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–> A midday take on what’s happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*
*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha–breaks down crying hysterically.
The Hill’s 12:30 Report: U.S. nears vaccine demand tipping point | What next | CDC panel meets to discuss J&J next steps | SpaceX sends four astronauts to space | Watch the launch | Caitlyn Jenner to announce Calif. governor bid | Dems divided on infrastructure strategy | Dog crashes track meet
LATEST WITH THE CORONAVIRUS
Just think of all the sad, unused, unloved vaccine doses! … *Cue Sarah McLachlan for an emotional PSA* — help them find a home:
The U.S. is quickly approaching a point in the vaccination process where supply will exceed demand. https://bit.ly/3gGf3Oa
What that will mean: “State and federal officials are going to need to find the best message and best method to get shots to the people who are either hesitant, unable or just indifferent. Doing so will require a change in tactics, likely in how vaccines are distributed to states and how states allocate their doses to get the shots into as many people as possible.”
When we could hit that tipping point: Possibly in 2-4 weeks, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis
^ We’re already seeing it in some states: “In Mississippi, for example, only about 22 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated, and in Alabama the number is around 20 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
What happens when we hit the tipping point: https://bit.ly/3gGf3Oa
CASE NUMBERS:
Coronavirus cases in the U.S.: 31,931,027
U.S. death toll: 570,357
Breakdown of the numbers: https://cnn.it/2UAgW3y
VACCINATION NUMBERS:
Total number of vaccinations administered in the U.S.: 219 million shots have been given.
Seven-day average of doses administered: An average of 2.95 million doses
For context: The U.S. population is roughly 331 million.
Breakdown of the numbers: https://bloom.bg/3iVTPLH
Happy Friday! I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to [email protected] — and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.
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It’s time to update internet regulations
The internet has changed a lot in the 25 years since lawmakers last passed comprehensive internet regulations. It’s time for an update.
See how we’re making progress on key issues and why we support updated regulations to set clear rules for addressing today’s toughest challenges.
NEWS THIS MORNING
To the space station and beyond!:
SpaceX successfully sent four astronauts to space this morning. https://cnn.it/3dKxBLp
When was the launch: 5:49 a.m. EDT
When will the crew arrive at the international space station: Tomorrow at 5:10 a.m. EDT
How long the crew will be in space: Six months
Video of the launch:
Watch: https://bit.ly/3dL8rMY
And here’s video of the crew making it to space: This is pretty cool. https://bit.ly/3niVgpp
Today in Kardashian-adjacent news (I’m sorry, but I have to. It’s campaign-related.):
Via Axios’s Lachlan Markay, Alayna Treene and Jonathan Swan, former Olympian and reality television star Caitlyn Jenner is officially running for governor of California. https://bit.ly/32GGS0N
Has she announced it?: Yes, her campaign made the announcement this morning.
From Jenner’s campaign website: “For the past decade, we have seen the glimmer of the Golden State reduced by one-party rule that places politics over progress and special interests over people. Sacramento needs an honest leader with a clear vision.” See her full campaign site: https://bit.ly/3tLBk15
TIDBIT — JENNER HASN’T BEEN THE MOST FREQUENT VOTER:
Via Politico’s Carla Marinucci, “Los Angeles County records show [Jenner] did not cast ballots in nearly two-thirds of the elections in which she was eligible to vote since 2000. The full story: https://politi.co/2QVb5GD
HAPPENING TODAY
J&J’s metaphorical court date:
Via The Washington Post’s Lena H. Sun, “A federal vaccine advisory committee is reconvening Friday to discuss next steps for Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine after health officials recommended last week that states pause use while six U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot were reviewed.” https://wapo.st/3dHvR5M
A pretty likely outcome — use it but with a warning: “Federal health authorities are leaning toward recommending that use of the vaccine resume, possibly as soon as this weekend — a move that would include a new warning about a rare complication involving blood clots but probably not call for age restrictions.”
