Summary
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has announced a ceasefire in Gaza, after 11 days of attacks between Israeli forces and Hamas. The violence has killed more than 200 people, most of them Palestinian.
- Joe Biden said he spoke with Netanyahu six times over the past 11 days of conflict. The Israeli prime minister thanked Biden for the Iron Dome defense system and “assured him my full support to replenish Israel’s Iron Dome system to ensure its defenses and security in the future”, the US president said.
- The president lauded the ceasefire agreement in his first substantive remarks on the Israeli-Palestinian violence. “These hostilities have resulted in the tragic deaths of so many civilians, including children,” Biden said, speaking from the White House. “I send my sincere condolences to all the families, Israeli and Palestinian, who have lost loved ones. And my hope for a full recovery for the wounded.”
- Biden signed the anti-Asian American hate crimes bill into law. The law will establish a point person at the justice department to expedite the review of coronavirus-related hate crimes against Asian Americans. Before signing the bill, Biden said, “Silence is complicity. And we cannot be complicit. We have to speak out. We have to act.”
- Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer said the upper chamber will take action on the 6 January commission bill “very soon”. The House passed the bill to form a bipartisan commission to study the Capitol insurrection yesterday, but Schumer does not yet appear to have the votes to overcome a filibuster when the legislation comes up for a vote in the Senate.
- The House narrowly passed a bill to provide $1.9bn in funding to bolster Capitol security in response to the 6 January insurrection. The final vote on the bill was 213 to 212, with six House progressives voting “no” or “present” on the proposal. The bill faces significant hurdles in the Senate.
– Joan E Greve and Maanvi Singh
Updated
New York governor announces $5m Covid vaccine lottery incentive
New Yorkers could win up to $5m from the New York state lottery if they get vaccinated against Covid-19 at a state-run clinic, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Thursday.
The new incentive, called the “Vax & Scratch”, will allow those who get vaccinated to receive a $20 lottery ticket for the $5m Mega Multiplier Lottery.
Thirteen winners will get a monetary prize ranging from $20 to $5m.
New York’s initiative is one of many incentives that have been recently launched across the US as officials search for new ways to boost the dwindling demand for Covid-19 vaccines.
Ohio offered a similar incentive two weeks ago, where residents who received their first jab could win one of five $1m prizes. Thus far, Ohio has seen an increase in vaccinations after weeks of decline.
In New Jersey, residents 21 and older can get a free beer after receiving their first vaccination. In Alabama, residents who received a vaccine or Covid test were able to take a free drive on the famed Talladega Superspeedway.
Joe Biden’s goal is to have at least one vaccine dose administered to 70% of the country’s adult population by 4 July. But despite an early surge in demand, vaccination rates have been dropping in recent weeks.
At least 38.1% of Americans are fully vaccinated. In New York, at least 42.9% of the population has received their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot vaccine.
These were Biden’s first substantive remarks on this bout of Israeli-Palestinian violence after 11 days of bombing, rockets, and bloodshed, during which he has been increasingly criticized by the left of his party for not putting pressure on Israel to restrain its bombing of Gaza in the face of mounting civilian deaths.
He defended his administration continuing “quiet relentless diplomacy” towards a peace settlement. Such a settlement has looked exceedingly remote in recent days, but Biden insisted there was “a genuine opportunity to make progress”.
Some of the harshest criticism of Biden’s approach has been over his refusal, on four occasions, to join a common UN security council position calling for a ceasefire. In his remarks this evening, he said the US would work with the UN, but by that he meant the UN agencies, involved in reconstruction work in Gaza.
And with an eye to critics on the right he stressed that work would be done in partnership with the Palestinian Authority, rather than with Hamas, the dominant political force in Gaza.
Biden said he spoke with Netanyahu six times over the past 11 days of conflict. The Israeli prime minister thanked Biden for the Iron Dome defense system and “assured him my full support to replenish Israel’s Iron Dome system to ensure its defenses and security in the future,” the US president said.
“The United States fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks from Hamas and other Gaza-based terrorist groups that have taken the lives of innocent civilians in Israel,” Biden said.
