Poli Alert Politics & Civics

Attorney General Merrick Garland canceled a Trump-era memo that limited the use of consent decrees. “This memorandum makes clear that the Department will use all appropriate legal authorities to safeguard civil rights and protect the environment, consistent with longstanding Departmental practice and informed by the expertise of the Department’s career …

Just a little over a year after the coronavirus was first identified, the world has recorded more than 3 million deaths Saturday from the disease. More than 140 million people around the world have contracted COVID-19, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The United States has the most COVID-19 …

Jon Ryan Schaffer, a founding member of the militia group Oath Keepers, is the first suspect to plead guilty to federal charges in connection with the deadly Capitol riot. Schaffer is being accused of taking over the Capitol and spraying a police officer with bear spray. He pleaded guilty to …

On Wednesday, a House panel approved legislation to create a commission to study the issue of paying reparations to the descendants of slaves. According to CBS News, this will be the first time the House Judiciary Committee has acted on the legislation. However, the decision to make the commission was …

House Democrats on Thursday passed legislation they say would close the pay gap between men and women in the workplace. The legislation passed on a mostly party-line vote of 217-210. The bill, which is supported by President Biden, faces stiff opposition in the Senate where it has little chance at getting …

Vice President Kamala Harris announced that $39 billion from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan would be released to help the child-care industry. “The strength of our country, the resilience of our economy, depends on the affordability and availability of childcare,” Vice President Harris said. “When it comes to childcare …

Hundreds of companies and CEOs have added their signatures to a letter published opposing “any discriminatory legislation or measures that restrict or prevent any eligible voter from having an equal and fair opportunity to cast a ballot.” The statement, published in a two-page ad in The New York Times and Washington …

Former Georgia state representative Vernon Jones announced Friday that he would challenge Gov. Brian Kemp for the state’s top job. “For those who feel the incumbent governor didn’t fight for you, a new day has dawned,” Jones said during his announcement. The former State House Representative and DeKalb County CEO …

Today, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D- CO.) and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) unveiled their proposal to overhaul the nation’s unemployment insurance (UI) system. “The COVID-19 pandemic has made it overwhelmingly clear that our nation’s unemployment insurance system is inadequate and unreliable for workers when they lose a job,” said …

On Thursday, Congressional Democrats introduced legislation to expand the Supreme Court from nine to 13 justices. The bill is headed by Senator Ed Markey and Representative Jerry Nadler. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters on Thursday she has “no plans to bring it to the floor.” “I don’t know that …

President Joe Biden hit Russia with sanctions and diplomatic expulsions for its cyberattack and its interference in United States elections. “We cannot allow a foreign power to interfere in our democratic process with impunity,” President Biden said. “My bottom line is this: There is an interest in the United States …

Republican Senator Mitt Romney and Democratic Senator Kyrsten Sinema are working together to establish bipartisan legislation to increase the minimum wage. “We’re negotiating a minimum wage proposal which we would ultimately take to our group of 20 and see how they would react to it and go from there,” Romney …

The U.S. Department of Justice will not charge a U.S. Capitol Police officer for shooting and killing Ashli Babbitt during the Capitol Riots on Jan 6. Babbitt, a 14-year Air Force veteran and Trump supporter, was among rioters that broke into the United States Capitol on Jan. 6. Babbitt was shot …

Rep. Kevin Brady (TX-R) announced Wednesday that he plans to retire at the end of his current term. In a statement, Brady said that he will retire after 13 terms representing Texas’ 8th District, which included a role as the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee “I …

Capitol Police Inspector General Michael Bolton’s report, “Review of the Events Surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, Takeover of the U.S. Capitol,” reveals that Capitol Hill police officers were advised three days before the attack not to use aggressive tactics against rioters. “Stop the Steal’s propensity to attract white supremacists, militia …