What we know: https://wapo.st/3dHvR5M
IN CONGRESS
Everyone wants something different. Surprise, surprise:
Via The Hill’s Alexander Bolton, “Democrats are divided over a $568 billion infrastructure counteroffer unveiled Thursday by Senate Republicans.” https://bit.ly/3vkN37b
How so: “Some [are] calling it a good starting point for bipartisan talks and others dismissing it as ‘a slap in the face’ and ‘totally inadequate.’”
Why Dems are divided — go big or pass something with Republican support: “The rift boils down to a difference over strategy revolving around the importance of winning a bipartisan deal and the risk it could leave certain Democratic priorities on the cutting-room floor.”
How this could play out: https://bit.ly/3vkN37b
MEANWHILE — TENSIONS ARE RISING AS DEMS’ PRIORITIES ARE PILING UP:
How this could play out, via The Hill’s Jordain Carney: https://bit.ly/2QubH6r
Facebook supports updated internet regulations
It’s been 25 years since comprehensive internet regulations passed. But a lot has changed since 1996.
See how we’re taking action and why we support updated regulations to address today’s challenges — protecting privacy, fighting misinformation, reforming Section 230, and more.
NOTABLE TWEETS:
This is pretty wild:
Watch: https://bit.ly/3xmQImv
They’re … coming:
Hyperlink https://bit.ly/32J8x0Y
ON TAP:
The House and Senate are out. President Biden
Joe BidenBiden announces picks to lead oceans, lands agencies Overnight Defense: Top general concerned about Afghan forces after US troops leave | Pentagon chief: Climate crisis ‘existential’ threat to US national security | Army conducts review after 4 Black soldiers harassed at Virginia IHOP Feds expect to charge scores more in connection to Capitol riot MORE is in Washington, D.C. Vice President Harris is in New Hampshire today.
9:25 a.m. EDT: Vice President Harris left for New Hampshire.
11 a.m. EDT: President Biden received the President’s Daily Brief.
11:55 a.m. EDT: Vice President Harris held a listening session in Plymouth, N.H., on the infrastructure plan.
1:45 p.m. EDT: President Biden receives his weekly economic briefing.
2 p.m. EDT: Vice President Harris tours IBEW Local 490 in Concord, N.H.
2:45 p.m. EDT: President Biden participates in a virtual U.S. Department of Defense Senior Leaders Conference in the Situation Room.
4:45 p.m. EDT: Vice President Harris returns to Washington, D.C.
WHAT TO WATCH:
9:15 a.m. EDT: President Biden delivers remarks at the virtual Leaders’ Summit on Climate. Livestream: https://bit.ly/3tLSQCe
11 a.m. EDT: The White House COVID Response Team held a press briefing. Livestream: https://bit.ly/2QkbIdc
11:30 a.m. EDT: White House press secretary Jen Psaki
Jen PsakiOn The Money: White House sees GOP infrastructure plan as starting point | Biden to propose capital gains tax hike Overnight Health Care: Pelosi pushes for drug pricing measure | South Africa to resume administering Johnson & Johnson vaccine | Early data indicate Pfizer, Moderna vaccines safe for pregnant women Texas, Stephen Miller sue to force deportation of children, other migrants due to pandemic MORE and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland
Deb HaalandGrijalva calls for return of public lands agency to DC after Trump moved BLM out West DC set for jam-packed Earth Day as Biden announces Paris emissions goal Haaland: Missing and murdered natives unit will have six times initial budget of DOJ task force MORE held a press briefing. Livestream: https://bit.ly/3xjpgGp
2:40 p.m. EDT: Vice President Harris delivers remarks in Concord, N.H. on the infrastructure plan. Livestream: https://bit.ly/3eubLLi
NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF…:
Today is National Cherry Cheesecake Day. And for weekend planning purposes, tomorrow is National Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day and Sunday is National Zucchini Bread Day!
Say it with me — Give this good boy or girl the medal! And treats. And belly rubs.:
Watch: https://bit.ly/3az81qZ
And to get your weekend off to the right start, here’s a dog who needs to work on its water drinking technique a little more: https://bit.ly/3xlodpi