The Hill Articles: July 29, 2021

First lady leaves Walter Reed after foot procedure Enough ice melted in Greenland in single day to cover Florida in two inches of water Biden backs effort to include immigration in budget package Former longtime Sen. Carl Levin dies at 87 Britney Spears’ doctors support star’s bid to remove her father from conservatorship: report Masks should be worn in 70 percent of US counties: CDC MyPillow CEO to pull ads from Fox News Former CIA officer who allegedly spied for China claims memory issues Haaland, Native American leaders press for Indigenous land protections Pentagon says it will start talks on making COVID-19 vaccine mandatory Former NYC council member sentenced to 3 months for tax evasion Arkansas governor to ask state legislature to allow masks in schools Texas governor threatens to fine local officials who enforce new mask mandates Georgia Gov. Kemp says FDA needs to upgrade its authorization for vaccines Capitol riot defendants have started a jail newsletter: report Garland floats legal action over Abbott immigration order Columbus officials praise pilot program that uses social workers instead of police for drug, mental health emergencies Overnight Defense: Watchdog blasts government’s handling of Afghanistan conflict | Biden asks Pentagon to look into mandatory vaccines | Congress passes new Capitol security bill Gaetz, Greene and Gohmert turned away from jail to visit Jan. 6 defendants White House official discusses environmental justice efforts On The Money: Biden asks Congress to extend eviction ban with days until expiration | Economic growth rose to 6.5 percent annual rate in second quarter Judge orders Arkansas to resume pandemic unemployment benefits Top Democrat: ‘A lot of spin’ coming from White House on infrastructure Investing in rural students and colleges essential to America’s economic recovery Overnight Energy: House passes Interior, EPA, Energy budget package | Study suggests US undercounts costs of climate deaths | Automakers to reportedly join Biden in 40 percent electric vehicle pledge Overnight Health Care: Biden tells federal workers to get vaccinated or submit to testing | President calls on states to offer $100 vaccine incentives | DC brings back indoor mask mandate starting Saturday Navy charges sailor with starting days-long fire that destroyed USS Bonhomme Richard Hillicon Valley: Poll finds Americans eager to regulate Big Tech | Protesters heap pressure onto ShotSpotter | Twitter debuts shopping feature COVID-19 news is confusing — but vaccination is still the answer What America’s Thinking: July 29, 2021 Judge dismisses one sexual assault charge against Weinstein ‘Arthur,’ the longest running children’s animated series, will end on its 25 season The Hill’s Sustainability Report — Presented by NextEra Energy — Sustainability-themed Olympics may trash 13,000 air conditioners Blinken urges Tunisian president to return country to ‘democratic path as quickly as possible’ Podcast host Katie Halper: ‘Economic issues are racial justice issues’ Biden calls for $100 payments for Americans to get vaccinated Advocacy group demands medical care for jailed journalist in Belarus Some Americans are getting vaccinated secretly because they fear backlash NOAA scientists find real-life SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star in Atlantic Ocean Biden says he’d like to see governments, businesses move toward vaccine mandates Transit advocates want more from bipartisan infrastructure bill Simone Biles, Vince Lombardi and the courage to walk away Steven Donziger, human rights attorney, discusses being found guilty of contempt. Jackson Lee is third CBC member in three weeks to be arrested protesting for voting rights Biden: ‘Every school should be open’ in the fall Watchdog warns US will repeat mistakes of Afghanistan De Blasio supports restaurant owner’s New York vaccine mandate Activists demand Chicago end ShotSpotter contract Bill would honor Ginsburg, O’Connor with statues at Capitol House GOP stages mask mandate protest Constitutional rights are the exception Technology can speed permitting and reduce conflicts over new infrastructure Poll: 60 percent say child tax credits are too expensive and not needed anymore Huge boosts to clean energy in new infrastructure deal COVID-19 could accelerate Alzheimer’s-like symptoms: study Simone Biles’s sponsors laud ‘brave’ decision to withdraw from Olympic final Top health expert says ‘it’s time to compel people to do the right thing’ on vaccinations Climate change wrecks two US lakes Dozens of Afghan civilians killed by flooding in Taliban-enforced areas Bipartisan policies put America back into the 5G race against China Scarlett Johansson suing Disney over ‘Black Widow’ House clears $2.1 billion Capitol security bill, sending to Biden Most US counties now have ‘substantial,’ ‘high’ COVID-19 transmission rates: CDC ‘The Little Prince’ has profound lessons for our time. Why don’t we listen? Jill Biden undergoing procedure to remove object from her foot Meghan McCain to produce ‘Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff’ Lifetime movie starring Heather Locklear Biden tells federal workers: Get vaccinated or submit to testing Top Biden adviser: Passing infrastructure deal is ‘urgent national security imperative’ Biden asks Pentagon to examine ‘how and when’ to mandate COVID-19 vaccine for troops An August ultimatum: No recess until redistricting reform is done Interior Department to review proposal for first wind power project off North Carolina coast Study puts a price on climate-driven death Watch live: Biden gives remarks on COVID-19 vaccination efforts CNN’s Cuomo tells restaurant owner: ‘You sound like an idiot’ for denying service to vaccinated customers House members will huddle Friday to plot next steps on Jan. 6 probe Tesla reports over $800M in energy business revenue in second quarter Senate’s proposed clean energy standard is a major win for health Marilyn Manson files to dismiss sexual assault lawsuit from former ‘Game of Thrones’ actor Scarlett Johansson sues Disney over simultaneous streaming release of ‘Black Widow’ House passes sprawling spending bill ahead of fall shutdown fight New Jersey public utility board moves to double solar power in next 5 years Biden calls on states to offer $100 vaccine incentives Woman charged after she approached grizzly bear in Yellowstone with her phone What you need to know about the lambda coronavirus variant Were the 2020 election polls really so wretched? Advocates warn failure to address immigration will result in ‘widespread losses for Democrats’ Menendez: Democratic package best chance for immigration reform Special Forces soldier drowns during training in Key West American Samoa Teacher of the Year says she faced racial discrimination at Alabama airport Good jobs — the unfinished work of environmental justice Senate passes $2.1 billion Capitol security bill Mask sales rise 24 percent after weeks of decline Former Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon passes on Senate campaign DC Mayor’s new mask mandate sparks immediate backlash Google fined for violating Russian data storage law GOP lawmakers demand answers on withheld restitution following Nassar revelation Israel prepares to give some citizens a third vaccination shot Missouri doctor says patients getting vaccinated in secret due to backlash Ex-Cardinal McCarrick charged with sexual assault of teen Baby born with twin inside her stomach in extremely rare pregnancy DOJ launches task force to address violent threats against election workers Berkeley to serve vegan meals at jails, public buildings Titans quarterback says NFL is going to make unvaccinated players’ lives ‘miserable’ Ireland considering COVID-19 booster shots as early as fall: reports Why a small town in Kansas still represents hope for Black Americans Lawmakers form bipartisan Uyghur Caucus to highlight abuses 4 in 10 say Biden spending plans should be passed without changes: poll After police rip Trump for Jan. 6, McCarthy again blames Pelosi DC brings back indoor mask mandate starting Saturday America’s specialty care providers need a reprieve from payment cuts Judge finds probable cause to charge Wisconsin police officer with homicide in 2016 shooting Democrats say they have the votes to advance $3.5T budget measure As Delta variant spreads, Americans wonder about vaccine booster Witnesses distracted by movie star in ‘mind-boggling’ jewel heist Sunisa Lee becomes the first Hmong American to win a gold medal The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Facebook – US gymnast wins all-around gold as Simone Biles cheers from the stands AstraZeneca to seek US approval for COVID-19 vaccine by second half of 2021 US planning to target Iran drone, guided missile programs with sanctions: report Automakers to join Biden in 40 percent electric vehicle pledge: report