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Rep. Pramila JayapalPramila JayapalHouse Democrats push Garland for immigration court reforms Progressives rally behind Omar while accusing her critics of bias Bipartisan talks sow division among Democrats MORE (D-Wash.), the chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, says bipartisan infrastructure talks are proving to be a waste of time and urged Democratic leaders to move forward with a reconciliation bill that doesnt need Republican votes to pass.

In case it wasnt clear already, it certainly is now: Republicans are not going to do what needs to be done for working families. It would be foolish to think that Republican senators will suddenly go against [Senate Majority] Leader [Mitch] McConnells [R-Ky.] goal of dedicating 100 percent of his energy toward blocking President BidenJoe BidenJill Biden, Kate Middleton to meet this week Al Gore lobbied Biden to not scale back climate plans in infrastructure deal White House briefed on bipartisan infrastructure deal but says questions remain MOREs agenda, she said in a statement.

Jayapal urged the Senate and House to immediately begin working on budget resolutions to pass the American Jobs and Families Plan through reconciliation so we can deliver on our promises.

She issued her statement shortly after President Biden suspended his weeks-long negotiation with Sen. Shelley Moore CapitoShelley Wellons Moore CapitoAl Gore lobbied Biden to not scale back climate plans in infrastructure deal White House briefed on bipartisan infrastructure deal but says questions remain Bipartisan Senate group announces infrastructure deal MORE (R-W.Va.) on a bipartisan infrastructure package that would cost less than Bidens $2.25 trillion American Jobs Plan.

Now a group of Democratic and Republican moderates in the Senate are trying to step in and craft their own bipartisan deal, which would be in the ballpark of $880 billion, significantly less than what Biden says he wants.

And on Tuesday the House Problem Solvers Caucus proposed a $762 billion infrastructure spending plan.

But Jayapal says Congress needs to pass a far larger package than what the moderates are discussing.

President Biden has laid out a big, bold vision, and it is urgent. The next step is clear: lets do what the people are demanding. Lets go big, bold and fast, she said.

In a red flag for progressives, Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyWhite House briefed on bipartisan infrastructure deal but says questions remain On The Money: Consumer prices jumped 5 percent annually in May | GOP senators say bipartisan group has infrastructure deal Bipartisan Senate group announces infrastructure deal MORE (R-Utah) has told reporters that any bipartisan deal would not raise taxes and instead rely on increasing user fees and other strategies to raise revenue.

Sen. Jon TesterJonathan (Jon) TesterBipartisan Senate group announces infrastructure deal 'The era of bipartisanship is over': Senate hits rough patch On The Money: Bipartisan Senate group rules out tax hikes on infrastructure | New report reignites push for wealth tax MORE (Mont.), a moderate Democrat in the talks, confirmed that this is the position of Romney, but suggested a deal could be found.

I think theres ways to do that. Hopefully it wont be smoke and mirrors. Bottom line, this is probably the toughest part about this from my perspective, is how you get a pay-for, he said, referring to finding a way to offset the cost of hundreds of billions of dollars in new infrastructure spending without raising taxes.

Many Democrats, including Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee WydenSenate panel advances nominations for key Treasury positions Overnight Health Care: US to donate 500 million Pfizer doses to other countries: reports | GOP's attacks on Fauci at center of pandemic message | Federal appeals court blocks Missouri abortion ban New report reignites push for wealth tax MORE (Ore.), however, say its imperative that corporations foot a big part of the cost of infrastructure investment by paying higher taxes.

Jayapal argues the more time spent on bipartisan negotiations means the longer Congress will go without passing a significant infrastructure investment bill.

Every day that is wasted trying to get Republicans on board is another day that people cant go back to work because they dont have child care; another day without investing in millions of good, union jobs, another day that we lose further ground on the climate crisis, she said. Further delays jeopardize momentum and allow Republicans to block progress for the American people with no end in sight.

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Key progressive calls for bipartisan infrastructure talks to end | TheHill - The Hill

Attorney Steven Donziger was disbarred and rebuked by U.S. courts for a $9.5 billion shakedown of Chevron in Ecuador. But now as he faces criminal contempt charges, progressives are lionizing him as a human-rights martyr.

Readers may recall Mr. Donzigers legal and media campaign against Texaco (now merged with Chevron) for its alleged failure to clean up oil pits from its work in Ecuador during the 1970s. Chevron claimed it had cleaned up the pits, but Mr. Donziger used legal chicanery to obtain a $9.5 billion judgment in Ecuador.

Chevron fought back in U.S. court and won. Federal Judge Lewis Kaplan (a Clinton appointee) in 2014 excoriated Mr. Donziger in a 485-page ruling for engaging in judicial bribery, coercion, money-laundering, witness tampering and hiring an American consulting firm to ghostwrite an experts report, among other legal misconduct.

