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☆ Student loan forgiveness: Senate passes bill to block Biden's program
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Katie Lobosco | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Meanwhile, borrowers are still awaiting a Supreme Court decision, which will determine whether the student loan forgiveness program can take effect. In February, the Supreme Court heard two legal challenges to Biden’s student loan forgiveness program. Biden’s other student debt policiesBiden has extended the pause on federal student loan payments several times. The Biden administration has tied the restart date to the litigation over the separate student loan forgiveness program. New rules set to take effect in July could broaden eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which is aimed at helping government and nonprofit workers.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Democratic Sens, Joe Manchin, Jon Tester, Montana, Arizona Sen, Kyrsten, Jared Golden, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Biden Organizations: Washington CNN —, Senate, Republicans, Democratic, Maine, Washington Rep, Congressional, Office, Republican, Job, Network Foundation, Public, of Education Locations: West Virginia, Arizona, Texas

☆ Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin says he will vote with Republicans to overturn Biden's student-debt relief plans, saying it 'forces hard-working taxpayers who already paid off their loans' to 'shoulder th
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Following the procedural vote, Manchin released a statement of support for "overturning reckless student loan plan." Instead, we should be focusing on bipartisan student debt reforms that reduce the cost of higher education and help all Americans." "But make no mistake: voting for this CRA isn't just a vote against the President's student debt cancellation plan. And Schumer wrote on Twitter on Wednesday that "Senate Republicans talk a big game about helping working families. Sen. Bill Cassidy, one of the sponsors of the bill, wrote on Twitter that "Biden's so-called student debt "forgiveness plan" doesn't actually forgive or cancel the debt.

Persons: Democratic Sen, Joe Manchin, —, Joe Biden's, — Kyrsten Sinema, John Tester, Manchin —, Biden, Manchin, Chuck Schumer, Massachusetts Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Warren, It's, Schumer, Sen, Bill Cassidy, doesn't Organizations: Democratic, GOP, Service, Privacy, Republicans, Biden, Manchin, Massachusetts, Twitter

☆ Democratic Sen. Tom Carper says he won't seek re-election in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Summer Concepcion | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) speaks during a news conference after the first Democratic luncheon meeting since COVID-19 restrictions went into effect on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 13, 2021. Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., announced Monday that he will not seek re-election next year after more than 20 years in the Senate. During his time in the Senate, Carper served as the chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and as a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee. Delaware hasn't had a Republican hold statewide office since 2018, when long-time GOP auditor Tom Wagner declined to seek re-election. Dianne Feinstein of California and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan have announced their plans to not to seek re-election next year.

☆ Dem. congressman calls 'No Labels' presidential run by Sen. Joe Manchin in a race against Biden and Trump a 'historic disaster'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Democrats are nervous about a potential 'No Labels' presidential ticket, per The New York Times. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema have been brought up as potential candidates, per the report. And the possibility of more moderate political figures like Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, or former Gov. "If No Labels runs a Joe Manchin against Donald Trump and Joe Biden, I think it will be a historic disaster," Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota told The Times. Individuals with ties to Manchin are doubtful that he might surface as a No Labels candidate, per The Times.

Ambassador and South Carolina Republican Gov. Nikki Haley has walked a long and windy road when it comes to her one-time boss, former President Donald Trump. DeSantis’ announcement nears: NBC News’ Dasha Burns reports that Florida Republican Gov. And the New York Times reports DeSantis has been telling donors that out of the three “credible” candidates for president (Trump, himself and President Biden), only he and Biden can win. Raising eyebrows: Virginia GOP Gov.

Biden highlighted his administration’s work to prevent gun violence in a weekend op-ed that called out Congress to do more on the issue. Plus, they want to invest early in Florida, hoping to prove the state isn’t truly off the map for Democrats. Thinking about it: Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who has been weighing a run for president, told Politico he will decide before late June. Rick Perry didn’t rule out running for president again in an interview with CNN, and wouldn’t endorse Trump. Jim Justice’s office to obtain his official calendar, NBC News first reports.

