Taiwan Says U.S. Military Cooperation Is Stronger Than Many Realize 
China Defends Industrial Policy Ahead of Key U.S. and EU Trade Talks 
Trump Weighs Iran Strikes as U.S. Embassies Issue Emergency Security Alerts 
Former House Appropriations Chair Kay Granger Dies at 83 
Gulf Shipping Traffic Steady as U.S.-Iran Talks Remain Uncertain 
Andy Burnham’s Social Media Strategy Boosts Labour Against Reform UK 
Spain Installs Floating Barrier as Ceuta Migrant Crossings Halt After Deadly Surge 
Russian Border Drone Strike Kills Child in Belgorod, Injures Two Others 
Israel Strikes Gaza as Trump Ceasefire Push Faces Fresh Challenges 
US State Department Plans to Close Five Foreign Missions in Global Diplomatic Restructuring 
DOJ Rescinds Anti-Weaponization Fund Ahead of Todd Blanche Senate Confirmation Vote 
North Korea May Deploy Missile Unit to Russia as Ukraine Faces Growing Ballistic Threat 
US Signals More Joint Yen Intervention With Japan if Currency Volatility Continues 
US Continues Ukraine Patriot Missile Production Talks Despite Trump’s Concerns 
U.S., Iran, Oman Near Interim Deal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Ceasefire Efforts 
Trump Says Iran Talks to Begin as Strait of Hormuz Deal Nears, Oil Prices Fall 
US Supreme Court Lets $655.5 Million Judgment Against Palestinian Authorities Stand During Appeal 
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.