A Second Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld Judge Kaplans ruling. Yet Mr. Donziger defied the judges orders by selling shares in the Ecuador judgment, which he has unsuccessfully sought to enforce in foreign courts. Judge Kaplan has referred Mr. Donziger to stand trial for criminal contempt after he continued to flout court orders.

But progressives are now lobbying to get him off the hook. It is vital that attorneys working on behalf of victims of human rights violations and negative environmental impacts of corporations not become criminalized for their work, Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cori Bush, Rashida Tlaib, Jamaal Bowman, Jamie Raskin and James McGovern wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland this week.

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Progressives for Contempt of Court - WSJ

House progressives are getting fed up with efforts to accommodate Republican senators and Joe Manchin. Look for them to startdemanding swift action and threatening payback.

Why it matters: The White House is under growing pressure to accede to the left's demand to bust the filibuster. That rule effectively requires the support of 10 Republicans for most measures in this 50-50 Senate, rather than the simple majority that most Democrats want.

What we're hearing: Democrats believe they have a narrow window to change voting rules at the national level, to ensure they dont get swept out of power due to Republican structural advantages.

One of the clearest signs of this coming confrontation is a tweet this morning by Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.), a leading House progressive, who criticized Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) for announcing his opposition to a sweeping voting-rights bill passed by the House in March.

Manchin wrote in today's Charleston Gazette-Mail that he'll vote against the voting-rights bill, the For the People Act numbered H.R. 1, as a sign 0f its importance to Speaker Pelosi.

Between the lines: For a prominent Democrat to directly link Manchin to some of the most odious and racist laws in American history represents a new stage of the intra-party battle over voting rights.

One top Democrat told me: "Progressives are getting restless. I don't think they're going to revolt. I don't think there's anything to revolt to."

More here:
House progressives push Biden to go bold without Joe Manchin - Axios

Drained by a year of Zoom gatherings and virtual meetings, Democratic activists are starting to cram their calendars with in-person rallies, roundtables and other events to convince Washington leaders their priorities are popular on the ground.

In other words, the grassroots are ready to get back to the grass.

The strategizing is happening across the Democratic Partys ideological spectrum and is largely tethered to upcoming legislation, such as the pro-democracy reforms Congress will consider as Republicans in multiple states work to restrict access to the ballot box.

Were encouraging people to continue to be safe, but we also want people to make a show of force for what they believe in, said Jana Morgan, the director of the Declaration for American Democracy, a progressive organization consortium. Its really important that members of Congress see that people across the country are willing to take action.

Democratic lawmakers are expected to convene outside of the Supreme Court next week with more than a dozen liberal groups working to get the For The People Act passed later this month. Democratic Sens. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWhy do we need a filibuster rule? Just look at today's political divisions SEC removes Republican watchdog after progressive lobbying effort Biden, Capito speak by phone and agree to talk again Monday MORE (Mass.), Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharAntitrust proposal would empower bureaucrats and greedy trial lawyers Matt Stoller says cheerleading industry shows why antitrust laws are 'insufficient' Emhoff hits campaign trail to rally New Mexico ahead of special election MORE (Minn.) and Jeff MerkleyJeff MerkleySex workers gain foothold in Congress Democrats to introduce bill to prevent default recurring political donations Democrats: Roe v. Wade blow would fuel expanding Supreme Court MORE (Ore.) and other elected officials plan to join the National Organization for Women, March For Our Lives, and End Citizens United at the event.

After so long spent campaigning in isolation, Democrats are enthusiastic about once again using their preferred playbook. Cycle after cycle, organizers canvas, rally and protest to bring voters over to their causes, aggressively providing face time in the most literal sense.

While the technique is not unique to one party or faction within it, progressives have become particularly reliant on using their physical presence to sway opinions.

The fact that we were out there energized people, said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, describing her experience campaigning for President BidenJoe BidenTrump touts record, blasts Dems in return to stage Trump demands China pay 'reparations' for role in coronavirus pandemic Lincoln Project co-founder: Trump's words 'will surely kill again' MORE during the pandemic.

Ahead of the general election, Weingartens nearly 2 million-member union carefully considered the merits of leading a national bus tour.

We encouraged people if they could do it to go door-to-door with the proper safeguards and precautions, she said.

Democrats now increasingly say the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) latest guidelines have cleared the way for many individuals to meet safely. The CDC advised in late May that those who are completely vaccinated do not need to wear a mask or practice social distancing, either indoors or out. And Biden has set a goal to have at least 70 percent of U.S. adults partially vaccinated by July 4, which could further instill confidence in resuming normal life.

While Democrats generally agree that a return to traditional campaigning is a good thing, its unlikely to occur in unison.

Some are urging balance and calling for physical activities to be included with new digital capabilities, while others believe that reintegration will offer inherent challenges that cannot easily be fixed, noting that the collective physical, emotional and psychological toll of the virus will take time to process.

