception in Washington's U Street neighborhood, a key part of Black history in the city, to celebrate former GOP officials and activists who have engaged Black voters. The White House has taken Black History Month as an opportunity to highlight the administration's efforts on priorities such as education, voting rights and jobs. Republicans held their own Black History Month celebration later that evening with about 100 people. And party officials and strategists stress that its emphasis on Black voters extends beyond a single month of events.

Persons: Biden, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden's, Terri Sewell, Sewell, ”, Ronna McDaniel, they’re, ” McDaniel, Steve Horsford, Donald Trump, Nick Fuentes, “, Donald Trump’s, Michael Tyler, they’ll, Trump, Harris, Lloyd Austin, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Jim Clyburn, Quenton Jordan, Ken Blackwell, we've Organizations: WASHINGTON, Black, White, Republicans, GOP, Democratic, Associated Press, NORC, for Public Affairs Research, “, Republican, RNC, ”, Congressional Black Caucus, Donald Trump’s Republican Party, Biden, Defense, Supreme, Democratic National Committee, South Carolina Rep, Civil Rights, Ohio Republican Locations: Selma, Alabama, Black, ” Nevada, Mar, South Carolina, Ohio

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are critical of diversity and inclusion programs within the federal government and elsewhere, but they see recruiting women and minority candidates, along with veterans, as key to expanding their slim majority in November. “These are not run-of-the-mill generic Republicans," Hudson said. And so we’re using that same formula.”When asked what she makes of the House Republican focus on recruiting females and minorities, the chair of the campaign arm for House Democrats was skeptical. It's not just House Republicans seeking to end such programs. Hudson sidestepped on whether the focus on attracting female and minority candidates as House Republican candidates clashes with efforts to clamp down on diversity and inclusion programs within the federal government and elsewhere.

Persons: Richard Hudson, Prasanth Reddy, Alison Esposito, Hudson, George Logan, there's Kevin Lincoln, Mayra Flores, prognosticators, ” Hudson, “ That’s, “, ”, Suzan DelBene, It's, Hudson sidestepped, George Santos, Tom Suozzi, Mazi, She's, Elise Stefanik's, Alexandria Ocasio, ” Stefanik, ” Steven Horsford, ” Horsford Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Republicans, National Republican Congressional Committee, GOP, House Democrats, Democrats, Republican, “, Associated, Democratic, Ethiopian, Pew Research Center, PAC, Republican Party, Congressional Black Caucus, Women, Puerto Rico Locations: India, Kansas, New York, Guatemala, Connecticut, Stockton , Calif, Mexican, ”, Alexandria, Cortez, Puerto

☆ How Martin Luther King Jr. Day became a federal holiday
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Sonam Sheth | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A bill proposing a federal holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr. was first introduced in 1968. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the second federal holiday of every calendar year (after New Year's Day). The first time Martin Luther King Jr. Day was officially observed was in 1986, according to Time. AdvertisementSouth Carolina became the last state, in 2000, to officially designate Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday. As part of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, public schools and universities are closed, and it's a bank holiday.

Persons: Martin Luther King Jr, Ronald Reagan, —, that's, Holiday Bill, King, . King, Bill, John Conyers of, Congressional Black Caucus —, Republican Sen, Edward Brooke of Massachusetts, didn't, Stevie Wonder, Robert E, Lee, George Washington, Christopher Columbus, Conyers Organizations: Service, MLK, National Museum of, Democratic Rep, Congressional Black Caucus, Republican, Confederate, USPS Locations: Memphis , Tennessee, Memphis, John Conyers of Michigan, Washington, Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi

☆ Senators call on federal regulators to review Navy Federal mortgage disparities, citing CNN investigation
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-11 | by ( Casey Tolan | Rene Marsh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In a letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, ten Democratic U.S. senators asked the regulators to investigate Navy Federal Credit Union’s mortgage lending for compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws. The credit union, which has more than 13 million members, lends to military servicemembers, defense personnel, veterans, and their families. “Navy Federal’s members have made countless sacrifices in their service to our country,” the senators wrote in the letter. The credit union declined to provide CNN any additional data that would make it possible to analyze those factors. Navy Federal has not yet responded to the lawsuits in court.

