Congress advances bill to avert government shutdown with $20 million for Jackson – National & International News – TUE 27Oct2022

Congress unveils gov’t funding bill with money for Ukraine, Jackson. Hurricane Ian: 2.5 million Floridians ordered to evacuate. Iran: At least 76 dead in crackdown on “morality police” protests.

NATIONAL NEWS

Congress advances bill to avert government shutdown with money for Ukraine, Jackson

Last night, Democrats in Congress forwarded a 237-page federal spending bill that must pass by Friday to avoid a partial government shutdown. The bill would fund the federal government until December 16. The proposal also includes $12.3 billion more for Ukraine and $20 million in emergency funding to address the water crisis in Jackson, MS. 

The bill also includes a controversial energy permit reform provision put forward by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV). The reform would fast track the permitting process for oil exploration and other carbon-fueled energy projects. The provision has met resistance from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). Other progressives in the House have said they will vote against the bill if the provision is included.

Speaking on Fox News, Manchin said he had expected the resistance from Sanders and other progressives. However, Manchin was surprised by opposition from Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and the Republicans. McConnell has effusively praised Manchin’s conservative votes on a host of issues, including his role in killing the Build Back Better plan. But McConnell is upset with Manchin for voting with Democrats on a much pared-down bill that included corporate tax reforms and climate change spending. McConnell came out last week against the energy permit reform, apparently in a tit-for-tat against Manchin.

Manchin expressed exasperation with McConnell’s stance, bemoaning the fact that he was “a hero one day and a villain the next”.

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Hurricane Ian: More than 2.5 million Floridians ordered to evacuate

As predicted, Hurricane Ian struck Cuba last night as a Category 3 hurricane. The storm is now making its way up to Florida and is expected to strike Wednesday afternoon. The trajectory isn’t yet certain, but meteorologists say it’ll likely hit between Tampa and Ft. Myers. Officials have ordered more than 2.5 million people in areas vulnerable to flooding and storm surges to evacuate. In most cases, officials say, evacuees won’t have to go far away from their homes to get to safety. Even 5-10 miles inland would suffice.

In an attempt to dissuade people from riding out the storm in evacuation areas, officials have repeatedly warned residents not to underestimate Ian’s destructive power. The Tampa Bay area, which has not seen a storm of this magnitude in a century, is particularly vulnerable due to the shape of its coast line.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Iran: At least 76 dead in crackdown on “morality police” protests

Protests over the police custody death of Mahsa Amini, 22, have entered their 11th day. Last week, Mahsa Amini died in the custody of the “morality police”, who had arrested her for wearing her hijab (a hair covering) incorrectly. Authorities claim that Amini suffered a sudden cardiac episode and slipped into a coma. Her family say that Amini had been beating by police.

The protests have been springing up in cities all over the country. Despite a brutal police crackdown that has left at least 76 people dead, the protests are continuing to spread and intensify. This has forced Iran’s hardline conservative President Ebrahim Raisi to promise an investigation into Amin’s death.

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