Happy Monday and welcome to Overnight Defense. I’m Rebecca Kheel, and here’s your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the newsletter.

THE TOPLINE: Scrutiny is falling on a recently approved U.S. arms sale to Israel as the current conflict with Hamas enters its second week.

Earlier this month, the Biden administration notified lawmakers that it approved a $735 million arms sale to Israel, mostly of Boeing-made Joint Direct Attack Munitions that can turn so-called “dumb” bombs into precision-guided missiles, a congressional aide confirmed to The Hill.

The Washington Post first reported the sale Monday morning.

Democratic criticism: The sale has prompted some concern from Democrats who have pressed the administration to limit military support for the Israeli government in the face of its growing assault on Gaza.

Among them is Rep. Ilhan OmarIlhan OmarOvernight Defense: Administration approves 5M arms sale to Israel | Biden backs ceasefire in call with Netanyahu | Military sexual assault reform push reaches turning point Omar: ‘Appalling’ for US to move forward with arms sale to Israel Biden approves 5M weapons sale to Israel MORE (D-Minn.), who said in a statement Monday it would be “appalling” if the sale moved forward.

“It would be appalling for the Biden administration to go through with $735 million in precision-guided weaponry to Netanyahu without any strings attached in the wake of escalating violence and attacks on civilians,” Omar said in a statement, referring to the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin (Bibi) NetanyahuMORE.

“If this goes through this will be seen as a green light for continued escalation and will undercut any attempts at brokering a ceasefire,” added Omar, one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress.

What can Congress do?: At this point, the window for Congress to block the sale is all but closed.

The notification earlier this month set off a 15-day clock for Congress to act. There are four days left in that window, and it takes 10 days once a resolution of disapproval has been introduced before someone can force a vote to bring it to the floor.

Biden supports ceasefire: Meanwhile, President BidenJoe BidenBiden’s quiet diplomacy under pressure as Israel-Hamas fighting intensifies Overnight Defense: Administration approves 5M arms sale to Israel | Biden backs ceasefire in call with Netanyahu | Military sexual assault reform push reaches turning point CDC mask update sparks confusion, opposition MORE had his third call with Netanyahu in less than a week amid the crisis.

During the call, Biden expressed support for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the White House said, marking the first time Biden has publicly backed a ceasefire after a week of diplomatic efforts to ease the violence.

“The President expressed his support for a ceasefire and discussed U.S. engagement with Egypt and other partners towards that end,” the White House said in a readout of the call.

Egypt is considered a key interlocutor in dealing with Hamas and negotiating with the Israelis on efforts to achieve a ceasefire. The U.S. does not speak with Hamas, which it designates as a terrorist organization.

Biden has faced increasing pressure from Democrats leading up to the call on Monday, particularly after an Israeli strike on a Gaza building that housed The Associated Press and other international media organizations.

About that strike: The Jerusalem Post, citing Israeli officials, reported over the weekend that Israel shared intelligence showing that Hamas was operating out of the building that housed the AP and Al Jazeera. Journalists were given short warning before the strike and no one was harmed.

Netanyahu also said in an interview on CBS’s “Face the Nation” that the Israeli government shared intelligence with the U.S. linking the building to Hamas.

“We share with our American friends all that intelligence and here’s the intelligence we had, it’s about Palestinian terrorist — an intelligence office for the Palestinian terrorist organization housed in that building that plots and organizes the terror attacks against Israeli civilians,” Netanyahu said. “So it’s a perfectly legitimate target.”

But White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiBiden’s quiet diplomacy under pressure as Israel-Hamas fighting intensifies Overnight Defense: Administration approves 5M arms sale to Israel | Biden backs ceasefire in call with Netanyahu | Military sexual assault reform push reaches turning point CDC mask update sparks confusion, opposition MORE on Monday declined to say whether Biden has viewed the intelligence Israel says it shared.

And Secretary of State Antony BlinkenAntony BlinkenBiden’s quiet diplomacy under pressure as Israel-Hamas fighting intensifies Overnight Defense: Administration approves 5M arms sale to Israel | Biden backs ceasefire in call with Netanyahu | Military sexual assault reform push reaches turning point Psaki won’t say if Biden has seen Israeli intel on AP Gaza building MORE told reporters in Denmark that the United States had asked for information on the strike, but that he hadn’t “seen any information provided,” while indicating that intelligence information would have gone through different channels.

 

MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT REFORM PUSH REACHES INFLECTION POINT

We’ve noted in this newsletter before the momentum that has been building toward a major reform in how military sexual assault is prosecuted. Over the weekend, The Hill’s Ellen Mitchell took a look at some of the key developments fueling that momentum.