He also emphasized that the US will ‘remain committed to working with the United Nations and other international stakeholders to revive rapid humanitarian assistance, and marshall international support for the people of Gaza, and the Gaza reconstruction efforts.”
“We will do this in full partnership with the Palestinian Authority,” he said, “not Hamas”.
The US had reportedly thrice blocked over UN security council resolutions that would have condemned Israeli military actions and called for a ceasefire as hundreds in Gaza, including children, died.
Updated
Joe Biden said he was told the ceasefire will begin in less than two hours
“These hostilities have resulted in the tragic deaths of so many civilians, including children,” Biden said, speaking from the White House. “I send my sincere condolences to all the families, Israeli and Palestinian, who have lost loved ones. And my hope for a full recovery for the wounded.”
The president said he spoke with Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, Egypt’s Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, and Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority.
“I believe the Palestinians and Israelis equally deserve to live safely and securely and enjoy equal measures of freedom, prosperity, and democracy,” he said. “My administration will continue our quiet relentless diplomacy toward that end.”
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken confirmed that the US would not seek to buy Greenland. Donald Trump had suggested doing so in 2019.
At a news conference with Danish foreign minister Jeppe Kofod, Greenland’s premier, Mute Egede, and foreign minister Pele Broberg, Blinken reaffirmed that the US had no desire. to bid for the island.
Blinken was in Greenland as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to reaffirm a relationship with “our Arctic partners, Greenland and Denmark.”
Trump had discussed purchasing Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen had responded that the island was not for sale.
Joe Biden will be addressing the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement soon.
He will be delivering remarks on the matter in about 30 minutes – stay tuned for live coverage.
The ceasefire agreement today came a day after Biden spoke to Netanyahu, saying he wanted “a significant de-escalation” to take the situation. Despite pressure from progressive Democratic lawmakers, he avoided putting public pressure on Israel.
As my colleagues Oliver Holmes in Jerusalem and Julian Borger in Washington explain:
The ceasefire would put an end the heaviest fighting since 2014, which has inflicted widespread destruction in Gaza and brought life in much of Israel to a halt.
One Hamas official, Ali Barakeh, told the AP that the truce was a defeat for Netanyahu and “a victory to the Palestinian people.” Israel’s military similarly claimed “great accomplishments”.
Read more:
Updated
Today so far
That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has announced a ceasefire in Gaza, after 11 days of attacks between Israeli forces and Hamas. The violence has killed more than 200 people, most of them Palestinian.
- Joe Biden will deliver remarks on the Middle East in the next hour. The US president had urged Netanyahu yesterday to take immediate steps toward a ceasefire.
- Biden signed the anti-Asian American hate crimes bill into law. The law will establish a point person at the justice department to expedite the review of coronavirus-related hate crimes against Asian Americans. Before signing the bill, Biden said, “Silence is complicity. And we cannot be complicit. We have to speak out. We have to act.”
- Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer said the upper chamber will take action on the 6 January commission bill “very soon”. The House passed the bill to form a bipartisan commission to study the Capitol insurrection yesterday, but Schumer does not yet appear to have the votes to overcome a filibuster when the legislation comes up for a vote in the Senate.
- The House narrowly passed a bill to provide $1.9bn in funding to bolster Capitol security in response to the 6 January insurrection. The final vote on the bill was 213 to 212, with six House progressives voting “no” or “present” on the proposal. The bill faces significant hurdles in the Senate.
Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Updated
Biden to soon deliver remarks after ceasefire announced in Gaza
Joe Biden will deliver remarks on the Middle East at 5:45 pm ET, the White House confirmed to the press pool.
The president’s remarks will come shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced a ceasefire in Gaza, after 11 days of attacks between Israeli forces and Hamas. More than 200 people, most of them Palestinian, have died in the violence.
In a phone call with Netanyahu yesterday, Biden pressed the Israeli prime minister to take immediate steps toward a ceasefire.
The White House has lifted the “lid,” which was called about an hour ago, after Joe Biden signed the anti-Asian hate crimes bill.
