Manchin sits with Republicans during State of the Union

Source: Yahoo! News

Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, opted to sit on the Republicans' side of the House chamber during President Biden's first State of the Union address.

While Americans decry what is happening in Ukraine, the United States continues to allow the import of more than half a million barrels per day of crude oil and other petroleum products from Russia during this time of war," Manchin said this week.

Manchin also reportedly did not stand with his fellow Democrats when the president spoke about an expanded child tax credit, a policy over which the senator has expressed serious qualms.

The details: Manchin was seen sitting between Sens. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). He was the only Democrat seen sitting with Republicans.

Read more: https://news.yahoo.com/manchin-sits-republicans-during-state-031721449.html

ABC News poll from yesterday

Normally I don't pay much attention to polls, but it's really bad. Biden's approval is 37%. Republicans leading Democrats for control of the House 49-42%. I don't think we should ignore this. Instead, I'll work to change it by donating to candidates that have the best chance of beating Republicans.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/economic-concerns-hurt-bidens-approval-democrats-peril-ahead/story?id=83128327

NYC plans to lift one of its indoor vaccine mandates, but Kyrie Irving still won't be able to play h

Source: CNN

NYC plans to lift one of its indoor vaccine mandates, but Kyrie Irving still won't be able to play home games

(CNN)New York City plans to soon lift one of its Covid-19 vaccine requirements for indoor activities, but Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving, who is unvaccinated, still won't be able to play home games due to the city's workplace vaccine mandate, a city official confirmed to CNN.

On Sunday, New York Mayor Eric Adams announced that provided the city's Covid-19 numbers continue to go down, he plans to lift the city's requirement to show proof of vaccination for indoor activities such as dining, attending gyms and entertainment facilities for those ages 5 and older starting March 7.

The move was part of a general relaxing of Covid restrictions as the Omicron wave of cases has sharply receded over the past month. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Sunday students will no longer be required to wear masks in schools, and Adams said he plans to remove the school mask mandate next week.

However, the city still has a mandate requiring all workers who perform in-person work or interact with the public to show proof they have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/28/us/nyc-vaccine-mandate-kyrie-irving/index.html

Is Ukraine firing any missiles into military and other strategic targets in Russia?

I have not read about any missiles entering Russia as retaliation. If not, why?

Boris Yeltsin was by far the best leader that Russia has ever had

That might not be saying much, but can anyone argue that (without going back centuries)?

Bob Beckel dies at 73

Source: The Hill

Longtime cable news pundit and political analyst Bob Beckel died on Monday.

He was 73.

New of Beckel's passing was first shared by longtime friend and columnist Cal Thomas, and Fox News host Sean Hannity memorialized Beckel on his show Monday evening.

"He was always full of joy, happiness, light, sunshine. He loved God and Jesus and we miss him already. God bless you, God speed, Bob Beckel," Hannity said.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/media/595276-bob-beckel-dies-at-73

So when are the first Senate primaries?

I know it's only February, but I love watching Senate (and to a lesser extent, House and Governor) primaries. Sorry if I sound like I'm rushing things, but I love politics haha.

Manchin wants Sinema to take a fresh look at tax rate hikes on corporations and the rich, but she's

Source: Business Insider

Manchin wants Sinema to take a fresh look at tax rate hikes on corporations and the rich, but she's not budging

Sen. Joe Manchin is starting to turn up the heat on another Democratic holdout with competing demands on President Joe Biden's spending bill.

The conservative West Virginia Democrat has ramped up calls this month to step up taxes on the richest Americans and large firms. But he's likely to encounter resistance from Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who shut the door on hiking tax rates on both of those groups last fall.

"I respect her and what her concerns may be, but I think basically our financial situation is getting worse, not better, so maybe we can take another look at it," Manchin told The Wall Street Journal. "I would hope so."

"Why can't we just get a good solid tax plan that works? That's the first thing to do." he told the Journal.

Read more: https://www.businessinsider.com/manchin-sinema-to-budge-tax-rate-hikes-corporations-rich-2022-2

This is the single most Republican-friendly state in the country

Joe Manchin and Marco Rubio teamed up on a bill to block government funds from being used to give ou

Source: Business Insider

Joe Manchin and Marco Rubio teamed up on a bill to block government funds from being used to give out crack pipes

Sens. Joe Manchin and Marco Rubio introduced a bipartisan bill on Friday that would block federal funds from being used to buy and distribute tools used to take drugs, like crack pipes and syringes.

The Preventing Illicit Paraphernalia for Exchange Systems Act, or PIPES Act, was announced by Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, and Rubio, a Republican from Florida, in a press release.

"Every American and West Virginian has been impacted by the drug epidemic that has killed over 101,000 Americans from April 2020 to April 2021," Manchin said. "While this is a heartbreaking issue that must be fully addressed by the federal government, using taxpayer funds to buy paraphernalia for those struggling with substance use disorder is not the solution."

"Everyone knows someone who has struggled with addiction, and unfortunately, many have lost a loved one from the disease," Rubio said, adding: "We need to do more, but sending drug paraphernalia to addicts is not the answer."

Read more: https://www.businessinsider.com/manchin-rubio-bill-to-block-government-from-buying-crack-pipes-2022-2