Among them are last week’s announcement from a key House Republican, Rep. Mike TurnerMichael Ray TurnerOvernight Defense: Administration approves 5M arms sale to Israel | Biden backs ceasefire in call with Netanyahu | Military sexual assault reform push reaches turning point Push to combat sexual assault in military reaches turning point Overnight Defense: Capitol security bill includes 1M to reimburse National Guard | Turner to lead House push against military sexual assault | Pentagon drops mask mandate MORE (R-Ohio), that he’s on board with the change, and Sen. Kirsten GillibrandKirsten GillibrandSenators shed masks after CDC lifts mandate Overnight Defense: Administration approves 5M arms sale to Israel | Biden backs ceasefire in call with Netanyahu | Military sexual assault reform push reaches turning point Push to combat sexual assault in military reaches turning point MORE’s (D-N.Y.) bill getting the all-important 61 supporters to overcome any Senate filibuster.

A vote on the measure will be held “hopefully soon,” Gillibrand said Friday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”

“We now have 61 bipartisan co-sponsors, we probably have over 70 supporters of the bill. We hope that we can get a floor vote, up or down, so that we can start the process of making this law,” she said alongside Turner.

Rising reports: Reports of sexual assault within the military have steadily increased since 2006 and even rose last year amid the coronavirus pandemic, when global troop movements and interactions were limited due to the health crisis. Numerous Pentagon programs and efforts to reduce such cases have come up short.

That failure was on display on Thursday when the Defense Department released its annual report on sexual assault in the military. The yearly survey found that service members reported 6,290 incidents of sexual assault while on service in fiscal year 2020, up by 1 percent compared to fiscal 2019.

 

ON TAP FOR TOMORROW

The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Gen. Paul LaCamera to be commander of U.S. Forces Korea at 9:30 a.m. https://bit.ly/3v20xVG

Gen. Paul Nakasone, commander of U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency, will testify behind closed doors to the House Appropriation Committee’s defense subcommittee at 10 a.m. https://bit.ly/3yl5jPS

The House Appropriation Committee’s military construction subcommittee will hold a hearing on Air Force quality of life with testimony from AIr Force and Space Force officials at 10 a.m. https://bit.ly/3uVjCIX

The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on Afghanistan with testimony from special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and a U.S. Agency for International Development official at 10 a.m. https://bit.ly/3oohZkx

National Guard Bureau chief Gen. Daniel Hokanson, Army Reserve chief Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels and Navy Reserve chief Vice Adm. John Mustin will testify before the Senate Appropriation Committee’s defense subcommittee at 10 a.m. https://bit.ly/3uXHmMD

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger will speak at a virtual Brookings Institution event at 10 a.m. https://brook.gs/3tVPewO

A Senate Armed Services subcommittee will hold a hearing on cybersecurity of the defense industrial base with testimony from defense officials at 2:30 p.m. https://bit.ly/3tZQPS1

A House Armed Services Committee subpanel will hold a hearing on the posture and readiness of the mobility enterprise at 4 p.m. https://bit.ly/3uYsu0l

 

ICYMI

— The Hill: Pentagon offering J&J vaccinations to South Korean troops

— The Hill: United Nations meets Thursday to address ‘rapid deterioration’ in Mideast

— The Hill: Rubio wants ‘UFO sightings’ to be registered, taken seriously

— The Hill: Space Force commander removed after comments on podcast

— The Hill: Opinion: It’s time to drop ‘competition’ from US defense strategy

— Defense News: Under Biden, stars aligning for war powers repeal: Kaine

— Task and Purpose: How ‘Rear Adm. Jack Meehoff’ fooled a bunch of real retired generals and admirals

— Associated Press: Lawyer: US approves release of oldest Guantanamo prisoner

— Axios: Trump’s war with his generals

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Israeli forces launched a wave of airstrikes into the Gaza Strip early Monday morning as the country’s ongoing conflict with Hamas, which controls the territory, continues.

Photos and videos of the attack showed the dark cityscape illuminated by explosions. The Associated Press reported explosions continued for about 10 minutes and that the attack was heavier, longer and more widespread than previous assaults.

Israeli troops confirmed the attack on Twitter, writing that “terror targets” were being struck by warplanes. Differing reports on social media alleged that roads and other critical pieces of infrastructure were being targeted as well.

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No reports of injuries were immediately available.

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The country’s prime minister, Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin (Bibi) NetanyahuMORE, said earlier Sunday on CBS’s “Face the Nation” that Israeli troops were choosing targets meant to “degrade” Hamas militants’ capabilities.

“I think any country has to defend itself and has a natural right of self-defense. We’ll do whatever it takes to restore order and quiet, and on the security of our people in deterrence. We’re trying to degrade Hamas’s terrorist abilities, and to degrade their will to do this again,” he said.

The latest series of airstrikes come a day after 42 Palestinians were killed in the deadliest day of hostilities so far.

Hamas has launched its own rockets toward civilian areas in Israel, including one that struck a synagogue in the city of Ashkelon. No injuries were reported.

Democrats in Congress have increased their calls for the Biden administration to orchestrate or call for a ceasefire, while the U.S. has for the last several days blocked efforts by China, Tunisia and Norway to release a joint United Nations Security Council statement calling for an end to the hostilities.

