President Biden action aims to help narrow gender pay gap
On March 15, Equal Pay Day, President Biden announced action to advance pay equity and promote economic security for women. He is encouraging private businesses to do the same.
Specifically, the administration will propose a regulation to address the use of previous salary history in the hiring and pay-setting process for federal employees; promote efforts to achieve pay equity for job applicants and employees of federal contractors; strengthen pay equity audits by federal contractors; ensure equitable access to well-paying jobs; and address discrimination against caregivers.
Trump pulls endorsement of “woke” Mo Brooks in Alabama Senate race
In a statement March 23, former President Trump said his endorsement of Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) in the Alabama Senate race was “a horrible mistake (because) he went ‘woke,’” referring to the 2020 presidential election. Trump went on to say he will be making a new endorsement soon.
The Alabama Senate race is likely to be won in the Republican primary occurring May 24 to fill the seat of retiring Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.). Alabama rules dictate any candidate must get more than 50% to win outright or face a runoff June 21. ROOFPAC currently supports pro-business candidate Katie Britt rather than Brooks or Mike Durant.
What is next in Congress to pressure Russia to leave Ukraine? The House of Representatives recently passed a bipartisan bill revoking normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus by a vote of 424-8.
The bill would give President Biden authority to increase tariffs on products from Russia and Belarus until the start of 2024 and require the U.S. Trade Representative to seek the suspension of Russia’s participation in the World Trade Organization, as well as stop Belarus from joining. The bill awaits consideration in the Senate, where changes are expected before final passage.
Senate Judiciary Committee begins nomination hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
The Senate Judiciary Committee, led by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), began the confirmation process of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to become the next Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. President Biden nominated Jackson to replace retiring Associate Justice Stephen Breyer; if confirmed, Jackson would become the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
Jackson currently serves as a federal appeals court judge and was confirmed recently by the Senate with bipartisan support. The three Republicans who supported her nomination remain in the Senate—Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine). It is unlikely Graham will support her nomination this time, but that still leaves the Murkowski and Collins votes uncertain. However, Democrats can pass Jackson’s nomination with a simple majority without any Republican votes.
These hearings are suspected to be less dramatic than the past few Supreme Court nomination hearings, and Jackson is considered a person of intellect and good character. However, Republicans are still reeling from the way their 2018 nominee—now Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh—was treated, and they have their own questions regarding Jackson’s judicial philosophy.
Jackson is expected to continue to receive tough questions about her past sentencing choices for sex offenders, her representation of detainees at Guantanamo Bay and her view of the Constitution as a living document. We anticipate Jackson will receive confirmation and perhaps pick up a Republican vote or two. This confirmation will not change the ideological balance of the court.
President Biden heads to Brussels and Poland amid pressure to do more for Ukraine
President Joe Biden left for Europe March 23 as he tries to balance support for Ukraine and NATO countries and not poking Russia into more aggressive action such as using chemical or nuclear weapons. The president will attend an emergency meeting with NATO leaders to discuss a collective next step in response to Russian’s invasion. Before leaving for Poland, President Biden will meet with the Group of Seven leaders and attend a European Council gathering.
Ambassador Michael McFaul, who served in Russia under President Obama, stated: “It will feel very flat if there is this giant meeting of NATO, the most powerful alliance in the world, and the only outcome from it is a statement of solidarity. That will not look like a strong move. That will be demoralizing for Zelenskyy and uplifting for Putin.”
Meanwhile, Congress continues in a bipartisan manner to encourage Biden to do more to support Ukraine, particularly by providing fighter jets and additional sanctions on Russian oligarchs.
