Thursday morning news - August 12, 2021

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kent Covington.

Biden pitches ‘Build Back Better’ spending plans » Speaking from the East Room of the White House, President Biden Wednesday made another pitch for what he calls his ‘Build Back Better’ agenda.

That, he said, starts with the roughly $1 trillion dollar infrastructure bill that the Senate just passed.

BIDEN: This is the ultimate blue collar blueprint to rebuild America. And we’re going to do it without raising taxes 1 cent on anyone making less than $400,000 a year. That’s why I wouldn’t even support a gas—increase gas tax.

Some Republicans holdouts argued that all Americans will pay a price as the bill adds to the deficit and they say more spending could fuel more inflation.

The Labor Department reported Wednesday that consumer prices are up more than 5 percent from this time last year. But the president said Americans should not worry.

BIDEN: We will keep a careful eye on inflation each month and trust the Fed to take appropriate action if and when it’s needed.

As for the infrastructure bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi again suggested the House will not consider it right now.

PELOSI: I’m glad it passed. I’m glad it’s bipartisan, strongly so. But it is not the totality of the vision of Joe Biden and the congressional Democrats.

Senate Democrats are now working on a separate $3.5 trillion dollar spending bill. Pelosi wants to wait and consider both measures together.

Taliban complete northeast Afghan blitz as more cities fall » The Taliban on Wednesday raised its flag in three more provincial capitals in Afghanistan and captured a local army headquarters.

That gives the extremist group control of two-thirds of the nation as U.S. and NATO troops complete their withdrawal.

President Biden said U.S. forces are still providing limited support to the Afghan military, but nothing more.

BIDEN: I think they’re beginning to realize they've got to come together politically at the top, but we’re going to continue to keep our commitment. But I do not regret my decision.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday replaced his army chief of staff.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said his country is doing all it can to broker peace in Afghanistan.

QURESHI: We have an enlightened self-interest in a peaceful, stable Afghanistan, and we have done everything possible to facilitate that. And we will continue to do that.

But the Taliban is showing little interest in negotiating peace.

Texas GOP signs arrest warrants to end Democrats' holdout » Republican leaders in the Texas House signed arrest warrants for 52 Democrats who fled the state to block new voting legislation.

A group of Democrats took private jets to Washington last month in a dramatic display of protest. Their absence denies the state House the quorum it needs to conduct business.

Some of those Democrats are now holding out from home.

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan announced arrest warrants for all members not present at the second special session.

PHELAN: The sergeant at arms and any officers appointed by him are directed to send for all absentees whose attendance is not excused for the purpose of securing and maintaining their attendance under warrant of arrest if necessary.

Refusing to attend the legislative sessions is a violation of House rules, but not a criminal offense. Republican state Rep. Mayes Middleton explained, “People aren't going to jail, but they got to come back to work."

Democrats claim GOP-authored election legislation is voter suppression. Republicans say it’s designed to better secure future elections.

Another stifling heat wave slams the Pacific Northwest » Another stifling heat wave is slamming the Pacific Northwest.

Areas that usually enjoy mild summers will likely once again hit triple digits, including Portland, Oregon. Daniel Hartsock with the National Weather Service …

HARTSOCK: Thursday and Friday we’re looking at temperatures most likely between 100 and 105.

The average high temperature in Portland in August is 80 degrees.

The heat wave comes just over a month after another record-shattering heat wave.

It’s a big safety concern as many residents in that region don’t have air conditioning.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has declared a state of emergency. She’s activated an emergency operations center to watch for any problems with the power grid.

Russian government files new charges against Navalny » The Russian government Wednesday hit opposition leader Alexei Navalny with new criminal charges. WORLD’s Sarah Schweinsberg reports.

SARAH SCHWEINSBERG, REPORTER: Russian authorities are charging Navalny with creating a non-profit organization that the government claims infringes on people’s rights. That’s a criminal offense punishable by up to three years in prison.

Navalny's Foundation for Fighting Corruption launched 10 years ago. It has since published dozens of widely watched videos exposing the alleged corruption of senior government officials.

The government alleges the group incited Russians to “perform unlawful actions" by urging them to join unauthorized protests in January.

The 45-year-old Navalny is President Vladimir Putin’s most outspoken political critic. In February, a court ordered Navalny to serve 2½ years in prison on charges the U.S. State Dept. says were trumped up.

His arrest and jailing sparked a wave of mass protests in Russia.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Sarah Schweinsberg.

I'm Kent Covington. For more news, features, and analysis, visit us at wng.org.

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