Axios

The House Ethics Committee on Tuesday rejected three appeals by Republican lawmakers who were fined in May for going maskless on the House floor, upholding the $500 fines against them.

Driving the news: Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) were fined in May for repeatedly refusing to wear face masks in the presence of their colleagues.

Prominent labor groups are urging progressive House lawmakers to stifle their concerns about the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure deal and give it their full support.

Why it matters: Even if the package wins enough Republican support in the Senate, Democrats are growing increasingly concerned progressives in the House will sink the deal.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) introduced legislation on Tuesday that would require employers to give workers at least three days of paid time off after a pregnancy loss, failed adoption or surrogacy, unsuccessful fertility procedure, or related medical concern.

Why it matters: Between 10% and 20% of pregnancies confirmed by testing result in a miscarriage by 13 weeks, according to Kaiser Family Foundation. Estimates jump to 31–50% when accounting for people who miscarry without knowing they are pregnant.

The Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday announced new security regulations for pipeline operators in an effort to bolster their defenses against cyberattacks.

Why it matters: The latest order comes in response to the ransomware operation against Colonial Pipeline in May, which crippled the United States' fuel supply and set off gas shortages across several states.

A federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent who was on leave and planned to resign was arrested Tuesday for illegally entering Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, according to court filings.

Why it matters: Mark Sami Ibrahim is the first federal law enforcement officer charged in connection to the insurrection.

Former movie producer Harvey Weinstein on Tuesday was extradited to California from New York to face a second trial on rape and sexual assault charges.

The big picture: Weinstein was convicted in early 2020 and sentenced to 23 years in prison. He faces 11 counts of sexual assault-related charges in California for allegedly attacking five women between 2004 and 2013, per Reuters.

John Earnest pleaded guilty Tuesday to murder and other charges related to a deadly shooting at a synagogue in Southern California, AP reports.

The big picture: Under the conditional plea, Earnest agreed to serve a life sentence in prison without the eligibility for parole. His sentencing is slated to take place on Sept. 30.

Real estate investor Tom Barrack, a longtime ally of former President Trump who chaired his 2017 inaugural fund, was arrested Tuesday and charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent for the United Arab Emirates, the Department of Justice announced.

Why it matters: The DOJ said Barrack attempted to advance the interests of the UAE by influencing the foreign policy positions of Trump's campaign in 2016 and, subsequently, the foreign policy positions of the U.S. government in the incoming administration.

Jonathan Kanter, an antitrust veteran who is a favorite of progressives, is the Biden administration's choice to lead the Department of Justice's antitrust section as it pursues a raft of cases against tech giants, the White House announced Tuesday.

Why it matters: The nomination completes a trifecta of wins for Democrats who want to see the standards for holding tech companies accountable for monopolistic behavior broaden beyond the traditional "consumer harm" measure.

Press secretary Jen Psaki on Tuesday confirmed that there have been multiple breakthrough coronavirus cases among White House staffers.

Driving the news: Her comments come after Axios first reported that a White House official and a staff member for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) tested positive for COVID-19 after attending the same reception last week

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Anthony Fauci accused each other of lying at a Senate hearing on Tuesday, amid yet another clash over whether the National Institutes of Health funded risky "gain-of-function" research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Why it matters: It was a remarkable exchange between the U.S. government's top infectious diseases expert and a prominent Republican senator — an outburst that followed more than a year of tensions and two previous confrontations in hearings related to COVID-19.

Jeff Bezos awarded CNN commentator Van Jones and chef José Andrés $100 million each on Tuesday as part of a new initiative called the "courage and civility award."

Driving the news: Jones and Andrés will be able to give the award money to a charity of their choice, Bezos said during a press conference to commemorate Blue Origin's trip to space. The Amazon founder suggested he could hand out more awards in the future.

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) got his first dose of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine Sunday, calling it "safe and effective," Nola reports.

Driving the news: Scalise said that his decision to get vaccinated was driven by the spread of the Delta variant, which he noted was "aggressive" as well as a recent spike in case numbers.

The more transmissible Delta variant now accounts for 83% of COVID-19 cases in the United States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Rochelle Walensky said during a Senate hearing Tuesday.

Why it matters: The "dramatic increase," up from 50% on July 3, has led to a rise in virus-related deaths, Walensky told lawmakers.

A White House official and a staff member for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) have both tested positive for COVID-19 after attending the same reception last week, officials confirmed to Axios.

Why it matters: While both individuals are vaccinated and mildly symptomatic, they illustrate how Americans inoculated against the coronavirus can still contract and, potentially, unknowingly transmit the virus — even at the highest levels of the nation's government.

New York reached a $1.1 billion settlement on Tuesday with three of the country's largest drug distributors for their alleged role in the opioid epidemic, New York Attorney General Letitia James said.

