EU Chip Industry Faces Growing Risks From China Export Controls and U.S. Technology Dependence: Report 
Moody’s Says Peru’s President-Elect Keiko Fujimori Could Boost Investor Confidence 
France Battles Mediterranean Wildfires as Heatwave Fuels Fire Risk 
NRC Proposes Radiation Rule Changes to Boost U.S. Nuclear Power Expansion Under Trump 
JD Vance Says Britain Needs Major Political Change as Leadership Transition Looms 
Kim Jong Un Oversees North Korea Destroyer Missile Tests, Orders Rapid Naval Deployment 
Trump Accounts Now Accept Stock Donations as Treasury Launches New Child Investment Program 
Venezuela Interim President Defends Earthquake Response as Death Toll Climbs 
US Ambassador Prioritizes Cook Islands Critical Minerals, Warns of China’s Pacific Influence 
Air Force Investigates Officer After Capitol Protest Calling for Trump, Vance Impeachment 
US Resumes Dollar Shipments to Iraq After Months-Long Suspension 
Russia Claims Capture of Kostiantynivka as Putin Pushes Donetsk Offensive 
Amy Coney Barrett Faces Conservative Backlash After Key Supreme Court Rulings Against Trump 
Russian Attacks Kill Three in Eastern Ukraine as Civilian Casualties Mount 
OpenAI Proposes 5% U.S. Government Stake Amid AI Policy Talks 
US Appeals Court Limits ICE Detention Without Bond Hearings After 90 Days 
South Korea Warns Won Is Undervalued, Boosts FX Coordination With Japan 
President Joe Biden’s Cabinet has yet to be completed as the Senate moves to confirm his nominees at this time. Several of Biden’s nominations are currently facing heavy opposition from the Republicans in the upper chamber, leading Senate Democrats to utilize their majority powers to advance the nominations.
The Senate voted to advance Biden’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to the floor Thursday. Democratic lawmakers moved past GOP support with a new procedure to avoid a gridlock as the Senate is now evenly divided among both parties. When it came to Becerra, the Senate Finance Committee was split on advancing Becerra’s nomination at 14 votes for both sides.
However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer forced a vote to discharge Becerra’s nomination with a 51-48 vote. The vote would clear the way for floor debate that would lead to his confirmation. Speaking ahead of the vote, Schumer expressed concern that none of their Republican counterparts would vote to support Becerra.
“I’m perplexed that none of my Republican colleagues would vote for him. He’s a capable man. He’s worked hard to make sure people get healthcare,” said the majority leader. During the vote to advance, Susan Collins was the only Republican Senator that voted for Becerra. This would be another step towards filling the top position at the department that would play a central role in the Biden administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to his nomination to become the HHS Secretary, Becerra currently serves as California’s attorney general and was previously a congressman for the state. During his time as the state’s AG, Becerra specialized in blocking Trump administration actions.
With Becerra’s nomination advanced for a full Senate vote, a few more confirmations to Biden’s cabinet were made this week. Ohio Congresswoman Marcia Fudge was confirmed to become Biden’s Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Michael Regan to become the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Merrick Garland as the new Attorney General of the Justice Department. All three received bipartisan support from the Senate.
Both Fudge and Regan are making history as the first Black woman and man to run both government agencies respectively. Prior to her confirmation, Fudge cast her last vote as a congresswoman in favor of Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill.