Some progressive members of the party have gone further, and accused the U.S. of being complicit in the deaths of Palestinian civilians.

Later Sunday, 28 Senate Democrats issued a statement calling for Israel’s military and Hamas to reach a ceasefire agreement.

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Welcome to Tuesday’s Overnight Health Care. Rep. Dean PhillipsDean PhillipsOvernight Health Care: State vaccine rates fall along red, blue divide | CDC study: Vaccination rates lower in rural counties Minnesota takes joy in beating New York for last House seat Bold leadership is necessary to curb violence against youth MORE’s dog stole the show on Capitol Hill today. We have not confirmed his views on health policy. 

If you have any tips, email us at nweixel@thehill.com, psullivan@thehill.com and jcoleman@thehill.com.

Follow us on Twitter at @NateWeixel, @PeterSullivan4, and @JustineColeman8. 

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Today: Divisions are emerging between states in vaccination rates, lawmakers pressed a drug company CEO for answers on price hikes, and an expert panel recommends colon cancer screenings start earlier. 

We’ll start with vaccinations:

State vaccine rates fall along red, blue divide

The U.S. vaccine map looks a lot like a map of how states vote in presidential elections, with most blue states vaccinating at levels well above the national average and GOP states bringing up the rear.

The politics of COVID-19 have been partisan from almost the onset of the pandemic, and polls consistently show that Republicans, particularly men, are more hesitant than Democrats to get vaccinated.

The deep-blue state of Vermont has the highest share of its population with at least one vaccine dose, at 65 percent, according to data compiled by The New York Times, followed by Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Hampshire and Connecticut.

The top 21 states for vaccination rates all went for President BidenJoe BidenFirm behind Arizona audit says no data was destroyed, contradicting GOP allegations Stacey Abrams on not being Biden’s VP: ‘He picked the right person’ Overnight Defense: Top Dem backs off request for Israel arms sale delay | Afghanistan withdrawal up to 20 percent done | Esper returns to defense industry MORE in the 2020 presidential election. Iowa — with 47 percent of its population receiving at least one shot — is the highest ranking state on the list, at No. 22, that voted for former President TrumpDonald TrumpNew York prosecutors investigating Trump Organization in a ‘criminal capacity’ Firm behind Arizona audit says no data was destroyed, contradicting GOP allegations Trump calls for Jan. 6 commission debate to end ‘immediately’ MORE. 

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Why? A big part of the reason: An NPR-PBS-Marist poll this month found that 41 percent of Republicans said they are not going to get vaccinated, compared to just 4 percent of Democrats who said the same.

Another factor: Megan Ranney, a public health expert at Brown University, said another factor is that red states tend to have less well-funded public health infrastructure, which could make getting shots in people’s arms more difficult.

Read more here.

 

Another vaccine divide: Urban vs. rural

Vaccination rates are lower in rural counties in the United States than in urban ones, according to a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released Tuesday.

The study found that as of April 10, about 39 percent of adults in rural counties had received at least one shot, compared to 46 percent in urban counties. The disparity persisted across age and gender.

Takeaway: The results highlight the need to get vaccines to people in harder-to-reach areas, a focus of the Biden administration in its new phase of the vaccination campaign, now that the most eager people have already received their shots.

The White House announced earlier this month that it would start sending vaccine doses directly to rural health clinics, and has been working with organizations like NASCAR.

Read more here. 

 

House Democrats request FTC investigate AbbVie’s pricing of Humira

Three House Democrats called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate drugmaker AbbVie for its pricing of Humira, the best-selling drug in the U.S. and internationally. 

House Oversight and Reform Committee Chair Carolyn MaloneyCarolyn MaloneyOvernight Health Care: State vaccine rates fall along red, blue divide | CDC study: Vaccination rates lower in rural counties Lawmakers press AbbVie CEO on increased US prices of two drugs Colonial Pipeline servers experiencing ‘intermittent disruptions’ days after ransomware attack MORE (D-N.Y.), Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold NadlerJerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerMcGahn to sit for closed-door interview with House Democrats House to consider anti-Asian hate crimes bill, protections for pregnant workers this month A historic moment to truly honor mothers MORE (D-N.Y.) and a Judiciary Subcommittee Chair David CicillineDavid CicillineOvernight Health Care: State vaccine rates fall along red, blue divide | CDC study: Vaccination rates lower in rural counties Lawmakers press AbbVie CEO on increased US prices of two drugs House Democrats request FTC investigate AbbVie’s pricing of Humira MORE (D-R.I.) requested a formal inquiry into AbbVie through a letter to acting FTC Chair Rebecca Kelly Slaughter.

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The requested probe would examine whether the drugmaker violated the law by delaying competition against its drug Humira, which treats rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, from lower-costing versions of the drug.   

“But AbbVie used legally questionable tactics to block lower-price biosimilars from reaching American consumers until at least 2023,” Maloney said. “Those tactics made AbbVie a fortune but cost Americans dearly.”

