President Joe Biden is in Mexico; thousands of nurses in New York are on strike; and the House has a newly elected speaker. These stories and more highlight the morning rundown for Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.
Day one agenda for Speaker McCarthy
Newly elected House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will be leading the floor in the House chamber, and after last week’s vote after vote of disagreement within the GOP, it’s now on to business.
There is a laundry list of items Republicans want, including cuts to IRS funding and immigration policy.
But first, the House has to pass its rules package, which will include some of the concessions McCarthy made to Republican hold-outs.
The rules are slated to be voted on tonight.
Biden visits border then Mexico
President Biden is in Mexico meeting with the Mexican president. He arrived Sunday night after touring the border city of El Paso, Texas.
It was his first trip to the border, where he met with Texas officials including the governor. Gov. Greg Abbott, R, said he was hopeful the conversation between state and federal officials would continue past the president’s visit this weekend.
“He’s never called me to talk to me about the immigration issue. Now, I provided him with a letter that provides tangible, concrete solutions that will stop illegal immigration. And I expect him to call me. And that’s what Secretary Mayorkas has also said,” Abbott said following the visit.
President Biden had about four hours to inspect border conditions and meet with personnel before moving on to Mexico.
He’s now expected to sit down with Mexico’s president to discuss the shared border crisis.
Canada’s president will also be showing up today to discuss other issues important to North American leaders.
7,000 New York nurses on strike
Thousands of nurses in New York are on strike today. All because of failed negotiations in worker-contracts between hospitals and unions.
Hospitals in Manhattan and the Bronx are the ones short-staffed today because of the strike.
Travel-nurses have been brought in to fill their places, and some patients are being transferred to other hospitals.
For the nurses on strike, their main sticking point is a staffing shortage. They’re asking the hospitals to add more personnel.
And while there’s a written agreement to add 170 new positions, the nurses say it’s not enough to address issues of being overworked.
Continuous storms flood California
After storms flooded parts of California last week and through the weekend, another storm is slated to bring more downpours and heavy winds to Central and Northern California tonight.
Another powerful system is expected Wednesday and Thursday that could bring another several inches of rain to the valley. Twelve people have already died.
The National Weather Service is warning of a “relentless parade of atmospheric rivers.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom told residents over the weekend that the worst of the weather is still to come.
Brazil’s version of Jan. 6
Thousands of protesters in Brazil breached congressional buildings in defiance of election results.
The situation is similar to what we experienced in our own country two years ago on January 6.
Brazil’s former president, Jair Bolsonaro, lost re-election by less than two points in the highly contested race.
Protesters claimed the election was stolen before storming Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace in the capital.
Brazil’s new president was sworn into office a week ago. He says the protesters will face punishment.
Bills win game for Damar Hamlin
It was a play that sent chills down your spine. The first time the Buffalo Bills stepped foot back onto the football field since Damar Hamlin’s collapse, the team scored a kick-off return touchdown.
Members of the team calling it “special” and “spiritual.” Saying they won the game for Damar. Hamlin watched his team from his hospital bed with loved ones.
Hamlin wears jersey No. 3. The last time the Bills did a kick-off return was three years and 3 months ago. Their quarterback threw three touchdowns on Sunday. And their defense came up with three interceptions.
Lots of threes that some call an eerie coincidence and others call a sign.