It is quite unusual for the White House to lift a lid, which marks the end of the president’s public appearances for the day.
The decision signals that Biden may speak on-camera this evening, and it seems likely those remarks will focus on the Gaza ceasefire.
The Guardian’s Oliver Holmes and Julian Borger report:
Senior Israeli defence officials recommended accepting the ceasefire proposal after claiming “great accomplishments” in the operation, according to a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
“The political leaders emphasised that the reality on the ground will be that which determines the future of the campaign,” the statement said.
The White House said it believed Israel had achieved “significant military objectives” and was in a position to wind down operations. “We have seen reports of a move toward a potential ceasefire. That’s clearly encouraging,” the White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, said this afternoon.
The UN secretary general, António Guterres, added further pressure, calling for an immediate ceasefire and urging Israel’s military to exercise maximum restraint and for Hamas to stop indiscriminate rocket fire.
Guterres described Gaza as “hell on earth” for children, and said he would launch a full humanitarian appeal for funding as soon as possible.
“The hostilities have caused serious damage to vital civilian infrastructure in Gaza, including roads and electricity lines, contributing to a humanitarian emergency. Crossings into Gaza have been closed and power shortages are affecting water supplies,” Guterres said.
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer applauded Joe Biden for signing the anti-Asian American hate crimes bill this afternoon.
The Democratic leader said he was proud to work with Senator Mazie Hirono and congresswoman Grace Meng on the bill, which passed the House on Tuesday.
Schumer said the law will send the message that “racism and violence against Asian Americans has no place in our society”, echoing Biden’s comments at the bill-signing ceremony.
President Biden just signed into law the COVID Hate Crimes Act to #StopAsianHate!
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 20, 2021
I was so proud to work with Sen. @MazieHirono & @RepGraceMeng to pass it in the Senate and House and send the message that
Racism and violence against Asian Americans has no place in our society.
Updated
One Biden administration official told CNN that the president will soon release a statement on the ceasefire in Gaza, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has now confirmed.
President Biden will issue a statement once the White House has confirmed the ceasefire, according to an administration official.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) May 20, 2021
Netanyahu's office announces 'mutual and simultaneous' ceasefire in Gaza
The Guardian’s Oliver Holmes and Julian Borger report:
Israel’s security cabinet has approved a ceasefire to halt an 11-day bombardment of Gaza, after days of international pressure to end the bloodshed.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced the “mutual and simultaneous” ceasefire proposed by Egypt late on Thursday. A Hamas official confirmed the agreement, telling Reuters that the truce would start at 02.00 on Friday (23.00GMT).
In recent days, Israeli media had suggested the military believed its goals had largely been met and Hamas officials said a ceasefire was in reach.
Earlier on Thursday, Israel and Palestinian militants halted their fire for several hours. The calm did not last, but previous rounds of fighting have had similar lulls in violence, seen as attempts at trust-building, before an official end in hostilities.
Updated
As reports emerge of a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian fighters in Gaza, the longtime foes are poised to turn their attention away from military action and on to constructing competing narratives of victory.
Already, the groundwork is being laid. Unnamed Israeli defence officials are being quoted in local media as saying they are satisfied with the damage inflicted. And a militant source in Gaza said: “For us, the battle achieved its goals.”
In big picture terms, nothing has changed. Hamas remains in charge inside the Gaza Strip, over which Israel continues to maintain a blockade. At least 230 Palestinians have been killed, including 65 children, and 12 people in Israel, including two children.
The Israeli military says the 11 days of intense airstrikes have killed scores of fighters and destroyed weapons and rocket stores. In what is being promoted as its crowning achievement, Israel says its airstrikes have obliterated a miles-long underground network of Gaza tunnels dubbed the “Metro”.
Not everyone in Israel is impressed. “While it is true that the targets that have been attacked in the past few days have been damaging to Hamas, at the end of the day that has merely been more of the same,” wrote commentator Yossi Yehoshua in the Israeli daily, Yedioth Ahronoth.