On Capitol Hill:  Maloney announced the call for the investigation at a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing ahead of testimony from AbbVie CEO Richard Gonzalez on drug pricing. 

Gonzalez faced tough questions from the Oversight and Reform Committee, with Democrats accusing the company of taking advantage of patients and the health care system to charge more for medicine and bring in billions of dollars for revenue and executive bonuses. 

But the CEO argued the structure of Medicare is at fault for the lack of access to affordable medicine, saying, “For these patients, reducing drug prices alone will not alleviate the challenge of access and affordability.”

Read more here and here. 

 

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Colon cancer screening age moves up: US task force recommends starting at age 45

Americans should begin getting screened for colon cancer at age 45, rather than the previously recommended age of 50, according to updated guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

The final recommendation, officially published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), calls for all adults ages 45 to 75 years old to be screened for colorectal cancer.

“Far too many people in the U.S. are not receiving this lifesaving preventive service,” Task Force vice chair Michael Barry said in a statement. “We hope that this new recommendation to screen people ages 45 to 49, coupled with our long-standing recommendation to screen people 50 to 75, will prevent more people from dying from colorectal cancer.”

Background: The key panel of experts had released a draft of the recommendation in October, and the American Cancer Society recommended the same age change in 2018.

Rates of the third deadliest form of cancer in the U.S. have been steadily increasing among younger people. And, as of 2018, more than 30 percent of eligible adults were not up to date with screening. 

Approximately 52,980 people in the country are projected to die from colon cancer this year. Last year actor Chadwick Boseman died of the disease at age 43.

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Read more here.

 

Fauci: COVID-19 vaccines effective against Indian variant 

The coronavirus vaccines authorized in the U.S. are effective at combating the strain that is currently ravaging India, top infectious diseases expert Anthony FauciAnthony FauciHillicon Valley: Democrats urge Facebook to abandon ‘Instagram for kids’ plan | ‘Homework gap’ likely to persist after pandemic Overnight Health Care: State vaccine rates fall along red, blue divide | CDC study: Vaccination rates lower in rural counties Fauci wins Webby ‘Person of the Year’ MORE said Tuesday.

Public health experts think the B.1.617 variant is likely leading to the massive spike in infections, hospitalizations and deaths in India. 

That strain has also been linked to increased cases throughout parts of Europe, and the World Health Organization recently reclassified it as a “variant of concern” — an indication that the variant has the “highest public health implications.”

During a White House briefing Tuesday, Fauci said initial studies indicated the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are “at least partially and probably quite protective” against serious illness, hospitalization and death, “indicating another very strong reason why we should be getting vaccinated.”

Read more here.

 

What we’re reading

Coronavirus vaccines may not work in some people. It’s because of their underlying conditions. (Washington Post)

Covid variant from India: How contagious is the new variant? (NBC News)

How Ashish Jha became network TV’s everyman expert on Covid (Stat)

 

State by state

Coronavirus cases spiking in Grand County, Utah as tourists return to Moab (Salt Lake Tribune) 

Gov. Greg. Abbott says no public schools or government entities will be allowed to require masks (Texas Tribune) 

 

Op-eds in The Hill

Prescription for pandemic end: Masks off, vaccines on

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Are the Supreme Court and Biden ready to rumble over Roe?

Don’t give up on ending the HIV epidemic

Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg in a Monday interview with CNN said that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantisRon DeSantisPalm Beach prosecutor says DeSantis could delay hypothetical Trump extradition Republicans seize on conservative backlash against critical race theory Journalism dies in newsroom cultures where ‘fairness is overrated’ MORE (R) could delay a possible extradition of former President TrumpDonald TrumpGOP-led Maricopa County board decries election recount a ‘sham’ Analysis: Arpaio immigration patrol lawsuit to cost Arizona county at least 2 million Conservatives launch ‘anti-cancel culture’ advocacy organization MORE to New York if there was an indictment but that he could not stop it.

There has been no indictment of Trump, and it is not clear one will happen, though a jury in New York City is investigating the former president and his businesses for banking and tax fraud.

Politico reported last week that law enforcement officials in Palm Beach have discussed how to handle a possible extradition if Trump is indicted by authorities. 

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Aronberg told CNN’s Jim AcostaJames (Jim) AcostaPalm Beach prosecutor says DeSantis could delay hypothetical Trump extradition Jen Psaki says the quiet part out loud about Joe Biden Harry Reid reacts to Boehner book excerpt: ‘We didn’t mince words’ MORE that “we have not had conversations with prosecutors in New York” about an extradition but that there have been informal conversations between the the clerk of court and other local officials about what could happen.

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He also told Acosta that DeSantis’s power as governor to stop an extradition, if it were to come to that, was “really nonexistent.”

“He can try to delay it. He can send it to a committee and do research about it. But his role is really ministerial. And ultimately, the state of New York can go to court and get an order to extradite the former president, but DeSantis could delay matters,” Aronberg added.