☆ Mitch McConnell says he 'would love to have had' Kyrsten Sinema caucus with Republicans
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Despite leaving the Democratic Party, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema says she'll never become a Republican. McConnell added that the "decision was made" when she decided to keep caucusing with Democrats. The Arizona senator, who left the Democratic Party to become an independent in December, nonetheless continues to informally caucus with her old colleagues, at least on paper. But in an interview with CNN published on Monday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell acknowledged that he would welcome Sinema to the Senate Republican conference — but that there's no active discussion of the idea. "I mean, I just, I'm laughing because I literally just spent time explaining how broken the two parties are," Sinema added.

☆ Kyrsten Sinema, eyeing GOP voters, knocks 'both political parties' when asked about election deniers in Arizona
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

In 2024, Sinema would likely need support from conservative voters who doubt the 2020 election. "Well, we're currently living in a climate where it's okay to say things that aren't true," Sinema said. "What I think we're facing in our country today is this situation where people don't know what's true and what's not true," said Sinema. Sinema again blamed "the two political parties" for becoming "more extreme." Lake says she's "seriously considering" a Senate campaign, and Sheriff Mark Lamb, already running in the GOP primary, has also cast doubt on the validity of the 2020 election.

☆ Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who left the Democratic Party last year, says she's 'absolutely' done with parties and won't join the GOP: 'You don't go from one broken party to another'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Kyrsten Sinema told CBS News she's "absolutely" done with political parties and won't join the GOP. She left the Democratic Party last year and became an Independent before a potential reelection bid. "It's okay not to agree a hundred percent with another," the Arizona senator told Margaret Brennan. There was less willingness for individuals to have their own opinions to make their own decisions," Sinema told Brennan. I mean, I just, I'm laughing because I literally just spent time explaining how broken the two parties are," Sinema replied.

☆ Repulsed by Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump? Tough. - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Gail Collins | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

This conversation took place when the country was bearing down on the 2016 election, and Nader vowed not to vote for either Trump or Clinton. “They’re not alike,” he acknowledged, but added, “they’re both terrible.”Think that was the last time I ever consulted Ralph Nader. Well, a few days before the election the Green candidate — have I mentioned her name was Angela Green? As senator, Sinema became an, um, unreliable Democratic vote. Another senator who frequently drives Democratic leaders crazy is Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who hasn’t announced his own plans.

☆ Kyrsten Sinema’s Party of One
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Robert Draper | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Katie Hobbs, who received almost 11 percent of the Republican vote in her 2022 victory over the far-right Kari Lake. Sinema, even before she left the party in December, had become the Democrat whom Democrats love to hate. In January 2022, after her refusal to pass voting rights legislation by discarding the Senate filibuster that stood in the way, Sinema was censured by Arizona’s Democratic Party. “The decision was really a no-brainer,” a former state party official told me, adding that the censure resolution was supported by more than 90 percent of Arizona’s Democratic precinct committee members. Hobbs, on the other hand, relied heavily on the turnout of a progressive base that might have reacted poorly to Sinema’s presence on the stump.

☆ The 10 Senate seats most likely to flip in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Simone Pathe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

The GOP needs a net gain of one or two seats to flip the chamber, depending on which party wins the White House in 2024, and it’s Democrats who are defending the tougher seats. Jim Justice announcing his Senate bid in West Virginia – the seat most likely to flip party control in 2024. In a presidential year, the national environment is likely to loom large, especially with battleground states hosting key Senate races. Two businessmen with the ability to tap into or raise significant resources could be in the mix – Eric Hovde, who lost the GOP Senate nomination in 2012, and Scott Mayer. Still, unseating Cruz in a state Trump won by nearly 6 points in 2020 will be a tall order.

☆ These are the top Senate races to watch in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

They have reason to be hopeful: Democrats face a daunting 2024 Senate map that puts them on defense in 23 of the cycle's 34 races, including multiple seats considered ripe for GOP challenges. The grim outlook has some Senate Democrats considering retirement, even after the caucus expanded to a 51-49 majority following a better-than-expected showing in the midterms. Jim Justice, reportedly the state's richest man and one of its favored contenders for the Senate race. But the 2024 Senate race in Ohio is currently considered a toss-up, as Republicans have made significant gains in the state in the last two election cycles. Sabato's Crystal Ball and the Cook Political Report both say the Michigan Senate race leans Democratic.