Israeli security cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire - reports
The Israeli security cabinet has approved a ceasefire in Gaza, according to multiple press reports.
BREAKING: Israeli security cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire, Israeli official says
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) May 20, 2021
The news comes after 11 days of attacks between Israeli forces and Hamas in Gaza, which have claimed the lives of more than 200 people, most of them Palestinian.
In a conversation with Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday, Joe Biden urged the Israeli prime minister to take immediate steps toward a ceasefire.
Netanyahu said hours later that he was “determined” to continue the mission until Israel’s aims were met, but Israeli military leaders signaled today that they believed their airstrikes had achieved their “goals” in Gaza.
In his remarks before signing the anti-Asian American hate crimes bill, Joe Biden denounced racism as an “ugly poison” that has tarnished the country.
“I believe with every fiber of my being that there are simple core values and beliefs that should bring us together as Americans,” the president said of the bill.
“One of them is standing together against hate, against racism — the ugly poison that has long haunted and plagued our nation.”
President Biden: "I believe with every fiber of my being that there are simple core values and beliefs that should bring us together as Americans. One of them is standing together against hate, against racism — the ugly poison that has long haunted and plagued our nation." pic.twitter.com/DB1gsTNoen
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 20, 2021
Updated
Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell applauded Joe Biden for signing the anti-Asian American hate crimes bill into law moments ago.
“Recent increases in anti-Asian hate crimes are alarming,” the Republican leader said on Twitter. “I’m proud the Senate took bipartisan action — and, as the proud husband of a remarkable Asian-American woman, I am especially glad this effort is now law.”
I applaud @POTUS for signing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law. Recent increases in anti-Asian hate crimes are alarming. I’m proud the Senate took bipartisan action — and, as the proud husband of a remarkable Asian-American woman, I am especially glad this effort is now law.
— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) May 20, 2021
In his remarks before signing the bill, Biden similarly applauded the work of lawmakers of both parties to bring the legislation to his desk.
“I’m proud today of our political system, the United States Congress,” Biden said. “I’m proud today that Democrats and Republicans have stood up together to say something.”
Biden signs anti-Asian hate crimes bill: 'We cannot be complicit. We have to speak out'
Joe Biden has now signed the anti-Asian hate crimes bill at the White House, two days after the House passed the legislation.
Echoing Kamala Harris, the president thanked the lawmakers of both parties who came together to pass the bill, which will establish a point person at the justice department to expedite the review of coronavirus-related hate crimes against Asian Americans.
The president expressed sympathy for the Asian Americans who are living in fear because of the recent surge in hate incidents against members of their community. He described such prejudice as “simply un-American”.
“We need to unite as one people, one nation, one America,” Biden said before signing the bill. “We must unite the country.”
He added, “I mean this from the bottom of my heart: hate can be given no safe harbor in America.”
Biden specifically urged Americans to speak out against hate in their communities. “Silence is complicity. And we cannot be complicit. We have to speak out. We have to act,” the president said. “Every time we’re silent, every time we let hate flourish, we make a lie of who we are as a nation.”
Updated
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have arrived in the East Room for the signing of the anti-Asian American hate crimes bill.
The vice-president spoke first, thanking lawmakers of both parties for getting the legislation to the president’s desk today.
Harris specifically thanked Senator Mazie Hirono and congresswoman Grace Meng for shepherding the bill through the Senate and the House.
“Because of you, history will remember this day and this moment, when our nation took action to combat hate,” Harris said.
Joe Biden spoke to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi today about the violence in Gaza, the White House said.
“The two leaders discussed efforts to achieve a ceasefire that will bring an end to the current hostilities in Israel and Gaza,” the White House said in a readout of the call.
“They agreed that their teams would stay in constant communication toward that end and the two leaders would stay closely in touch.”
Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday, and the US president urged him to take immediate steps toward a ceasefire in Gaza.
Joe Biden will soon sign the anti-Asian American hate crimes bill into law, and many lawmakers are at the White House to witness the bill-signing.
Reporters noted this was the first time in months that a White House event actually looked somewhat normal, with lawmakers going maskless after the CDC said fully vaccinated individuals could skip masks in most settings.