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When Acosta asked if Palm Beach would fight that, Aronberg said, “We would be part of it. But it’s really ministerial.”

Aronberg then noted that Congress’s tabulation on Jan. 6 of the Electoral College vote was supposed to be ministerial, adding, “And look what happened then. So you have to be prepared for anything.”

A mob interrupted Congress’s count on Jan. 6, seeking to stop it.

The University of California system on Friday announced in a legal settlement with students and advocacy groups that it will no longer consider SAT and ACT scores when reviewing applications for admission or scholarships. 

Under the settlement, the university has agreed that SAT or ACT scores sent along in admissions applications to any of the campuses in its system between fall 2021 and spring 2025 will not be viewed by admissions officials. 

The university in May 2020 had already agreed to phase out the consideration of SAT and ACT scores for students applying for admission in or after fall 2025. 

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The decision makes the University of California, which has nine campuses across the state and a total of about 225,000 undergraduate students, one of the largest schools to cut ties with the standardized tests that for decades have been an essential component in college admissions. 

Friday’s settlement seemingly ends a prolonged legal dispute over the use of standardized tests. In a 2019 lawsuit, a coalition of students, advocacy groups and the Compton Unified School District argued that the tests place an unfair disadvantage on students of color, as well as those with disabilities and those from low-income families. 

The University of California had joined other universities last year in making SAT and ACT scores optional for applications due to the coronavirus pandemic, and had already decided to extend this optional period another year. 

However, students sued the university, alleging that providing the option to voluntarily submit scores would still be unfair to students with disabilities, many of whom were not able to take the tests with their needed accommodations during the pandemic. 

Last year, Alameda Superior Court Judge Brad Seligman issued a preliminary injunction blocking UC universities from accepting standardized test scores while the complaint was considered in court. 

The university filed an appeal to the decision, with a spokesman at the time saying it would also explore a settlement “that would provide certainty for students and their families, counselors, and high schools,” The New York Times reported. 

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Friday’s settlement, which was officially approved by the UC Board of Regents Thursday, also states that the university system will pay more than $1.2 million to the lawyers representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. 

The settlement also states that should UC choose to use an alternative exam during the admissions process in the future, it “will consider access for students with disabilities in the design and implementation of any such exam.” 

Amanda Savage, one of the lawyers representing the students in the lawsuit, told the Times that the settlement “ensures that the university will not revert to its planned use of the SAT and ACT — which its own regents have admitted are racist metrics.”

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Happy Tuesday and welcome back to On The Money, where we want to hang out with the White House ghosts. I’m Sylvan Lane, and here’s your nightly guide to everything affecting your bills, bank account and bottom line.

See something I missed? Let me know at slane@thehill.com or tweet me @SylvanLane. And if you like your newsletter, you can subscribe to it here: http://bit.ly/1NxxW2N.

Write us with tips, suggestions and news: slane@thehill.com, njagoda@thehill.com and nelis@thehill.com. Follow us on Twitter: @SylvanLane, @NJagoda and @NivElis.

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THE BIG DEAL—Pent-up consumer demand fuels post-pandemic spending spree: American consumers are emerging from a year of lockdown and isolation with their wallets out, fueling a spending spree that could help ailing businesses that struggled to survive the pandemic.

• New data from several major financial institutions shows consumer spending up dramatically over the same period a year ago, when states ordered all but essential workers to stay home. 
• The data also shows spending levels exceeding the same period in 2019, a year before the pandemic, an indication that consumers are both ready to spend their money and bullish on the future.

“We’re well above where we were even in April of 2019, and I think that speaks broadly to the additional stimulus that people have received,” Wayne Best, the chief economist at Visa, told The Hill.

What Americans are buying: Data from Mastercard’s SpendingPulse barometer shows Americans are spending more on big purchases that usually require visits to showrooms. 

• Sales of furniture are up 21 percent from 2019 and up 72 percent from last year. 
• Jewelry sales have risen 14 percent from two years ago and more than tripled since 2020. 
• Sales at department stores have risen almost 10 percent from 2019.
• And sales at restaurants in April more than doubled from last year, according to Mastercard’s data.

The Hill’s Reid Wilson breaks it all down here.

LEADING THE DAY

Biden, Harris release 2020 tax returns: President BidenJoe BidenFirm behind Arizona audit says no data was destroyed, contradicting GOP allegations Stacey Abrams on not being Biden’s VP: ‘He picked the right person’ Overnight Defense: Top Dem backs off request for Israel arms sale delay | Afghanistan withdrawal up to 20 percent done | Esper returns to defense industry MORE and Vice President Harris on Monday released their 2020 tax returns, which reflect their income from the last year before they were inaugurated.

