2021-01-13 14:48:17
{widget1}
Plans for impeachment get an unexpected boost – from the Republicans – but for now, Pence is behind Trump. It's Wednesday and this is your political tip sheet. Register here to get On Politics to your inbox every weekday.
Trump yesterday toured areas where a border wall is being built near Alamo, Texas.
Bernie Sanders will lead the "reconciliation process" in a divided Senate.
An under-the-radar story in Washington is that Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia has just become the most powerful man in town. With the Senate split 50-50 and Democrats in control, their most conservative member may be in the position of playing Solomon on major legislative issues.
But a strongly divided Senate also points to the importance of another figure: Senator Bernie Sanders. That is because, as chairman of the committee of the chamber, he is the process of & # 39; reconciliation & # 39; controls, where certain types of laws can be passed by simple majority and cannot be filed.
As the incoming head of the Committee on Budgets, Sanders will be able to exert a great deal of influence over many domestic policies. High on that list will pass another economic recovery package, and Sanders has expressed his intention to seek another $ 1,400 in stimulus payments for Americans who recently received $ 600 federal checks.
"I believe the crisis is extremely serious and we need to act as soon as possible," said Sanders Alan Rappeport and Jim Tankersley for a new article.
& # 39; Underline the word aggressive, & # 39; he said. "Start there."
In a polarized political age, the reconciliation process has become increasingly popular in passing important legislation. Congress used it to pass tax cuts under Trump and President George W. Bush, and to pass the final version of President Barack Obama's health bill.
Joe Biden welcomed Sanders' input when he formed his platform ahead of the general election, but he ultimately did not offer the senator a place in his cabinet, as many on the left had urged him to do.
Biden said last week that he had considered Sanders as labor secretary but decided to keep him in the Senate so the Democrats could be sure they would keep their majority.
On Politics is also available as a newsletter. Register here to get it to your inbox.
Is there anything you think we're missing? Do you want to see something more? We would love to hear from you. Email us [email protected].
{widget2}