For the first time in a long time, the East Room looks...normal. Lawmakers and guests are milling about, taking pictures and shaking hands with no masks. President Biden is expected to sign the Asian-American hate crimes bill shortly. pic.twitter.com/Y4dXNxeF0u
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) May 20, 2021
More from the AP regarding the violence in Gaza:
The White House says that reports of a move toward a cease-fire between Israel and the militant Hamas group that rules the Gaza Strip are “clearly encouraging” but cautioned that a truce has yet to be agreed on.
Press secretary Jen Psaki said on Thursday that the White House believes the Israelis have “achieved significant military objectives” in their strikes against Hamas targets, which is why President Joe Biden expects them to start “winding down” their operation there.
Psaki says the Biden administration has conveyed that to the Israeli side “and that is what we expect to happen.”
Psaki added that Biden’s comments to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for de-escalation, were “a reflection of what we’re seeing on the ground.”
She said the United States’ “strategic approach here is to communicate directly, stay closely interlocked with the Israelis, with partners on the ground, to do everything we can to bring an end to the conflict.”
She also said the US has “held more than 80 engagements with senior leaders in Israel, the Palestinian Authority and across the region.”
Updated
White House pledges 'fair and balanced' global vaccine distribution
As the US opens up and lifts pandemic restrictions, Psaki also answered several questions about how it will handle coronavirus issues across the world.
– Psaki said the US plans to distribute vaccines to countries in need, but has not released a plan yet on where they will go. She said the Biden administration is trying to it “in a way that’s fair and has a regional balance.”
– On the topic of Covid vaccine boosters, Psaki said they will wait for the FDA guidance to decide whether Americans need further inoculation and that this idea was considered when creating its original distribution plan.
– As Republicans continue to push the theory that the coronavirus was created in a Chinese lab, Psaki said the Biden administration supports an independent investigation in China but would wait for evidence before making any claims about the origins.
Updated
At the White House presser, Psaki also fielded questions about two major pipelines. She defended the Biden administration’s waiving of sanctions on the Russian company behind the gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 and its German chief executive saying that it had geopolitical implications, and touting the US relationship with Germany.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken opted to waive the sanctions saying earlier they “would negatively impact US relations with Germany, the EU and other European allies and partners,” said the State Department report, which was obtained by NBC News.
Psaki, however, said the Russian pipeline decision was different than Biden’s blocking of the Keystone XL pipeline. “We’ve continued to convey we think it’s a bad idea, a bad plan,” she said, pointing to the various scientific reports about its environmental impact.
Updated
The White House press conference with Jen Psaki is underway. Psaki started the presser with a focus on jobs. She pointed out that this week the unemployment claims are lower than they’ve been for months, and that there have been 500,000 new jobs per month under Joe Biden’s presidency thus far.
But the presser was largely focused on the the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has claimed over 200 Palestinian lives, and 10 in Israel.
Psaki retained on focus on Biden’s 80+ conversations with global leaders in an attempt to deescalate the violence. “We’ve seen reports of a move toward potential ceasefire,” she said, but noted that it was too early to know whether the strikes will end.
When asked about the progressive Democrat move to block more weapons trade to Israel, Psaki doubled down on the country’s “long abiding security and strategic relationship” with Israel.
Today so far
Here’s where the day stands so far:
- Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer said the upper chamber will take action on the January 6 commission bill “very soon”. The House passed the bill to form a bipartisan commission to study the Capitol insurrection yesterday, but Schumer does not yet appear to have the votes to overcome a filibuster when the legislation comes up for a vote in the Senate.
- The House narrowly passed a bill to provide $1.9 billion in funding to bolster Capitol security in response to the January 6 insurrection. The final vote on the bill was 213 to 212, with six House progressives voting “no” or “present” on the proposal. The bill faces significant hurdles in the Senate.
-
Bernie Sanders is expected to introduce a resolution today opposing the US sale of weapons to Israel, after more than a week of attacks in Gaza have killed hundreds of people, most of them Palestinian. The progressive senator said of his resolution, “At a moment when U.S.-made bombs are devastating Gaza, and killing women and children, we cannot simply let another huge arms sale go through without even a Congressional debate.”