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• The president and first lady Jill BidenJill BidenOn The Money: Pent-up consumer demand fuels post-pandemic spending spree | Biden, Harris release 2020 tax returns The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden wants Congress to pass abortion bill, pushes for Mideast cease-fire Biden, Harris release 2020 tax returns MORE reported adjusted gross income of $607,336. They reported paying $157,414 in federal income taxes, for an effective tax rate of 25.9 percent. 
• Harris and second gentleman Doug EmhoffDoug EmhoffOn The Money: Pent-up consumer demand fuels post-pandemic spending spree | Biden, Harris release 2020 tax returns The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden wants Congress to pass abortion bill, pushes for Mideast cease-fire Biden, Harris release 2020 tax returns MORE reported on their 2020 federal tax return adjusted gross income of $1,695,225 and total taxes of $621,893, for an effective tax rate of 36.7 percent. 

The release of their tax returns, which came on the tax-filing deadline, follows four years in which former President TrumpDonald TrumpNew York prosecutors investigating Trump Organization in a ‘criminal capacity’ Firm behind Arizona audit says no data was destroyed, contradicting GOP allegations Trump calls for Jan. 6 commission debate to end ‘immediately’ MORE and former Vice President Mike PenceMichael (Mike) Richard PenceOn The Money: Pent-up consumer demand fuels post-pandemic spending spree | Biden, Harris release 2020 tax returns GOP splits open over Jan. 6 commission vote Not granting DC and Puerto Rico statehood would be anti-democratic MORE broke with precedent and did not disclose their returns at any point while in office. The Hill’s Naomi Jagoda and Brett Samuels break it down here.

Kerry: US considering carbon import tax: The U.S. is looking at potentially adding costs to imports from countries that don’t put heavy taxes on polluters, climate envoy John KerryJohn KerryOn The Money: Pent-up consumer demand fuels post-pandemic spending spree | Biden, Harris release 2020 tax returns OVERNIGHT ENERGY: IEA calls for no new investment in fossil fuels in net-zero plan | Biden frames EV goals as competition with China | US considering carbon import tax, Kerry says Kerry: US considering carbon import tax MORE said Tuesday. 

Kerry said that President Biden told officials to look at “what are the consequences, how do you do the pricing, what is the impact” of such a policy, according to The Associated Press. 

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“He wants to make sure we’ve thoroughly vetted it and thought about it as a matter of policy, particularly because our friends are doing so,” Kerry said. 

The importance: The Biden administration has floated using carbon fees in some capacity to help curb climate change, but hadn’t specified what they would look like. This is one of the clearest indications we’ve gotten so far, but there’s a long road to go before it potentially gets implemented.

“But we do have some concerns about what the downstream impact might be, and we want to understand that fully before jumping on this,” the former secretary of State added. “Our preference would be that every country is joining in in a fair manner in its efforts to reduce emissions sufficiently, that we’re all paying the price of avoiding the consequences of the global climate crisis.”

The Hill’s Rachel Frazin has more here.

Yellen pitches corporate tax hikes to business groups: In other tax news, Treasury Secretary Janet YellenJanet Louise YellenOn The Money: Pent-up consumer demand fuels post-pandemic spending spree | Biden, Harris release 2020 tax returns Yellen pitches corporate tax hikes to business groups Economist Richard Wolff says higher wages needed to spur faster job growth MORE on Tuesday made a direct pitch for raising corporate taxes to the business community, telling the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that the funds would be an investment to reduce inequality and rebuild the country’s infrastructure.

“With corporate taxes at a historical low of 1 percent of GDP, we believe the corporate sector can contribute to this effort by bearing its fair share. We propose simply to return the corporate tax toward historical norms,” Yellen told the Chamber at the opening of its Global Forum on Economic Recovery.

“At the same time, we want to eliminate incentives that reward corporations for moving their operations overseas and shifting profits to low-tax countries. As part of this effort, we are working with our international partners on a global minimum corporate tax to stop the race to the bottom,” she added.

The background: The pitch comes as the Chamber makes a concerted push to prevent corporate tax increases. 

• As part of his $4.1 trillion in infrastructure and family support plans, President Biden has proposed raising the corporate tax to 28 percent from its current 21 percent, though key moderate Democrats have only signaled support for raising the rate to 25 percent.
• Senate Republicans who are negotiating on the infrastructure portion of the plan have drawn a red line at increasing taxes, saying they are unwilling to revisit the 2017 GOP tax cut that brought corporate rates down from 35 percent.

The Hill’s Niv Elis takes us to Yellen’s speech here. 

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ON TAP TOMORROW:

• Federal Reserve Vice Chair of Supervision Randal Quarles, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chair Jelena McWilliams, National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Chair Rodney Hood, and Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu testify before the House Financial Services Committee at an oversight hearing at 10 a.m.
• The House Ways and Means Committee holds a hearing on paying for infrastructure investments through the tax code at 10 a.m.
• A House Appropriations subcommittee holds a hearing on global climate finance at 10 a.m.
• IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig testifies before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on tax enforcement at 2 p.m.