Persons: Sen, Sherrod Brown, Ron Wyden, Mary McDuffie, Emanuel Cleaver, Steven Horsford, Hakeem Jeffries, ”, Maxine Waters, Ben Crump – Organizations: CNN, Department of Housing, Urban Development, Consumer Financial Protection, Democratic U.S, Navy, Credit, Banking, Finance, Congressional Black Caucus, Federal, “, Navy Federal, Financial Services Locations: Ohio, Oregon, “ Navy, Virginia

☆ Senate sends funding bill to Biden's desk, averting a government shutdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Scott Wong | Kate Santaliz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Senate on Wednesday night passed a stopgap funding bill, punting the GOP's spending fight and the threat of a government shutdown until after the holidays. The funding bill next heads to President Joe Biden's desk for his expected signature. The CR is designed to buy more time for House Republicans to pass appropriations bills and for House and Senate negotiators to reach a deal on funding. The House has passed seven of the twelve annual appropriations bills that fund the government for a full fiscal year, while the Senate has passed three. Johnson and his leadership team sent House lawmakers home for the Thanksgiving holiday early on Wednesday after two appropriations bills ran into trouble.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Jack Reed, Joe Biden's, Schumer, Mike Johnson's, Johnson, Scott Perry, we're, I've, we've, Hakeem Jeffries, Jeffries, — Frank Thorp V, Garrett Haake Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Republicans, New, Agriculture, Transportation, Housing, Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, Defense Department, House Republicans, House, Caucus, Democrats, Congressional Black Caucus Locations: Washington, Israel, Ukraine, D

The comments ricocheted across the House Democratic Caucus – especially for the 15 House Democrats who didn’t vote for it, all of them members of color, some of them Muslim-Americans. An array of House Democrats are pushing unequivocal support for Israel, while a number of progressives have grown increasingly critical of the offensive impacting Palestinian civilians and are upping pressure on the Biden administration to call for a ceasefire. And he is also dealing with a push by Jewish House members to have a more prominent seat at the leadership table. Democrats say the divide is being reflected in their states – and is hurting the president. At a news conference last week, Jeffries was asked about a six-figure ad buy from the Democratic Majority for Israel, a pro-Israel group, criticizing Tlaib.

Persons: Debbie Wasserman Schultz, “, ” Wasserman Schultz, Hakeem Jeffries, Pramila, they’re, Wasserman Schultz’s, Israel –, Andre Carson, American –, Josh Gottheimer, ”, Rashida, Cori Bush, Brown, ” Jayapal, Wasserman Schultz, Joe Biden’s, Biden, Debbie Dingell, censuring, ” Tlaib, Jeffries, Tlaib, we’ve, Elissa Slotkin, Slotkin, “ They’re, who’s, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, it’s, There’s, Jamie Raskin, I’m, CNN’s Edward, Isaac Dovere Organizations: House Democratic Caucus, Israel, Hamas, CNN, Democrats, ” Democratic, Jayapal, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Democratic, Republicans, Michigan Democratic, Congressional Black Caucus, CBC, Florida Democrat, Democrat, Michigan Democrat, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Jewish, GOP, Capitol Police, Jewish Caucus, Biden, Senate, White, Capitol, Maryland Democratic Locations: Florida, Washington, Israel, Indiana, American, New Jersey, Palestinian American, Missouri, Alexandria, Cortez of New York, America

☆ Biden officials set $3 bln bank deposit, procurement goals to boost minority firms
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Phoenix Awards Dinner at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, U.S., September 23, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - The Biden administration on Wednesday urged big companies to deposit another $2 billion into U.S. community lenders to boost loans to minority and underserved businesses, and asked them to devote 15% of their procurement budgets to such firms. Alphabet Inc's Google (GOOGL.O) will commit to spending at least $1 billion annually with "diverse-owned suppliers" in the United States, the Treasury said. The Treasury had previously invested nearly $9 billion into Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and minority-owned banking firms to make more capital available to minority firms. "In order for these minority owned banks and CDFIs to lend that money, they need deposits," Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told reporters.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Walter E, Elizabeth Frantz, Biden, Harris, Wally Adeyemo, David Lawder, Sonali Paul Organizations: Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Washington Convention Center, REUTERS, Rights, Wednesday, Micron Technology, Air Products, Xcel Energy, Treasury Department, Treasury, Freedman's Bank, Community Development Financial, Management, Internal Revenue Service, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, United States

