US Mobilizes Aid After Powerful Earthquakes Devastate Venezuela 
US Seeks Gulf Support for Iran Peace Deal Amid Regional Tensions 
Marco Rubio Reassures Gulf Allies Over U.S.-Iran Peace Deal 
White House Seeks $1.4 Billion to Combat Growing Ebola Outbreak 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Texas Approves Bible-Inclusive Reading Lists for Public Schools Starting in 2030 
U.S. Reviewing Potential F-35 Fighter Jet Sale to Turkey Amid S-400 Dispute 
US Seizes Nearly 400 Illegal World Cup Streaming Domains in Global Anti-Piracy Crackdown 
Trump Administration Rejects Claims of Rift Between JD Vance and Marco Rubio on Iran Policy 
Israel Heritage Bill Sparks Annexation Concerns in West Bank 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
US Approves $250 Million Fighter Jet Training Sale to Australia 
US Urges States and Businesses to Strengthen Taiwan Ties Amid China Pressure 
NATO Strengthens Arctic Defense as Russia Expands Military Presence 
Trump Orders DOJ Investigation Into Exxon, Chevron Over High Gas Prices 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan was passed by both the House and the Senate without votes from the Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that the Democrats in the upper chambers have another chance at passing a bill without the need for Republican support.
Schumer announced that the Senate Democrats will be able to bypass the Senate filibuster again this year. The New York lawmaker had asked the Senate Parliamentarian to rule if it was possible to “amend” a budget through the reconciliation legislation. The Parliamentarian ruled that it was possible, thus giving Democrats a chance to pass Joe Biden’s upcoming American Jobs Plan without the need for Republican support.
However, the ruling is only the first step, and the Democrats in the upper chamber have yet to use reconciliation to pass the legislation. It should be added that the Senate Parliamentarian could still rule aspects of the Jobs Plan as out of order should the Democrats decide to use reconciliation.
“The Parliamentarian has advised that a revised budget resolution may contain budget reconciliation instructions. This confirms the Leader’s interpretation of the Budget Act and allows Democrats additional tools to improve the lives of Americans if Republican obstruction continues,” said a statement from Schumer’s office.
In other related news, Schumer shared his plans for the legalization of cannabis in an interview with Politico. Following the news of New York’s legalization of the use of cannabis, Schumer revealed that the Senate would press forward with cannabis legalization, possibly with or without Biden.
When pressed what role Biden would play in the Senate’s push to legalize cannabis, Schumer revealed that Biden was open to studying the issue at hand and that he was keen on further discussing the policy with him. However, regardless of what Biden’s ultimate stance on cannabis may be, Schumer said that the Senate will still act on the legalization of cannabis.
“I want to make my arguments to him, as many other advocates will. But at some point, we’re going to have to move forward. Period” said the Senate Majority Leader, who is currently putting together a new federal marijuana reform legislation with fellow Democratic Senators Cory Booker and Ron Wyden.