GOOD TO KNOW

• The tariffs implemented during former President Trump’s trade war with China hit American businesses and consumers hardest, according to new report from Moody’s Investor Services.
• Senators on both sides of the aisle on Tuesday said they are interested in reviving an Obama-era bond program to help finance infrastructure projects.
• The Biden administration Tuesday said it is delaying for two weeks a ban on buying or selling securities in companies that have ties to the Chinese military.
• The CEO of Macy’s says the chain expects to see a retail sales boom hit U.S. stores as Americans venture out of isolation amid the growing availability of COVID-19 vaccines.
• Bank of America announced on Tuesday that it would be raising its minimum wage to $25 an hour by 2025 and will now require its U.S. vendors to pay employees at least $15 an hour.

ODDS AND ENDS

• Amazon is extending its ban on police use of its facial recognition technology until further notice, the company confirmed Tuesday.
• President Biden on Tuesday test-drove a Ford electric pickup truck as part of a visit to the company’s plant in Dearborn, Mich., during which he touted electric vehicles as the “future of the auto industry.”

Automobile manufacturer Kia is issuing another recall for hundreds of thousands of its vehicles due to risks of engine fires.

Kia is recalling an additional 440,000 cars and SUVs in the U.S. as they examine the cars following reports of fires, telling owners of the vehicles to park them outside and away from structures in case of a blaze that could occur even when the car isn’t running, according to the recall notice shared with The Hill.

The Korean automaker’s recall includes Optima sedans from 2013 to 2015, as well as Sorento SUVs from 2014 to 2015.

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These same models were included in a December recall of 295,000 vehicles due to reports of compartment fires erupting while driving.

Kia in March again announced it would be recalling vehicles due to fire risks. The move included more than 380,000 vehicles, such as the 2017 through 2021 Sportage SUVs and 2017 through 2019 Cadenza sedans.

Kia said Tuesday that the risk of fire in the vehicles could increase with a brake fluid leak into a control computer, which can cause an electrical shortage both while parked and driving.

The automobile manufacturer said warning signs of a fire in these vehicles could include illumination of the MIL or ABS warning lights in its cars, a burning or melting smell, or smoke coming from the engine.

The car owners impacted by the latest recall will be notified with letters starting July 2, Kia said, which will include “instructions to bring their vehicles to a Kia dealer to be inspected for leaking brake fluid in the HECU [Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit].”

Kia said in the document that dealers will install a new fuse in the vehicles that has a lower amperage rating, thus reducing the risk for a fire to break out.

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The automaker said that in total, it had received reports of fires involving “isolated melting” in six Optimas and two Sorentos, including in one Optima that had received a fix following last year’s recall.

None of the fires contained reports of crashes or injuries resulting from the malfunctions, Kia said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been investigating engine fires in Kia and Hyundai cars since 2019 following multiple complaints of fires, injuries and one death.

Both automakers were fined in 2020 for failing to recall certain cars, as well as providing inaccurate information on the recalls.

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President BidenJoe BidenBiden’s quiet diplomacy under pressure as Israel-Hamas fighting intensifies Overnight Defense: Administration approves 5M arms sale to Israel | Biden backs ceasefire in call with Netanyahu | Military sexual assault reform push reaches turning point CDC mask update sparks confusion, opposition MORE has revoked an order put in place by his predecessor that targeted a controversial law that shields tech companies from liability for content posted on their platforms by third parties. 

Biden on Friday revoked the order former President TrumpDonald TrumpGOP-led Maricopa County board decries election recount a ‘sham’ Analysis: Arpaio immigration patrol lawsuit to cost Arizona county at least 2 million Conservatives launch ‘anti-cancel culture’ advocacy organization MORE signed last year directing federal agencies to review Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, which protects them from being held legally responsible for third party content. 

During his presidential campaign, Biden said he supported revoking Section 230 but he has largely not detailed plans moving forward regarding tech regulation. It remains unclear if Biden will take action on reforming or repealing Section 230. A spokesperson for the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

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Biden’s Secretary of Commerce Gina RaimondoGina RaimondoBiden revokes Trump-era order targeting shield for website operators EU suspends tariff hike on US goods in talks over Trump steel levies Biden says he and GOP both ‘sincere about’ seeking infrastructure compromise MORE said during her confirmation hearings that she supports “some reform” on Section 230 and would use resources at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to convene stakeholders and discuss with members of Congress potential reforms. 

Trump issued his order after Twitter put a label on two of his tweets about mail-in voting.

Since then, the former president has been permanently banned from Twitter, and Facebook and other platforms have taken similar action to ban or suspend his accounts. 

Trump’s executive order was also widely criticized at the time by Democrats, who questioned the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) ability to clarify the meaning of laws in the way Trump’s order called for.

Former FCC Chair Ajit PaiAjit PaiBiden revokes Trump-era order targeting shield for website operators Top Democrat: FCC actions are a ‘potential setback’ to autonomous vehicles Two telemarketers fined record 5M for robocalls MORE said he would not be moving forward with rulemaking on the order in January, shortly before he stepped down at the beginning of Biden’s term. 

Although Trump and his allies have issued calls to repealSection 230, the law has come under fire from both sides of the aisle — albeit for different reasons. 

