Costa Rica Receives First Wave of U.S.-Deported Migrants Under New Bilateral Agreement 
Chinese Brands Are Taking Over Brazil — And It's Just Getting Started 
BCA Research Warns U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Could Collapse, Maintains Cautious Equity Outlook 
U.S.-Iran Peace Talks in Islamabad Pause With Key Differences Unresolved 
U.S. Blockade of Strait of Hormuz Sends Oil Tankers Into Retreat 
South Korea and Poland Forge Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Centered on Defence 
Trump Dismisses Iran Talks, Orders Strait of Hormuz Blockade 
U.S. Blockades Strait of Hormuz After Iran Nuclear Talks Collapse 
U.S., Australia, and Philippines Conduct Joint South China Sea Military Drills Amid Rising Tensions With China 
U.S. Blockades Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Iran Tensions 
Czech and Slovak Leaders Rally Behind Hungary's Orban Ahead of Critical Election 
Peru Presidential Election 2025: Lopez Aliaga Leads Early Results 
Viktor Orban Loses Power After 16 Years as Hungary's Tisza Party Claims Landslide Election Victory 
Poll: Israelis Split on Iran Ceasefire as Netanyahu's Approval Declines 
Islamabad at a Standstill as U.S.-Iran Peace Talks Take Center Stage 
U.S. Blockade of Iran Begins as Nuclear Talks Collapse in Islamabad 
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.