☆ California Senator Laphonza Butler won't seek new US Senate term next year
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Sharon Bernstein | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

"Knowing you can win a campaign doesn't always mean you should run a campaign," Butler said on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. "I know this will be a surprise to many because traditionally we don't see those who have power let it go." Among Democrats seeking to replace Feinstein in heavily Democratic California are Congressional representatives Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee. Senator, but her appointment also drew criticism because she had never held elective office and was not living in the state. Reporting by Sharon Bernstein; additional reporting by Kanishka Singh and Paul Grant; Editing by Rod NickelOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Laphonza Butler, Rosa Parks, Butler, Sen, Dianne Feinstein, Gavin Newsom, Feinstein, Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, Barbara Lee, Steve Garvey, Sharon Bernstein, Kanishka Singh, Paul Grant, Rod Nickel Organizations: Congressional Black Caucus, Senate, Democrat, Republican, Black U.S, Thomson Locations: Hall, U.S, SACRAMENTO, Calif, California, Democratic California, Black

☆ Laphonza Butler’s ascent to the Senate is a key moment for Black LGBTQ representation, advocates say
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Chandelis Duster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“It’s about time,” Franco-Clausen, co-chair of the National Black Justice Coalition’s Good Trouble Network, an initiative that aims to advance policies that benefit the Black LGBTQ+ community, told CNN. She is currently the only Black woman serving in the Senate, and the third ever to serve in the chamber. But Franco-Clausen said she hopes the California senator will usher in a new era of representation. Among Democrats, 52 Black women have served in the House and three have served in the Senate. David Johns, the executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, said he believes Butler’s presence in the Senate is reflective of the work of previous Black LGBTQ+ political leaders.

Persons: CNN — Shay Franco, Clausen, Laphonza Butler, Franco, Sen, Dianne Feinstein, “, ” Franco, Coalition’s, Butler, ”, Kamala Harris –, Feinstein, Gavin Newsom, Charles Schumer, Alex Padilla, Tom Williams, Feinstein … Laphonza, “ Sen, Dianne Feinstein’s, ” Butler, Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, Barbara Lee, Hillary Clinton’s, Kamala Harris ’, who’s, Arnulfo De, Arnulfo De La Cruz, “ Laphonza, Laphonza, Shirley Chisholm, Melanie Campbell, David Johns Organizations: CNN, National Black, Network, Senate, San Francisco, of Supervisors, Committee, Senate Intelligence, Inc, Getty, Washington , D.C, Democratic, Congressional Black Caucus, House Democratic, Jackson State University, University of California, Regents, National Children’s Defense, Service Employees International Union, SEIU, Center for American Women, Republican, Victory, National Coalition, Black, National Black Justice Coalition Locations: California, D, Washington ,, Mississippi, Arnulfo De La, Congress

☆ Laphonza Butler sworn in as California’s newest senator
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Jack Forrest | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington CNN —Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler made history Tuesday when she was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris as the first out Black lesbian to enter Congress and the only Black woman presently serving in the Senate. Gavin Newsom to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, becomes only the third Black woman to serve as a US senator. Harris, formerly the sole Black woman in the Senate, vacated her seat in 2021 after her election as vice president. Newsom was under intense pressure within California to choose a Black woman to succeed her, but instead appointed Alex Padilla, then California’s secretary of state, who became the first Latino senator from the state. Newsom later pledged to appoint a Black woman to Feinstein’s seat should the senator resign before her term’s end.

Persons: Washington CNN — Democratic Sen, Laphonza Butler, Kamala Harris, Butler, Gavin Newsom, Democratic Sen, Dianne Feinstein, Jersey Sen, Bob Menendez’s, Sen, Harris ’, Harris, Newsom, Alex Padilla, Adam Schiff, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Porter, Barbara Lee, Lexi Reese, Eric Early Organizations: Washington CNN — Democratic, California Gov, Democratic, House Democrats, Intelligence, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, House Democratic Locations: Jersey, California

☆ Laphonza Butler makes history as first Black openly lesbian U.S. senator
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Ece Yildirim | In Ecedyildirim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Laphonza Butler was sworn into the Senate Tuesday afternoon, making history as the first openly lesbian Black senator to serve in Congress, and the first openly LGBTQ senator to represent California. She will also be the third Black woman to ever serve in the Senate. Butler was appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom to fill late California senator Dianne Feinstein's seat for the remainder of the term through 2024. NBC News reported that The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) had urged Newsom to appoint Barbara Lee, a Black woman and California Rep. of 25 years. She held the position from 2021 until this week, when she stepped down to accept the Senate seat.