Republicans have rallied behind calls to reform or revoke the law over unsubstantiated claims of censorship with an anti-conservative bias. Democrats, however, have largely slammed the companies over not taking enough of a stand against hate speech and misinformation on their platforms.

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Gandhi Djuna dit Gims (anciennement Maître Gims) a fait une grande révélation sur son compte Instagram le 23 juillet 2019. Le rappeur de 33 ans a dévoilé son visage sans lunettes à ses nombreux followers. Pour cette grande occasion, l’interprète de Tout donner s’est habillé très classe avec un élégant costume gris. Il écrit : “28/09/19. J’ai rien d’autre à ajouter merci.” Référence à son prochain concert au Stade de France, c’est d’ailleurs son frère Dadju qui fera la première partie de son show. Sur son compte , il annonçait : “Retrouvez-moi en première partie du King @gims au Stade De France le 28 septembre. L’histoire s’écrit en famille.” Un concert qui risque donc de nous réserver pas mal de surprises…

Une mise à nu pas comme les autres

L’époux de DemDem est habitué à porter ses lunettes de soleil depuis ses débuts à la télévision. L’homme étant très timide, elles ont d’abord constitué une sorte de protection, une “barrière de sécurité“, “un camouflage“. Il expliquait dans l’émission 50 Mn Inside sur TF1 en mars 2016 : “Sans elles, je me sentirais très mal. Il me serait impossible d’aborder un concert ou la scène sans.“

En mars 2018, le rappeur déclarait d’ailleurs au journal Le Parisien que la seule chose qui pourrait lui faire retirer ses lunettes serait un rôle au cinéma. “Quand je les enlève, on ne me reconnaît pas. Je suis content d’avoir réussi à préserver cela. Si cela devait arriver, cela serait pour le cinéma. J’aimerais un jour en faire. Avoir un rôle dans Avengers, X-Men, comme Omar Sy.”

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Alors, le papa de quatre enfants aura-t-il d’autres révélations à faire lors de son prochain concert ? Réponse le 28 septembre 2019 !

28/09/19 J’ai rien d’autre ajouter merci.

Une publication partage par G I M S (@gims) le 23 Juil. 2019 10 :56 PDT

Mark Wahlberg (48 ans) et le mannequin Rhea Durham (41 ans) fêtent leur anniversaire de mariage en Italie. 10 ans d’amour qui ont donné naissance à quatre enfants : Ella, 15 ans, Michael, 13 ans, Brendan, 10 ans, et Grace, 9 ans. Marié depuis le 1er août 2009 (à Beverly Hills), le couple semble toujours aussi uni et amoureux malgré les années qui passent.

Interviewé en 2018 par le tabloïd The Sun, l’acteur de No Pain No Gain avait déclaré au sujet de sa femme : “Je dois beaucoup à ma femme. Elle m’a aidé à devenir l’homme que je suis et a créé une belle vie pour moi et nos enfants.” La star du film 22 Miles confie qu’à leur rencontre, il a tout de suite su que Rhea était la femme de sa vie. Il raconte : “Je savais aussi qu’elle m’aimait pour qui je suis et qu’elle était une personne de confiance. Avant de la rencontrer, je n’étais pas prêt à me marier.“

Leur premier rendez-vous amoureux ? À l’autel

Leur premier rendez-vous galant ? Mark semble avoir voulu tout de suite emmener la jolie blonde à l’autel ! Très direct, il explique lui avoir demandé de venir à la messe un dimanche avec lui. “Demain, c’est dimanche… Veux-tu venir à la messe avec moi ?” Bien sûr, Rhea ne s’est pas fait prier pour accepter cette charmante invitation. Ils sont très croyants tous les deux et elle publie d’ailleurs régulièrement des posts religieux sur son compte Instagram.

Pour faire honneur à leur mariage, la top model américaine a même décidé de se faire un tatouage en mai 2019 en l’honneur de son époux. Ainsi, elle a publié une photographie à ses abonnés de ce nouveau tattoo. On peut voir un “M” tatoué sur l’un de ses doigts. Les followers se sont empressés de réagir : “Moi, j’ai le nom de mon mari sur l’annulaire“, “C’est comme si tu avais un cadeau spécial pour Mark…“,”Un très beau cadeau pour Mark !“.

Félicitations aux mariés (toujours très amoureux) qui fêtent leurs noces d’étain.

10yrs married baby @markwahlberg #infinityandbeyond

Une publication partage par Rhea Wahlberg (@byrheawahlberg) le 26 Juil. 2019 11 :35 PDT

#giorgiobaldi dinner with family @markwahlberg #summernights

Une publication partage par Rhea Wahlberg (@byrheawahlberg) le 7 Juil. 2019 6 :27 PDT

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I love you…..#infinityandbeyond #myrock @markwahlberg

Une publication partage par Rhea Wahlberg (@byrheawahlberg) le 3 Juin 2019 7 :38 PDT