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
The House has just wrapped up its final votes for the month of May. The lower chamber is not expected to take another vote until Monday, June 14.
Capitol Hill reporters spotted House members racing out of the chamber to catch flights back to their home districts.
The scent of jet fumes is thick. Just witness a House member run out of the Capitol and mutter: “Oh no I’m gonna miss a flight.” ✈️ ✈️ ✈️
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) May 20, 2021
House Democrats pass Capitol security funding bill over progressive opposition
The House has very narrowly passed a bill to provide $1.9 billion in funding to bolster Capitol security in response to the January 6 insurrection.
The final vote was 213 to 212, with three progressive members -- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Jamaal Bowman of New York -- voting “present” on the legislation.
The House passed H.R. 3237 - Emergency Security Supplemental to Respond to January 6th Appropriations Act, 2021 by a vote of 213-212- 3 present. https://t.co/2CbPwvf9LL
— House Press Gallery (@HouseDailyPress) May 20, 2021
Three other House progressives -- Cori Bush of Missouri, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts -- joined their Republican colleagues in opposing the bill.
According to multiple reports, the progressive lawmakers expressed concern about insufficient accountability for law enforcement officers whose agencies would receive funding from the bill.
The bill barely passed the House, and it faces significant hurdles in the Senate, where members of both parties have expressed reservations about the proposal.
Updated
Two more House progressives -- Cori Bush of Missouri and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts -- have voted no on the Capitol security bill.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez voted present, joining Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Jamaal Bowman of New York.
The House is now voting on the bill to spend $1.9 billion to bolster Capitol security, in response to the January 6 insurrection.
The House is voting NOW on passage of H.R. 3237 - Emergency Security Supplemental to Respond to January 6th Appropriations Act, 2021 (Sponsored by @rosadelauro / Appropriations Committee).
— House Press Gallery (@HouseDailyPress) May 20, 2021
According to multiple reports, a group of House progressives raised some last-minute concerns about accountability for law enforcement officers whose agencies would be receiving money from the legislation.
So far, only one Democrat -- congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota -- has voted against the bill. Two other House progressives, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Jamaal Bowman of New York, have voted “present”.
Congressman Greg Pence, the brother of former Vice-President Mike Pence, explained why he voted against the bill to form a bipartisan commission to study the January 6 insurrection.
“I think the whole thing is to spend the summer impeaching, again, Donald Trump. That’s all we’re doing. It’s a dog-and-pony show. ... It’s another impeachment,” the Republican congressman told HuffPost.
During the insurrection, rioters, who were frustrated with the vice-president’s adherence to the Constitution as lawmakers certified Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election, shouted, “Hang Mike Pence!”
Shortly after the insurrection occurred, Pence described his brother as a “hero” for overseeing the certification of the election.
Senate will act on January 6 commission bill 'very soon,' Schumer says
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer has put the House-passed bill to form a bipartisan commission to study the January 6 insurrection on the legislative calendar.
Schumer said the Senate will take action on the bill “very soon”.
Sen. Chuck Schumer: "Even now, five months to the day after he left office, the Republican Party is still so terrified of Donald Trump that they are apparently willing to abandon the truth and the safety of our democracy on into the future." pic.twitter.com/ObIBOmj5KK
— The Hill (@thehill) May 20, 2021
Schumer encouraged his Republican colleagues to support the commission bill, after most House Republicans voted against the proposal. The Democratic leader accused Republicans of “spinelessness” in the face of Donald Trump’s lies about fraud in the presidential election.
“Even now, five months to the day after he left office, the Republican party is still so terrified of Donald Trump that they are apparently willing to abandon the truth and the safety of our democracy on into the future,” Schumer said.
“Maybe, despite the opposition of the Republican leader - the unfortunate and sad opposition of the Republican leader - enough of my Republican colleagues will step up and join with Democrats to establish the commission. They will get a chance to do so very soon.”
