Obama jokingly called Biden “vice president” on his return to the White House
Barack Obama visited the White House on Tuesday for his first public event at the executive mansion since leaving office. He was involved in the celebration of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, while Joe Biden announced changes to the health program that could get up to 200,000 uninsured Americans eligible for new coverage.
The visit led many Democrats to hope that Mr Biden could benefit from his former boss’s still high approval rating. Mr Biden has recently struggled to raise his profile in opinion polls, and there are serious fears that apathy and frustration among Democrat voters could allow Republicans to run in this year’s by-elections. Mr Obama says Democrats have to tell a story to win in the interim, they “just have to tell it”.
Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 11-11 for the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for the Supreme Court. The result will not prevent Ms. Jackson’s nomination from continuing in the Senate; she seems to already have the support of 53 senators, with Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Markowski and Mitt Romney breaking the ranks to support her.
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The White House says Russia’s financial system is close to bankruptcy
Justin Vallejo has the latest.
Oliver O’Connell April 5, 2022 11:30 p.m.
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Voices: The funniest questions asked of Ketanji Brown Jackson
Andrew Feinberg addresses the most ridiculous questions asked to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson during the confirmation hearings, including: “Do you think we should catch and imprison more or less murderers?”
Oliver O’Connell April 5, 2022 22:50
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Biden confirmed Admiral Linda Fagan’s nomination as head of the Coast Guard
“I am honored to nominate Admiral Linda Fagan as Commander of the United States Coast Guard. Her leadership and integrity are unprecedented. If confirmed, Adm Fagan will be the first woman in history to serve as commandant and the first woman head of the service, “said President Joe Biden.
“My administration is committed to seeing more qualified women at the highest command levels and ensuring that women can succeed and thrive throughout their military careers.
Oliver O’Connell April 5, 2022 22:20
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Voices: Obama returns to the White House with Biden, but is that enough?
The boys reunited at the White House this week, ostensibly to celebrate and expand the Affordable Care Act – but also probably for another reason in mind, writes Holly Baxter.
Oliver O’Connell April 5, 2022 10:00 p.m.
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Ted Cruz angered him by saying that Biden had started a war in Ukraine
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has blamed President Joe Biden for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Monday, as the Republican segment of the Republican Party targeting Trump continues to insist that former President Donald Trump, who enjoyed extremely warm relations with Vladimir Putin, would prevent the war.
Mr Cruz made the comments Monday night on Fox News, speaking to Sean Hannity on the web.
John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.
Oliver O’Connell April 5, 2022 9:45 p.m.
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More about Russia from the White House
Ms Psaki reiterated that the United States did not seek a “regime change” in Moscow, but added that Putin was a war criminal and that his crimes should be dealt with by the international system and was a “pariah” in the world.
She was also asked why there was no “kinetic” or military response to Putin’s war crimes in Ukraine. She reiterated that President Biden was acting in the interests of the United States and that “this is not to go to war with Russia.”
Oliver O’Connell April 5, 2022 9:27 PM
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Psaki rejects Hunter Biden’s question
Ms. Psaki was asked if President Biden would support the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate his son Hunter. She stressed the independence of the Ministry of Justice.
She was also asked if it was still true that the president had never had talks with Hunter Biden about his business dealings abroad.
Oliver O’Connell April 5, 2022 9:22 p.m.
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The White House: Russia’s financial system is on the verge of collapse
Commenting on the impact of economic sanctions on Russia so far, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said: “Russia’s financial system is on the verge of collapse.”
“It is becoming increasingly difficult for President Putin to fund this war every day. That has an impact. “
Oliver O’Connell April 5, 2022 9:18 p.m.
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Bucha is potentially the “tip of the iceberg” of atrocities in Ukraine, the White House said
At today’s White House briefing, spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the atrocities reported outside the city of Bucha were probably the “tip of the iceberg” of what Russia has done in Ukraine.
On sanctions, she said the purpose of the sanctions was to force Russia to “make a choice”.
Russia does not have “unlimited resources, especially now” and they will be forced to choose between draining the remaining valuable dollar reserves or new revenues or defaults.
Oliver O’Connell April 5, 2022 21:13
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Live – White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki gives a briefing
Watch live as White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki holds a briefing
Oliver O’Connell April 5, 2022 20:56
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