Wildfires are decimating the West and choking the East — it’s time for solutions German Olympian defends coach who slapped her before match Deaf consumers demand equality in telephone access as our nation celebrates the ADA’s anniversary Simone Biles attacked by some even as she’s defended by others Watchdog urges Justice to probe Trump, Meadows for attempting to ‘weaponize’ DOJ College football move rocks Texas legislature Capitol Police asked to arrest the maskless 228 Republican lawmakers urge Supreme Court to overrule Roe v. Wade Launch your coding career with incredible savings on these training packages Watch live: White House press briefing Millennial momentum means trouble for the GOP Electric truck firm’s founder charged with lying to investors Violent protests erupt after false accusations of trans people exposing themselves to kids Pending home sales drop in June Taliban claim responsibility for Afghan comic’s death How did the COVID-19 pandemic begin? Mexico says security initiative with US doesn’t work, is ‘dead’ New Senate bill would hurt charities and those they serve German coach sent home from Olympics after racist comments Booster shots recommended for elderly in Israel Rising crime issues will make Democrats a lot less safe in 2022 Survey: 85 percent of flight attendants dealt with unruly passengers AstraZeneca CEO: ‘Not clear yet’ if boosters are needed Twitter testing shopping feature 8.2 magnitude earthquake rocks Alaska — the strongest quake to hit the US in 50 years New Jersey offering free nurse visits after births Jordan acknowledges talking to Trump on Jan. 6 Biden calls on Congress to extend eviction ban with days until expiration Emergent: FDA approved troubled facility to resume vaccine production Disney requiring masks for park guests A dozen GOP governors urge Supreme Court to let states regulate abortion Biden’s Cuba problem: Obama made a bet and lost Rising: July 29, 2021 In shocking news, US has highest number of new cases in the world Pennsylvania Republican: Election audit happening without ‘credible evidence of fraud’ St. Louis official says he was targeted with racist slurs over mask promotion CNN’s Berman asks: ‘If unvaccinated’ not to blame for delta surge, ‘who is?’ US gymnast Suni Lee wins gold medal in women’s all-around Dee Snider tests COVID-19 positive in breakthrough infection Sports are a refuge for children — let’s ensure their safety from abuse Watch live: GOP House leaders hold press conference Florida county to require masks in schools, defying DeSantis Republican Texas deputy attorney general deletes Simone Biles tweet, apologizes after boss comes to her defense US Olympic pole vaulter tests COVID-19 positive Texas governor restricts transportation of migrants who ‘pose a risk of carrying COVID-19’ into communities Trump blows fuse over GOP moving forward on infrastructure deal Clintons, Stacey Abrams meeting Texas Democrats Watch live: Texas state Democrats testify before House panel on voting rights FDA extends Johnson & Johnson vaccine shelf life Initial unemployment claims fall by 24,000 Enhance your audio experience with limited-time savings on a variety of wireless earbuds Big Tech’s approval rating underwater: poll Protest repression and the new public/private Federalism Satisfaction with treatment of Asian people in US falls sharply: Gallup Magnitude 8.2 earthquake hits Alaska Peninsula Arizona election audit contractor raises $5.7M in private donations Economic growth rose to 6.5 percent annual rate in second quarter Congress must act on giving a pathway to citizenship for Temporary Protected Status recipients Netflix requiring US casts, crews to be vaccinated California recommends masks indoors after ‘sharp increase’ in COVID-19 cases DeSantis’s reelection campaign will be brutal — and he could lose GOP senator credits Sinema for infrastructure deal Harris outlines strategy to fight root causes of migration The flawed case against noncompetes Break glass in case of emergency — but not for climate change The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – A huge win for Biden, centrist senators House at war over Jan. 6 inquiry, mask mandate Virginia Democrats seek to tie Youngkin to Trump’s election claims ‘Blue wave’ Democrats eye comebacks after losing reelection Democrats consider scaling back new funds to fight next pandemic ‘Good Trouble’: Black caucus embraces civil disobedience Harris’s bad polls trigger Democratic worries