If Schumer brings the bill to the floor and Republicans block it, it could become the first official Senate filibuster of this Congress.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi defended her refusal to alter the mask requirement for members, even though the CDC has said fully vaccinated individuals can go without masks in most settings.
The Democratic speaker said too many House members are unvaccinated to justify relaxing the mask guidance, an argument that the attending physician of the Capitol has echoed.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi is asked about Republican calls to eliminate mask mandate on the House floor.
— The Recount (@therecount) May 20, 2021
She responds: “Until [members of Congress] are vaccinated, we cannot have meetings without masks.” pic.twitter.com/Uh8tJ9wSbx
House minority leader Kevin McCarthy introduced a resolution yesterday to allow members to go maskless on the House floor, but the measure failed.
“Until they are vaccinated, we cannot have meetings without masks,” Pelosi said. She said her unvaccinated colleagues were “selfishly an endangerment” to those around them.
Updated
Pelosi tells Republicans to 'take back your party' after January 6 commission vote
House speaker Nancy Pelosi applauded the 35 Republicans who supported the bill to form a 9/11-style commission to study the Capitol insurrection, which passed the lower chamber yesterday.
“We’re very pleased with the number of Republicans who voted for truth and justice,” the Democratic speaker said.
Pelosi says her message to her "Republican friends" is: "Take back your party. This is the Grand Old Party, the party that's done so much for our country"
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 20, 2021
She says there's "courage that needs to be recognized" by Republicans like Liz Cheney who denounced lies about the election pic.twitter.com/MSekrNxnCW
However, most House Republicans voted against the bill, and many Republican senators have already signaled they will likely oppose the legislation as well.
Asked what yesterday’s vote says about the state of the Republican party, Pelosi said she has told her friends on the other side of the aisle to “take back your party”.
She argued there is “courage that needs to be recognized” among Republicans like Liz Cheney, who has denounced Donald Trump’s lies about fraud in the presidential election.
Updated
House speaker Nancy Pelosi is now holding her weekly press conference with reporters on Capitol Hill.
The Democratic speaker opened her remarks by applauding the House for passing the anti-Asian American hate crimes bill on Tuesday.
The bill will establish a point person at the department of justice to expedite the review of coronavirus-related hate crimes against members of the AAPI community.
Joe Biden will sign the bill later today. In a tweet this morning, the president said, “Hate has no place in America – and I look forward to making that clear this afternoon by signing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law.”
Hate has no place in America – and I look forward to making that clear this afternoon by signing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law.
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 20, 2021
The House is currently debating a bill to invest $1.9 billion in bolstering Capitol security.
The bill is a direct response to the January 6 insurrection, when rioters were able to gain access to the Capitol as lawmakers certified Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential race.
The vote on the security proposal comes one day after the House passed a bill to form a bipartisan commission to study the Capitol insurrection.
Most House Republicans voted against that bill, and they are also expected to largely oppose the funding boost for Capitol security.
Congresswoman Kay Granger, the top Republican on the House appropriations committee, said during the floor debate, “The bill we are considering today implements permanent recommendations before ongoing security assessments are complete.”
House speaker Nancy Pelosi will soon hold her weekly press conference with reporters on Capitol Hill.
The Democratic speaker will likely be asked about yesterday’s passage of a bill to form a bipartisan commission to study the January 6 insurrection.
The bill passed with the support of every House Democrat and 35 of their Republican colleagues, but it faces major hurdles in the Senate, where minority leader Mitch McConnell has already said he will oppose it.
“It sounds like they are afraid of the truth, and that’s most unfortunate, but hopefully they’ll get used to the idea that the American people want us to find the truth,” Pelosi said yesterday.
The press conference is scheduled to begin in about 20 minutes, so stay tuned.
The Guardian’s Nina Lakhani reports:
Legislation to cancel utility debts for millions of low-income households and bail out struggling utility companies is to be introduced in the US Senate on Thursday.
Jeff Merkley, a Democratic senator from Oregon, will propose a $30bn low-interest loans program for electric, water and sewage and broadband providers as part of the Maintaining Access to Essential Services During the Covid Emergency Act of 2021.
