Below is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team read this week.
Raising the minimum wage?: Democrats may attempt to use the annual budget reconciliation to increase the federal minimum wage to $15/hour by 2025. Read here.
Power Sharing Agreement: Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have reached a power-sharing agreement in the 50-50 split Senate following a feud over ending the filibuster. The filibuster will remain intact. Read more.
Impeachment Trial: Articles of impeachment passed in the House have been transmitted to the Senate. After Republicans tried to halt the trial on constitutionality grounds, the Senate will move ahead following a 55-45 vote. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) will oversee the trial, rather than SCOTUS Chief Justice Roberts. 60 votes are needed to convict the former President, which seems unlikely to happen. Analysis here.
Judge Strikes Down Deportation Moratorium: U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton of the Southern District of Texas struck down President Biden’s 100 day moratorium on deportations, finding that the Administration failed to consider options more narrow in scope and time, and failed to provide concrete justification. The moratorium will be halted for 14 days as the court continues to review the case. Story here.
US and Russia Extend Arms Treaty: Russian parliament voted to extend the New START Treaty for another five years. The treaty does not require Congressional approval in the US, and limits American and Russian nuclear arsenals. Read more.
Conspiracy Theories: The White House declined to comment after freshman Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) was accused of supporting several conspiracy theories and making threats towards Democratic leadership preceding her run for Congress. Read more.
FBI Lawyer Gets Probation: A former attorney for the FBI narrowly avoided jailtime after doctoring an email which was instrumental in the FBI receiving approval to surveil a former Trump campaign aide during the Russia investigation. Full story.