The big picture: The settlement comes as the three companies — McKesson, Cardinal Health, and Amerisource Bergen — as well as Johnson & Johnson near a $26 billion deal with states and municipalities that would settle thousands of lawsuits related to the opioid crisis, the New York Times reports.

Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes announced Tuesday that he'll be joining the Democratic primary race for Senate, a seat currently held by Republican Sen. Ron Johnson.

Why it matters: Barnes, 34, could become the first African American from Wisconsin to serve in the Senate, if elected, AP notes.

Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) unveiled legislation on Monday that would levy a fee on imported carbon-intensive goods, such as steel and aluminum.

Why it matters: The "border carbon adjustment," which is expected to be included in the legislative text of the Democrats-only infrastructure bill that would move through the reconciliation process, uses trade policy to help address climate change.

Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) unveiled draft legislation Tuesday intended to overhaul the role of Congress in national security matters, including by reclaiming authority on war powers, arms exports and national emergency declarations.

Why it matters: All three senators have been critical of the executive branch's unilateral decision-making on key national security issues, including both President Trump and President Biden's attacks against Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria without congressional authorization.

Most Americans who still aren't vaccinated say nothing — not their own doctor administering it, a favorite celebrity's endorsement or even paid time off — is likely to make them get the shot, according to the latest installment of the Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index.

Why it matters: The findings are more sobering evidence of just how tough it may be to reach herd immunity in the U.S. But they also offer a roadmap for trying — the public health equivalent of, "So you're telling me there's a chance."

Fox News host Sean Hannity implored viewers on his show Monday night to "please take COVID seriously" and get vaccinated against the virus.

Why it matters: Fox News has been criticized for views expressed by some personalities on its network who've been accused of spreading pandemic misinformation as they railed against health precautions.

A sixth member of the Texas Democratic delegation that fled their state for D.C. in an effort to block a state GOP voting bill has tested positive for COVID-19, the Dallas Morning News first reported Monday night.

What they're saying: State Rep. Rafael Anchia told the outlet that all 55 members of the delegation had been observing CDC guidelines, adding: "We're grateful that 100% of us were vaccinated in advance…. This delta variant is no joke."

A New York man was sentenced to 18 months in prison on Monday for threatening to kill the judge overseeing the criminal case against Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn, per the Washington Post.

Driving the news: Frank Caporusso pleaded guilty last April to leaving a threatening message on the voice mailbox of U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan over Flynn's case in May 2020.

Twitter announced Monday that it's suspending the account of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) for 12 hours.

Driving the news: "We took enforcement action on the account you referenced (@mtgreenee) for violations of the Twitter Rules, specifically the COVID-19 misleading information policy," Twitter said in an emailed statement.

Peru's electoral authority declared socialist Pedro Castillo "president-elect" Monday night after he won the country's presidential election, per Reuters.

Driving the news: The 51-year-old son of peasant farmers narrowly beat the daughter of a conservative former president known for being part of the country's elite, the New York Times reports.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) vowed Monday to appeal a court ruling in favor of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention restrictions on cruise ships.

Why it matters: The cruise industry is worth billions of dollars for Florida's economy and DeSantis filed a lawsuit against the CDC last April in an effort to see normal operations resume.

Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, a leader of the right-wing extremist Proud Boys group, pleaded guilty Monday to burning a Black Lives Matter banner stolen from a historic Black church in Washington, D.C., during a pro-Trump demonstration, the Washington Post reports.

Driving the news: Tarrio, 37, admitted to committing destruction of property and attempting to possess a high-capacity ammunition magazine. Under a deal with prosecutors, the latter charge was reduced from illegal possession of such magazines.

Senate Democrats are debating lowering the Medicare eligibility age as part of the $3.5-trillion "soft" infrastructure package, at the risk of jeopardizing centrist support for a measure being pushed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Why it matters: Giving Americans over age 60 access to Medicare would force Democrats to either add an estimated $200 billion to their overall infrastructure price tag or cut other progressive priorities currently in the package.

Members of the House are forming alliances and gearing for battle while waiting for the Senate to work out final details of an infrastructure deal.

Why it matters: The lower chamber has been on the sidelines during its two-week recess, yet representatives have been watching senators carefully in anticipation of their own debate on the measures that will be shipped their way.

The fate of roughly 80,000 people who applied for but hadn't been approved for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program rests with Congress — and the Senate parliamentarian.

Why it matters: A federal judge Friday blocked roughly 500,000 to 700,000 unauthorized immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from participating in DACA and receiving its deportation protections. Nothing changed — for now — for the more than 600,000 active DACA recipients.

Republicans are all over the map about how their party should proceed on the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure proposal.

What we're hearing: GOP strategists tell Axios they've struggled over not only whether they support the current Senate negotiations but how to message off the broader infrastructure debate.