I wouldnt overstate the difference these types of events will make," said Tyler Law, a Democratic operative and congressional campaign committee veteran. "We won the presidency and then two special elections in Georgia during the pandemic. Democrats adapted and thrived. That being said, traditional door-to-door mobilization is critical to Democrats success. Historically, large turnout drops have created midterm waves against Democrats. We need to do everything possible to ensure a high turnout.

The midterm elections are still well over a year away, but at least one candidate competing in a Democratic primary ahead of a special election this year is thrilled at the chance to reunite with voters. Nina Turner, who is running for the Ohio House seat vacated by now-Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia FudgeMarcia FudgeOn The Money: Key takeaways from May jobs report | Biden rejects new GOP infrastructure offer as talks drag on The Hill's 12:30 Report: Biden faces pressure amid infrastructure negotiations Fudge, Buttigieg pitch housing infrastructure push to skeptical GOP MORE, built something of a cult-like following among progressives over her speeches as part of Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersTrump looms large over fractured Arizona GOP Biden faces challenge with Democrats on infrastructure package Why do we need a filibuster rule? Just look at today's political divisions MOREs (I-Vt.) presidential campaign.

Her superpower is kind of stripped from her in digital-only settings, said Angelo Greco, a senior communications strategist for Turners campaign and a fellow Sanders alum. As a co-chair, Turner played a role in the overall ground game operation, where some Democrats credited the Vermont senator for his approach to courting new voters. Thats how Nina got her name, Greco said. People know her and miss her because of that, the moments when they were in a room with her.

As one of just a handful of candidates running off-cycle during coronavirus, Turner had to reprioritize how to use her solo time. Greco said she has largely focused on gathering endorsements, working on various district-level initiatives and fundraising. Thankfully, he said, in-person opportunities are now starting to accumulate: She really cant wait to get back to campaigning in that style.

Other progressives are experiencing similar shifts in commitments. Declaration for American Democracy is orchestrating a large mobilization campaign for the July congressional recess, with Morgan anticipating well over 100 events over two weeks.

Members of Black Voters Matter, an advocacy organization, are heading to Washington from Jackson, Miss. on a "Freedom Rides for Voting Rights" tour pegged to Juneteenth.

The uptick in activity coincides with a full schedule at the White House, where the Biden administration has announced plans to send vaccinations overseas while continuing to push for more adults to receive doses domestically. Biden recently expressed a desire for the country to experience "a summer of freedom" after being locked inside.

A summer of freedom, a summer of joy, a summer of get-togethers and celebrations, the president said Wednesday. An all-American summer that this country deserves after a long, long dark winter that we've all endured.

Of course, Democrats will not be alone in their planning. Former President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump touts record, blasts Dems in return to stage Trump demands China pay 'reparations' for role in coronavirus pandemic Trump endorses Rep. Ted Budd for Senate MORE, who enjoyed holding mass rallies during the pandemic while casting doubt on the seriousness of it, is filling his itinerary with appearances while out of office. Hes already expected to hold events in Georgia, Florida and North Carolina, with the possibility for additional stops.

Trump and many Republicans preferred to go maskless during events. For Democrats, it remains an open question how many will mandate them at gatherings. With that in mind, some in the party are already thinking about possible ways to accommodate attendees and prospective voters.

Its not hard to say to someone as youre knocking on their door, would you like me to keep my mask on? Weingarten said.

Excerpt from:
Progressives relish return to in-person events | TheHill - The Hill

The Bicycle Coalition, which promotes bicycle and pedestrian safety, issued a statement in opposition to the tax cut, saying it would increase motor vehicle usage at a time when people should be getting back onto public transit and utilizing active transportation.

There could be enough support in City Council to pass the bill. But at the Wednesday council hearing, Mayor Kenneys administration also stated its opposition. Finance Director Rob Dubow said the proposal was too costly and would require scrapping across-the-board business tax cuts or cutting city services.

He also expressed doubts the savings would trickle down to workers.

Reducing the parking tax rate will most likely simply increase profits for parking lot owners and

operators, he said. The owners could choose to reallocate those profits by reducing fees for drivers or increasing wages and benefits for parking lot workers, but this bill does not guarantee that outcome.

Parkers office did not respond to specific critiques of the bill, but issued a general statement reiterating the labor potential of her legislation.

Advocacy is one of the most essential parts of the budget process. I deeply respect it, and I look forward to hearing all perspectives, she said. I am unapologetic about advocating for the interests of workers, and I will remain unwavering in my support in ensuring all workers make family-sustaining wages.

Separately, Parker has also proposed blunting the direct impact to city revenues by using pandemic recovery funds to cover the cost. But Gym shot back in a statement saying that the city simply faced more pressing uses for those funds.

All over the city, people are calling for help, Gym wrote. I believe these historic relief funds should be used to keep people in their homes, stop the gun violence crisis, and bring recovery to our small businesses.

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Philly progressives, urbanists blast $130 million cut to city parking tax - WHYY