☆ Kyrsten Sinema, Joe Manchin Fail to Attract Small Donors for Potential Re-Election Campaigns
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Julie Bykowicz | Anthony Debarros | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and Sen. Joe Manchin have mutual donors with ties to the group No Labels, which supports centrist politicians. Photo: Ash Ponders for The Wall Street Journal; Reginald Mathalone/NurPhoto/ZUMA PressWASHINGTON—Small donors have largely abandoned Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin as they have strayed from the Democratic Party, although they are attracting larger donors with ties to a centrist organization, new fundraising reports show. Ms. Sinema of Arizona and Mr. Manchin of West Virginia each raised less than 1% of their campaign money between Jan. 1 and March 31 from donors who gave $200 or less. Those are among the lowest percentages in the Senate—and well below their previous grassroots fundraising levels, Federal Election Commission filings show.

☆ Arizona Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego recently outraised Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema in what could be the most unpredictable Senate race of 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego outraised Independent Kyrsten Sinema in the first quarter of 2023. Gallego's campaign reported raising $3.74 million, while Sinema raised $2.1 million, per the FEC. The Grand Canyon State could potentially boast the most competitive Senate race in the US next year. The outcome of a competitive three-way Arizona race could very well determine control of the Senate. And the race would also be held with the concurrent presidential election, which could feature a rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

☆ U.S. judge blocks Biden clean water rule in 24 states
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 12 (Reuters) - A federal judge in North Dakota on Wednesday temporarily blocked implementation of a Biden administration rule establishing protections for seasonal streams and wetlands in 24 states, according to court documents. U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Hovland granted the states' request for a preliminary injunction prohibiting enforcement of the Environmental Protection Agency's Waters of the United States rule, which was finalized in December. In the order, Hovland said the states would "expend unrecoverable resources complying with a rule unlikely to withstand judicial scrutiny." An EPA spokesperson said the agency is reviewing Wednesday’s ruling and called the Biden administration rule “the best interpretation” of the Clean Water Act. In Congress, Republicans led an effort to repeal the water rule last month, with limited support from across the aisle including four Senate Democrats and independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona.

☆ Kyrsten Sinema Is Preparing for a 2024 Re-Election Campaign as an Independent
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Eliza Collins | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

PHOENIX— Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema , the Democrat-turned-independent, is preparing for a re-election campaign, setting the stage for what could be an unpredictable three-way contest in the highly competitive state. Ms. Sinema and her team gathered in Phoenix earlier this week for a staff retreat, according to people familiar with the session. One meeting included a slideshow laying out a timeline of a potential run, according to slides reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. While Ms. Sinema hasn’t announced her plans, the materials reviewed by the Journal provide details on steps Ms. Sinema is taking to potentially run for re-election.

☆ Meet Harlan Crow, Clarence Thomas' vacation pal, GOP megadonor, and billionaire Texas real estate magnate
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Texas real estate magnate Harlan Crow provided lavish vacations to Justice Clarence Thomas. Born in 1949 in Dallas, Texas, Crow is a 74-year-old real estate developer and the chairman of Crow Holdings, a Dallas-based real estate development and investment firm that was started by his father, Trammell Crow. Before his death in 2009, Trammell Crow was once one of the nation's most prominent real estate developers and landlords. What's his relationship with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas? He also donated $105,000 to Thomas' alma mater, Yale Law School, for the "Justice Thomas Portrait Fund."

☆ AOC says 'a lot' of House Dems would cast 'disingenuous' yes votes for Medicare for All if it came to floor because they 'know that it's going to a graveyard' in the Senate
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez argued some Democrats don't sincerely support Medicare for All. She said the Senate's 60-vote filibuster lets them to rhetorically support it but not fight for it. She argued dismantling the filibuster is the "precursor" to passing progressive priorities. The most recent House version of the bill, introduced in 2021, garnered 123 co-sponsorships — more than half of the House Democratic Caucus at the time. Filibuster frustrationsThe filibuster stymied Democrats during the first two years of the Biden administration when they held slim majorities in both the House and Senate.

