Wang Yi to Lead UN Security Council Meeting and Visit Canada Amid Improving China-Canada Relations 
China Coal Mine Explosion Death Toll Revised to 82 in Shanxi 
Iran Pushes Nationalist Propaganda as Economic Crisis and War Deepen 
Trump-Lai Call Remains Uncertain as U.S.-China Tensions Over Taiwan Intensify 
Greenland Protesters Rally Against Expanded U.S. Consulate Amid Trump Arctic Ambitions 
DHS Threatens to Halt International Airport Processing in Sanctuary Cities 
Russia Launches Massive Missile and Drone Strike on Kyiv Amid Oreshnik Threat 
Xi Jinping Orders Full Rescue After Shanxi Coal Mine Gas Explosion Kills Eight 
House Republicans Delay Vote on Iran War Powers Resolution Amid Growing Congressional Debate 
Trump Announces 5,000 Additional U.S. Troops to Poland Following Nawrocki Election Victory 
Marco Rubio Visits India to Rebuild U.S.-India Ties Amid Trade and Geopolitical Tensions 
Rubio Says NATO Must Benefit All Members Ahead of Sweden Meeting 
U.S. Military Drill Over Caracas Raises Tensions in Venezuela 
Trump Says Iran Peace Deal Could Reopen Strait of Hormuz as Nuclear Talks Advance 
Iran-U.S. Talks Continue as Strait of Hormuz and Uranium Dispute Stall Peace Efforts 
US Approves $108 Million Hawk Missile System Support Package for Ukraine 
NIH Infectious Disease Leadership Shake-Up Raises Concerns Amid Ebola, Hantavirus Outbreaks 
A point of contention among Democrats in the social spending bill is the price tag as well as how the legislation would be funded. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says that the party-led legislation would be paid for by imposing a “billionaire’s tax” on the country’s wealthiest.
Over the weekend, Pelosi appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” where she explained more about the social spending bill that is still being negotiated amongst members of her party. Pelosi said that she expects the House to pass the bipartisan infrastructure plan by the end of the week along with alternatives to corporate tax hikes and that a “billionaire’s tax” would be used to fund the social spending bill.
The House Speaker explained that international taxes, a wealth tax, and a bolstered IRS tax enforcement may be part of the final proposal. This comes as corporate tax hikes have been opposed by Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema. Sinema has pushed for minimum taxes on corporations and taxing the assets of billionaires.
“We will probably have a wealth tax,” said Pelosi. “But again, it’s only 10 percent of what we -you need.”
Passing both bills by the end of the week proves to be crucial as the social spending bill includes provisions to address climate change, as Joe Biden travels to Europe this week to attend the G20 conference and the climate summits at the end of the month. West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin is the only one opposed to the climate provisions in the bill. Sinema and Manchin’s support is important for the bill to pass the evenly divided Senate through reconciliation without the need for Republican votes.
As of now, Biden and other Democratic leaders appear to be looking toward an agreement with a price tag of $1.75 trillion from the original proposal of $3.5 trillion. Manchin has reportedly told Democratic leaders that he has agreed to a $1.75 trillion topline from his previous suggestion of $1.5 trillion according to CNN. However, people familiar with the matter said that Manchin has yet to explicitly signal his agreement to the proposal.
