Is Biden’s infrastructure bill ‘running into a brick wall’?

Published

5 years ago

June 9, 2021

Biden seeks new coalition for infrastructure bill as talks with key GOP senators crumble

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says bipartisan negotiations on the infrastructure bill “seem to be running into a brick wall”.

In addition to bipartisan options, Biden also spoke to the top two Democrats on Tuesday. He gave them the go-ahead to begin crafting an infrastructure bill that can pass without any Republican votes.

Bi-partisan agreement

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said the President spoke to her about the infrastructure bill.

“I spoke with the president this afternoon, and he ended our infrastructure negotiations,” Capito said in a statement.

“Throughout our negotiations, we engaged respectfully, fully, and very candidly—delivering several serious counteroffers that each represented the largest infrastructure investment Republicans have put forth,” she said.

We can’t let Republicans water down a bill they’ll never even vote for.

Let’s quickly pass the bold infrastructure bill our nation needs. pic.twitter.com/7p6hgRPFLj
— Pramila Jayapal (@PramilaJayapal) June 5, 2021

Republicans agree to increase investment

It comes as the Republicans agreed to increase their initial $928 billion investment in the infrastructure bill by $50 billion.

However, Biden believes this increase is not enough. The White House said, “the current offer does not meet objectives to grow the economy, tackle the climate crisis, and create new jobs”.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says perhaps the days of the two parties working together are over.

We appreciate the effort of @POTUS & @SenCapito in #bipartisan infrastructure negotiations. We continue to support a bipartisan path forward in Congress to deliver a transformational #infrastructure bill for America’s communities that leaves no one behind. We are #ReadytoRebuild
— National League of Cities (@leagueofcities) June 8, 2021

Oil prices surge as U.S.-Iran tensions escalate

Published

14 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Crude oil prices jumped over 3% on Wednesday as U.S.-Iran nuclear talks showed signs of faltering, pushing WTI futures above $65 per barrel. Axios reported disagreements over the venue and scope of Friday’s talks, while President Trump warned Iran’s supreme leader to “be very worried,” stoking fears of military escalation.

Tensions in the Persian Gulf added to the volatility. A U.S. F-35C shot down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln, and Iranian vessels threatened a U.S.-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The USS McFaul escorted the tanker to safety, highlighting the region’s fragile oil supply routes.

Despite the clashes, nuclear talks will go ahead on Friday in Oman, but uncertainty continues to drive oil market volatility, with traders closely watching both diplomatic and military developments.

#OilPrices #IranUS #NuclearTalks #PersianGulf #WTI #EnergyMarket #Geopolitics #OilSupply

News

Washington Post layoffs: Hundreds of journalists cut as Bezos faces criticism

Published

16 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

The Washington Post has laid off hundreds of employees, marking what former executive editor Martin Baron calls “one of the darkest days” in the paper’s history. Approximately one-third of the newsroom staff were affected, as the company undertakes a so-called “strategic reset” to compete in a crowded media landscape.

The cuts hit key areas, including the sports desk, local coverage, international reporting, the books desk, and the flagship daily news podcast. Editor-in-Chief Matt Murray said the changes aim to prioritise national security, politics, science, health, technology, climate, and business coverage while positioning the Post for the future.

Critics have called out owner Jeff Bezos for his silence during the layoffs and alleged efforts to influence the paper’s political stance. Former editor Baron warned that the newspaper’s ambitions would be sharply diminished and its credibility could suffer.

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News

Amazon launches AI tools to change film and television production

Amazon MGM Studios tests AI to streamline production, reduce costs, enhancing but not replacing human creativity, says AI Studio team.

Published

21 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Amazon MGM Studios tests AI to streamline production, reduce costs, enhancing but not replacing human creativity, says AI Studio team.

Amazon MGM Studios is stepping into the future of entertainment by developing artificial intelligence tools designed to reduce production costs and streamline filmmaking processes. This closed beta, launching in March, will let industry partners test how AI can enhance creativity and efficiency on set.

Amy Cheng, leading the AI Studio team, emphasises that while AI can accelerate workflows, it will never replace the unique contributions of human creativity. The initiative represents Amazon’s push to innovate in content creation while maintaining the art of storytelling.

The use of AI in Hollywood is expanding rapidly, sparking discussions about its impact on jobs and the future of the industry. As studios explore automation, the balance between efficiency and human artistry remains a central concern.

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