Persons: Laphonza Butler, Butler, Gavin Newsom, Dianne Feinstein's, Feinstein, Barbara Lee, Katie Porter, Adam B, Schiff, Governor Newsom, Porter, Nancy Pelosi, Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Newsom, Steven Horsford, Kamala Harris, Harris, Uber, Butler's, Laphonza Organizations: NBC News, Congressional Black Caucus, CBC, Congressional, Caucus, Black, Democratic, SEIU, University of California, SEIU State Council, CNBC Locations: California, Mississippi, Maryland, Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former union leader and Democratic insider Laphonza Butler was sworn in as the newest member of the Senate on Tuesday, replacing California Sen. Dianne Feinstein after her death and becoming only the third Black female senator in history. On the Senate floor Tuesday, Butler was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris, who served as the second Black female senator until she resigned in 2021 to join President Joe Biden in the White House. The first was Democratic Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, who served one term in the 1990s. In the Senate, Feinstein was the first female chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and the first female top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Laphonza will carry the baton left by Sen. Feinstein (and) continue to break glass ceilings and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C.,” Newsom said.

Persons: Laphonza Butler, California Sen, Dianne Feinstein, Butler, Gavin Newsom, Feinstein, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Democratic Sen, Carol Moseley Braun, Steven Horsford, Newsom, “, ” Newsom, Harris ’, Katie Porter, Adam Schiff, Barbara Lee, ” Butler, Uber, Sen, Alex Padilla, Harris, Barbara Boxer, Moseley Braun, Sen . Feinstein Organizations: WASHINGTON, Democratic, California Gov, Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, Congressional, Caucus, Senate, CBC, House Democrats, California, Senate Intelligence, Washington D.C Locations: California, Washington, Carol Moseley Braun of, Butler, “, U.S, San Francisco

☆ Butler sworn in to replace late California Sen. Feinstein, becoming third Black female senator in U.S. history
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Former union leader and Democratic insider Laphonza Butler was sworn in as the newest member of the Senate on Tuesday, replacing California Sen. Dianne Feinstein after her death and becoming only the third Black female senator in history. The first was Democratic Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, who served one term in the 1990s. She was a giant in California politics, having been the first female mayor of San Francisco and a force in the state's Democratic circles. In the Senate, Feinstein was the first female chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and the first female top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. "Laphonza will carry the baton left by Sen. Feinstein (and) continue to break glass ceilings and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C.," Newsom said.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Laphonza Butler, Dianne Feinstein, Neneki Lee, California Sen, Butler, Gavin Newsom, Feinstein, Joe Biden, Democratic Sen, Carol Moseley Braun, Steven Horsford, Newsom, Harris, Katie Porter, Adam Schiff, Barbara Lee, Uber, Sen, Alex Padilla, Barbara Boxer, Moseley Braun, Sen . Feinstein Organizations: Senate, Capitol, Democratic, California Gov, Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, Congressional, Caucus, CBC, House Democrats, California, Senate Intelligence, Washington D.C Locations: U.S, Washington , U.S, California, Washington, Carol Moseley Braun of, Butler, San Francisco

☆ California Gov. Gavin Newsom chooses Laphonza Butler to fill Dianne Feinstein's Senate seat
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Adam Edelman | Amanda Terkel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gavin Newsom has chosen Laphonza Butler, the president of EMILY's List, to fill the seat of the late Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the governor's office confirmed to NBC News. Feinstein, the longest-serving woman in the Senate, died Thursday at the age of 90. Newsom, a Democrat, had provided substantial clues in recent months about how he'd choose Feinstein's replacement, if her seat were to become vacant. He had previously said that he would appoint a Black woman if either of California's Senate seats opened up. Butler, however, will not have any constraints on her future plans and will be free to run for the seat if she chooses.

