Post Politics Now: Biden orders U.S. flags at half-staff to mark country’s million coronavirus deaths – The Washington Post
Today, President Biden ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff to mark the “tragic milestone” of 1 million coronavirus deaths in the country. In a statement, Biden also nudged Congress to pass a stalled $10 billion package that would boost the availability of tests, therapeutics and vaccines nationwide. According to a Washington Post tracker, the 1 million milestone will be reached this week.
With the country facing shortages in baby formula, Biden also plans to speak with retailers and formula manufacturers about their efforts to make it more widely available.
Meanwhile, the committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol has subpoenaed five Republican members of Congress, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.). The move marks a significant escalation in the committee’s efforts to obtain information related to communications with then-President Donald Trump and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows before, during and after the attack.
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Tyler Pager: Countering China returns to Biden’s agenda — Biden is hosting a special summit this week between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, kicking off a two-week stretch of enhanced engagement with Asian leaders.Next week, Biden will head to Japan and South Korea for bilateral meetings.The president has long wanted to focus on building stronger ties in Asia as part of a strategy to counter China’s growing influence. But for much of his presidency, Biden has been occupied by other foreign policy crises, namely the withdrawal from Afghanistan and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Though Russia’s war is expected to be on the agenda, U.S. officials have said countering China and North Korea will be top priorities.
Noted: New ad for Cuellar, who voted against abortion bill, says women’s rights are ‘under attack’
A new campaign ad supporting Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Tex.), the one House Democrat known for opposing abortion rights, warned that women’s rights are “under attack by extremists” and that he has “made it clear that he opposes a ban on abortion.”
But Cuellar doesn’t have a record of defending abortion rights.
Last September, he was the only House Democrat who voted against the Women’s Health Protection Act — the bill that would have codified abortion rights into federal law that was kept from advancing in the Senate on Wednesday.
A spokesman for Cuellar did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Cuellar is in the midst of a tight reelection campaign against primary challenger Jessica Cisneros, a former attorney and abortion rights advocate. They will meet in a runoff election May 24.
Cisneros has received the backing of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). In a recent interview, Cisneros said Cuellar “could become the Joe Manchin of the House” because of his conservative views on abortion.
“The last thing we want is to hold onto a slim Democratic majority and then have someone … keep siding with Republicans,” Cisneros told “Meet The Press.”
But Democratic leadership hasn’t abandoned Cuellar. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) campaigned with him last month, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), when asked about his position on the issue Thursday, said Cuellar is “a valued member of our caucus.”
“He is not pro-choice, but we didn’t need him,” when passing the abortion rights bill, Pelosi said.
