Tuesday morning news - November 16, 2021

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kent Covington. 

Biden signs infrastructure bill into law » President Biden sat down at a desk on the White House lawn on Monday and took pen to paper, signing the bipartisan infrastructure bill into law.

BIDEN: Despite the cynics, Democrats and Republicans can come together and deliver results. We can do this!

A bipartisan group of lawmakers joined the president for the signing ceremony.

The president said the $1.2 trillion bill means an infusion of cash for roads, bridges, ports and more.

BIDEN: America’s moving again! And your life is going to change for the better!

The White House hopes the infrastructure win will help boost the president’s lagging poll numbers. In a new ABC News/Washington Post poll of almost 900 registered voters, only 38 percent approved of his job performance. 57 percent disapproved.

President Biden will now shift his attention to pushing a separate spending bill worth nearly $2-trillion dollars across the finish line. Republicans warn the extra spending will further fuel inflation. The White House says the additional trillions in spending will actually help to curb rising prices. But even some key Democratic lawmakers remain unconvinced.

Steve Bannon indicted on contempt charges » Steve Bannon, former adviser to President Trump, has surrendered to federal authorities to face contempt of Congress charges. Bannon turned himself in on Monday in Washington D.C. as reporters shouted questions.

AUDIO: [SOUND OF BANNON]

That after Bannon defied a subpoena from House lawmakers investigating the January Capitol riot. His attorney said a lawyer for Trump advised him not to answer questions from the House panel, citing executive privilege.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said the indictment reflects the Justice Department’s “steadfast commitment” to the rule of law.

For his part, Bannon told reporters Monday that he is—quote—“never going to back down.”

BANNON: Joe Biden ordered Merrick Garland to prosecute me from the White House lawn when he got off Marine One. And we’re going to go on the offense. We’re tired of playing defense. We’re going to go on the offense.

If convicted, Bannon could face 30 days to one year in prison plus fines for each count of contempt of Congress.

Democrat Beto O'Rourke running for Texas governor » Former Democratic Congressman Beto O’Rourke is running for governor of Texas.

O’ROURKE: And I want to win this with you and for you and for all the people of Texas.

His Monday announcement kicks off his third run for office in the last three election cycles.

O’Rourke quickly rose to national prominence in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary with a strong early showing. But he dropped out just eight months later as money and fanfare dried up.

He told supporters that flipping the red state blue will take a lot of hard work.

O’ROURKE: It's not going to be easy. But it is possible.

Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, is seeking re-election next year to a third term in office.

Jurors hear closing arguments in Rittenhouse case » Jurors in Kenosha, Wisconsin listened intently on Monday as the prosecution and the defense made their closing arguments in the Kyle Rittenhouse case.

BINGER: Under Wisconsin law, you’re not allowed to run around and point your gun at people. This is the provocation. This is what starts this incident.

Prosecutor Thomas Binger, heard there.

Rittenhouse’s lawyer, Mark Richards, said he never pointed his gun at anyone until multiple men started chasing him.

RICHARDS: He feared for his life. He feared because of the prior threats, the prior statements, and the violent acts that had been witnessed by my client.

Rittenhouse showed up in the streets of Kenosha last August carrying a semi-automatic rifle amid ongoing protests over a police shooting of a black man. Rittenhouse said he traveled to Kenosha from his home in Antioch, Illinois to protect area businesses from looters.

During a confrontation with several men, Rittenhouse fatally shot two people and wounded a third. He says it was self-defense.

Circuit Judge Bruce Schroeder explained Wisconsin’s self-defense law to the jury. He said a person may use deadly force...

SCHROEDER: …only if he reasonably believed the force used was necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to his own person.

Rittenhouse, now 18, faces five felony charges, including first-degree intentional homicide. If convicted of that charge, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

Earlier on Monday, the judge dismissed a misdemeanor weapons charge against Rittenhouse.

Austria locks down the unvaccinated » Austria took what its leader called a “dramatic" step on Monday, implementing a nationwide lockdown for those who are unvaccinated against COVID-19. WORLD’s Kristen Flavin has more.

KRISTEN FLAVIN, REPORTER: The lockdown applies to people 12 and older who haven’t been vaccinated or recently recovered from COVID-19. They are prohibited from leaving their homes except for basic activities such as work, school, or grocery shopping.

The lockdown will last until at least Nov. 24th.

Officials say police will be stepping up patrols. Violators could be fined up to almost 1,500 euros. That’s more than $1,600 dollars U.S.

Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg called it “a dramatic step.” It will impact about 2-million people. He said—quoting here—“My aim is very clearly to get the unvaccinated to get themselves vaccinated and not to lock down the vaccinated."

He said more vaccinations is the only way to curb the regional surge of the virus.

About 65 percent of Austria's population is fully vaccinated.

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

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