Government fights another shutdown
The clock is ticking for Congress as they enter negotiations to avoid another government shutdown.
Democrats Nita Lowey of New York and Patrick Leahy of Vermont met with Republicans Kay Granger of Texas and Richard Shelby of Alabama on Feb. 11 to try and reach a deal before their deadline of Feb. 15.
Despite the meetings, talks have stalled due to a disagreement over the amount of money to give the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for beds at detention centers. During the last round of negotiations in January, the White House had requested $4.2 billion for 52,000 beds and Democrats want a cap of 16, 500 beds.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell believes that the Democrats’ demand is uncalled for.
“House Democrats decided to add a poison-pill demand into the conversations at the 11th hour. It’s a new demand. It’s extreme: A hard, statutory cap on the number of illegal immigrants who could be detained by the federal government,’ McConnell said.
Democrats argue that regulating the number of beds ICE receives will force ICE to only deport criminals and those who pose “real security threats” rather than “law-abiding immigrants,” according to Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard.
If the government isn’t able to avoid another shutdown, the head of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, Sara Nelson, said that her members might stop working and called for demonstrations at the country’s major airports.
Ilhan Omar apologizes
Another Democrat is in hot water.
Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota apologized on Feb. 11 after tweeting what many perceived as Anti-Semitic remarks.
Omar tweeted on “It’s all about the Benjamins, baby,” in response to a tweet by journalist Glenn Greenwald. In the tweet, Greenwald had accused House Republican leader, Kevin McCarthy, of targeting Omar and Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
Both Omar and Tlaib have been critical of Israel. Another journalist, Batya Ungar-Sargon, responded to Omar’s tweet and asked Omar if she thought Israel is paying American politicians to be pro-Israel, to which Omar responded that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) does. AIPAC is a lobbying group that advocates for pro-Israel policies to legislative and the executive branch of the U.S. government.
Following condemnation from Republicans and Democrats including Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, Omar has apologized via a statement on Twitter.
Ariana Grande reacts to Cardi B win
Cardi B won big at the Grammys on Feb. 10, bringing home the award for Best Rap Album.
Mac Miller, who died five months ago from an accidental overdose, was also nominated for Best Rap Album. Ariana Grande, who used to date Miller, expressed her disappointment in a series of tweets.
Grande later clarified that her comments had nothing to do with Cardi B. Cardi B also posted a video saying that she was sharing her award with Miller.
All of Grande’s tweets have since been deleted.
