The Latest Breaking News from Washington D.C.

Wall Street counsels Washington against kicking Russia off SWIFT

Some of Wall Street’s largest banks told lawmakers and the Biden administration that kicking Russia off the SWIFT financial-messaging system would have far-reaching fallout that could hurt the global economy and undermine the purpose of the penalties, people familiar with the matter said.

Tribune News Service · Feb 26, 2022

Russia vetoes UN resolution condemning its own invasion of Ukraine

WASHINGTON — Russia stood alone Friday to veto a U.N. resolution condemning its “brutal” invasion of Ukraine, killing the measure — for now. But all other members in the solemn session of the U.N. Security Council either voted in favor or abstained, testament to rounds of intensive diplomatic pleas by…

Los Angeles Times · Feb 26, 2022

Interesting Public Records vs. Academic Freedom Case Related to Animal Research

From Sullivan v. Univ. of Washington, decided yesterday by Judge Richard Jones (W.D. Wash.): The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee ("IACUC") at the University of Washington monitors animal research conducted at the university. The committee "approves and monitors all proposed projects that include vertebrates or cephalopods" to "ensur[e] that…

Reason · Feb 25, 2022

Biden names Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court in historic pick

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has selected Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to fill a Supreme Court vacancy, a history-making choice that would make her the first Black woman to ascend to the high court.

Los Angeles Times · Feb 25, 2022

Two cities added to Ballotpedia’s coverage scope following 2020 census

Ballotpedia provides comprehensive coverage of all elections within the 100 largest cities in the United State based on population. Following the 2020 census, two cities—Spokane, Washington, and Santa Clarita, California—entered the top 100 and another two cities—San Bernardino, California, and Birmingham, Alabama—did not make the cut. As a result, Ballotpedia…

Ballotpedia · Feb 25, 2022

Washington Legislature considers collective bargaining for legislative staff

A new bill that would give state legislative staff the right to bargain collectively was introduced in the Washington House of Representatives after two similar bills missed the cutoff to be passed to the opposite chamber last week. Around 100 legislative staffers called in sick after the bills did not…

Ballotpedia · Feb 25, 2022

Rick Scott’s income tax plan may ‘rescue’ Democratic campaigns, give GOP a problem

Tasked with helping Republicans capture the Senate majority in November, Sen. Rick Scott handed Democrats an economic hammer to swing at his party this week with a plan that called for a tax increase on millions of Americans.

Miami Herald · Feb 25, 2022

Israel Seeks ‘Delicate Balance’ in Ukraine Crisis

With Russian forces in neighboring Syria, Washington its unswerving ally and about a million citizens with ties to the former Soviet Union, Israel is seeking a delicate balance in the Ukraine crisis. For residents of Bat Yam, just south of Tel Aviv and home to many Jews with roots in…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Feb 25, 2022

Biden names Judge Ketanji Jackson to Supreme Court in historic pick

WASHINGTON — President Biden has selected Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to fill a Supreme Court vacancy, a history-making choice that would make her the first Black woman to ascend to the high court.

Los Angeles Times · Feb 25, 2022

Federal government announces new grants to expand internet access in rural areas

WASHINGTON — Federal officials on Friday announced nearly $300 million in new grant money meant to expand access to high-speed internet, part of a larger ongoing effort from the federal government to make broadband internet more widely available across the country.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Feb 25, 2022