The loans would allow utilities to recoup money in order to stay afloat without resorting to fines and shutoffs. Utilities have long justified using disconnections as a way to force people to keep up with bills.
“We cannot rebuild the strength and resilience of America from the ground up if millions of families lose electricity, water and broadband, we have to keep these essential services turned on if people are going to get back on their feet,” Merkley told the Guardian. “This is like PPE for utilities. If we can get the concept in place, we can later add more funds if needed.”
It’s unclear how much is owed to utility companies nationwide, though it is probably significantly more than the $30bn earmarked in the bill.
Senator Bernie Sanders has argued for the necessity of his resolution opposing a US sale of weapons to Israel, which he is expected to introduce today.
“I believe that the United States must help lead the way to a peaceful and prosperous future for both Israelis and Palestinians,” the progressive senator said on Twitter in response to a story about his planned resolution.
He added, “We need to take a hard look at whether the sale of these weapons is actually helping do that, or whether it is simply fueling conflict.”
I believe that the United States must help lead the way to a peaceful and prosperous future for both Israelis and Palestinians. We need to take a hard look at whether the sale of these weapons is actually helping do that, or whether it is simply fueling conflict.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) May 20, 2021
Sanders’ language mirrors that of a separate resolution he introduced yesterday, which emphasized the importance of Israeli and Palestinian lives.
“Whereas every Palestinian life matters; and whereas every Israeli life matters: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate ... urges an immediate cease-fire,” Sanders’ resolution said.
The resolution was in response to a separate measure from Republican senator Rick Scott affirming US support for Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene his security cabinet in a couple of hours to discuss a possible ceasefire in Gaza, according to a correspondent at Walla News.
BREAKING: Netanyahu to convene the security cabinet at 7PM Jerusalem time to discuss the Gaza operation and the possibility of a ceasefire
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) May 20, 2021
Biden called on Netanyahu to work toward a ceasefire yesterday, but the prime minister then said Israeli is “determined” to continue the Gaza airstrikes until their aims are met.
However, Israeli military leaders have now signaled they believe the attacks have already achieved their “goals”.
Gaza attacks ease after Biden calls for ‘significant de-escalation’
The Guardian’s Oliver Holmes and Julian Borger report:
Israel and Palestinian militants halted their fire for several hours early on Thursday as efforts to reach a truce appeared to gather momentum, a day after Joe Biden called publicly for progress towards a ceasefire.
It was not immediately clear if the eight-hour quiet – the longest since the attacks began 11 days ago – was part of an agreement or a temporary lull in the violence.
The brief calm was broken later on Thursday when air-raid sirens sounded in Israel near the Gaza frontier, and Israel’s military said a fighter jet had struck a rocket launcher.
However, previous ceasefires have been preceded by similar hours-long halts in fighting, which are seen as a trust-building measure. A Hamas official had earlier said a ceasefire was in reach, and Israeli media reports suggested the military believed its “goals” had largely been met.
Sanders to introduce resolution disapproving of arms sale to Israel – reports
Greetings from Washington, live blog readers.
Progressive senator Bernie Sanders plans to introduce a resolution today disapproving of the US selling $735 million of weapons to Israel, according to multiple reports.
The Washington Post reports:
The resolution aims to halt the planned sale to Israel by the Biden administration of JDAMs, or Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and Small Diameter Bombs, as the worst hostilities in years continue between Israel and Hamas. The resolution needs only a simple majority to pass the Senate; but if it were to be vetoed by President Joe Biden, it would need a two-thirds majority in both chambers to take effect.
Sanders told the Post: “At a moment when US-made bombs are devastating Gaza, and killing women and children, we cannot simply let another huge arms sale go through without even a congressional debate.”
The resolution comes a day after Biden called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make immediate progress toward “de-escalation” in Gaza. A ceasefire appears to be within reach after days of violence that have killed hundreds of people, most of them Palestinian.
The blog will have more details on the resolution and the potential ceasefire coming up, so stay tuned.
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