☆ GOP billionaire who funded Clarence Thomas's vacations has also given thousands of dollars to Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

GOP megadonor Harlan Crow has been secretly funding lavish vacations for Justice Clarence Thomas. But he's also given thousands to Democrats who've stymied the party's agenda at various times. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, as well as Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Henry Cuellar. According to federal campaign finance data, the Texas billionaire has given $16,800 to Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey since 2018, contributing thousands as recently as October 2022. For his part, Crow told ProPublica in a statement that he and his wife "have never sought to influence Justice Thomas on any legal or political issue."

☆ Senate votes to roll back Biden administration clean water rule
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Emma Newburger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Senate has approved a resolution to overturn a Biden administration rule that would expand federal protections for the country's waterways, a measure Republicans have criticized as overbearing and burdensome to business. The vote comes after the Biden administration last year issued a rule that more broadly defined which types of waterways in the U.S. are eligible for federal water quality protections under the 1972 Clean Water Act. The White House said the revised rule is based on definitions that were in place before 2015, when the Obama administration sought to expand federal protections. The Biden administration argued that rolling back the rule would make federal regulations unclear for businesses and farmers and that increased uncertainty would threaten economic growth for agriculture, and local economies. However, a federal judge this month paused the Biden administration's waterway protections in Texas and Idaho, marking a victory for Republican challengers.

☆ Josh Hawley splits Senate GOP over 'duplicative' idea to create a new office tracking US aid to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The Senate rejected a bill from Josh Hawley to establish a new office to oversee Ukraine aid. Many Republicans said they were confident in the Biden administration's aid tracking efforts. "We already have a very extensive operation to oversee spending in Ukraine," said Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah. Hawley's bill did win over at least one Republican who's a vocal supporter of aiding Ukraine: Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. The underlying AUMF repeal bill, which is backed by a large bipartisan majority of senators and has been endorsed by the White House, is expected to pass the Senate on Wednesday.

☆ Biden FAA nominee who withdrew cites 'cheap and unfounded partisan attacks'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, March 27 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden's nominee to head the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) who withdrew from consideration said on Monday he did not see a path forward for winning approval. Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington said in a statement that he had written to Biden on Friday to withdraw. "I no longer saw a respectful, civil, and viable path forward to Senate confirmation," Washington said on Monday. "I faced cheap and unfounded partisan attacks and procedural obstruction with regard to my military career that would have further lengthened the already delayed confirmation process." Senator Kyrsten Sinema, an Independent, said on Monday: "The administration should quickly nominate a permanent FAA administrator with the necessary, substantial aviation safety experience and expertise."

☆ Exclusive: Biden nominee to head FAA withdraws after Republican criticism
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

WASHINGTON, March 25 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's nominee to head the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is withdrawing his nomination after Republican criticism that he was not qualified to serve as the top aviation regulator. Last year, Biden nominated Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington to serve as FAA administrator. A White House official had earlier told Reuters "politics must not hold up confirming an administrator to lead the FAA, and we will move expeditiously to nominate a new candidate for FAA administrator." Some industry officials think the White House could name acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen as a new nominee. Nolen, who was named head of the FAA's aviation safety office, has been the acting FAA administrator since April 2022 and has received backing from many Republicans in Congress.

☆ Biden’s pick to lead FAA withdraws amid shaky Senate support
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Phillip A. Washington speaks at a nomination hearing with the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Capitol Hill on March 01, 2023 in Washington, DC. Democrats and allied independents still might have pushed the nomination through, but key senators on their side balked at supporting Biden's pick. "The FAA needs a confirmed Administrator, and Phil Washington's transportation & military experience made him an excellent nominee," Buttigieg tweeted Saturday night. He has strong ties to the administration, however — he led Biden's 2020 transition team for the Transportation Department, which includes the FAA. "Given the significant challenges facing the FAA, this wasn't the time for an administrator who needed on-the-job training," he said.

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