Zelensky Urges Faster NATO Action on Air Defense Missiles 
Rubio, UK’s Miliband Stress Stronger European Security Role in Washington Talks 
North Korea May Deploy 120 Missiles to Russia 
Bezalel Smotrich Faces Election Battle as Israel’s Far-Right Vote Fractures 
Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Democratic Senate Primary, Sets Up Key Midterm Showdown 
US Expects Iran-Oman Hormuz Shipping Deal Soon 
Russia Intensifies Drone and Bomb Attacks on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia, Deepening Civilian Fear 
Senate Majority Leader John Thune Moves to Advance Crypto Clarity Act 
US Expands Social Media Vetting to Foreign Journalists Seeking Visas 
Joe Biden’s Prostate Cancer Has Spread Further, Hunter Biden Says 
Russian Strikes Kill Six in Eastern and Northern Ukraine, Dozens Injured 
Trump Faces Tough Choices as Iran War Drags On 
Germany Warns of Daily Hybrid Warfare Threats 
Taiwan President Lai Oversees Coastal Strike Drills in Han Kuang War Games 
Mark Carney Jokes About Teleprompter, Takes Swipe at Trump 
US-Backed Venezuela Government, Opposition Talks Begin 
Congressional Democrats are still in the midst of negotiations as both chambers have yet to pass two infrastructure bills that make up US President Joe Biden’s economic agenda. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke with one of the two Democratic holdouts of the bills, senator Kyrsten Sinema, regarding the prescription drug pricing provisions.
CNN reports that Pelosi spoke with Sinema discussed the issue of prescription drug pricing over the weekend. This comes as Democrats in both chambers look to pass not just the bipartisan infrastructure bill but also the social spending bill that would have provisions for climate change, care for children and families, as well as healthcare. Sinema and West Virginia senator Joe Manchin, along with unanimous Republican opposition, pose a challenge in the slim majorities of the Democratic party.
Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders said Sunday that he was working on a provision to include in the Democratic-led social infrastructure bill to lower prices of prescription drugs. Sinema has opposed reducing prescription drug prices.
The proposal that would allow for lower prescription drug prices was not included in the social infrastructure bill.
Pelosi and most of the Congressional Democrats remain determined to pass both bills together. Progressive Democrats have previously warned that they would oppose the bipartisan infrastructure bill if the social spending bill is not passed along with it. The bipartisan bill awaits a House vote after having already passed the Senate.
Bloomberg reports that Pelosi plans to move forward with a House vote this week on both bills despite Manchin’s criticisms of not knowing the full cost and economic impact. None of the key Democrats whose votes are needed to pass the bill have threatened to block the passage of the proposal. Pelosi also looks to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill before she leaves for Glasgow along with other members of Congress that make up the US congressional delegation at the COP26 climate change summit.
“We’re on course to pass our bill,” Pelosi said Monday night regarding the social infrastructure bill.
Rules Committee chair Rep. Jim McGovern said his committee would likely be meeting Wednesday to discuss the parameters of the floor debate on the tax and social spending bill.