Persons: Gavin Newsom, Laphonza Butler, Democratic Sen, Dianne Feinstein, Feinstein, Butler, Kamala Harris, Newsom, NBC's, Barbara Lee, Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, Lee, Alex Padilla Organizations: Democratic, NBC News, SEIU, University of California, Regents, Airbnb, Democrat, Press, Congressional, Caucus Locations: California, North America

Naming Laphonza Butler to fill the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein's seat appears to meet California Gov. Or has Newsom just given Butler a massive boost in becoming the Golden State's fourth elected female senator? And while critics have pointed out that her address until the appointment was in Maryland, Butler "is deeply ingrained in the DNA of California politics." Butler, who will be sworn into the Senate this week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday morning, hasn't indicated whether she wants to stay in the job. She will become the first openly lesbian Black senator and the second Black female senator from California (Vice President Kamala Harris was the first).

Persons: Laphonza Butler, Sen, Dianne Feinstein's, Gavin Newsom's, Newsom, Butler, Feinstein, Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, Barbara Lee, Porter, Lee, Mike Madrid, I'm, Chuck Schumer, hasn't, Ron DeSantis, Kamala Harris, Emily’s, Dianne Feinstein, –, Aimee Allison, Ted Limpert, Limpert, Schiff, Michael Thorning, Thorning Organizations: California Gov, Democratic, Schiff, Republican, Florida Gov, Senate, Congressional Black Caucus, Press, CNN, UC Berkeley, Center, – Locations: California, Maryland, Madrid, Florida, Washington, Golden State

☆ Biden to deliver speech on democracy, legacy of Sen. John McCain in Arizona
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Emma Kinery | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

President Joe Biden is set to deliver a speech Thursday in Phoenix, Arizona, on the state of democracy and to honor his late friend, Republican Sen. John McCain. It is the fourth such speech on democracy Biden has made during his presidency, the first of which was delivered on the first anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Biden is set to say that McCain was representative of the old guard of Republicans and was willing to put his country over his party. The friendship continued after McCain lost the 2008 presidential contest to Barack Obama, whose vice president was Biden. "Not every Republican — not even the majority of Republicans — adhere to the extremist MAGA ideology," Biden plans to say.

Persons: Joe Biden, Walter E, Republican Sen, John McCain, Biden, MAGA, Donald Trump, McCain, Barack Obama, Republican —, Republicans —, I've Organizations: Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Washington Convention Center, Washington , D.C, Republican, Capitol, Arizona State University, McCain Institute, American, McCain, Democratic, White, House, Trump, Senate, Republicans, Republican Party, American Democracy, GOP House Locations: Washington ,, Phoenix , Arizona, America, New York, California

Ahead of a White House welcome for the leaders, Biden announced U.S. diplomatic recognition of two more Pacific islands nations, the Cook Islands and Niue. The White House said this year it would focus on priorities including climate change, economic growth, sustainable development, public health and countering illegal fishing. In Baltimore on Sunday, Pacific island leaders visited a Coast Guard cutter in the harbor and were briefed on combating illegal fishing by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, an official said. The White House in 2022 said the U.S. would invest more than $810 million in expanded programs to aid the Pacific islands. She added that Pacific island countries "welcome the U.S. re-engagement with the region, but don't want geopolitical tussles to result in an escalation of militarization."

Persons: Joe Biden, Walter E, Elizabeth Frantz, Biden, Manasseh Sogavare, Washington, Sogavare, Meg Keen, Sato Kilman, Kilman, Ishmael Kalsakau, David Brunnstrom, Trevor Hunnicutt, Kirsty Needham, Don Durfee, Grant McCool Organizations: Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Washington Convention Center, REUTERS, Rights, Pacific, NFL, White, U.S ., Niue, Sunday, Coast Guard, Sunday's National Football League, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Solomon, Biden, Australia's Lowy Institute, USAID, Vanuatu, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Washington, Cook Islands, Niue, The U.S, Papua New Guinea, U.S, Asia, Cook, Baltimore, Pacific, China, Beijing, Congress, Australia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Kiribati, Hawaii, Palau, Micronesia, Marshall, Sydney

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