The New White House Tries to Forge Its Future – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - April 11, 2021

The New White House Tries to Forge Its Future – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - April 11, 2021

A busy time in the world of politics this week. Nearly three months into his term, President Joe Biden is trying to make his legislative and Oval Office imprint on the political scene. It’s ambitious, but potentially filled with speed bumps along the way. Let’s “brunch” on that this week:

 

“Ready, Aim, Fire!” – President Biden wants to do something about gun violence in America but is impatient for Congress to act. So, this past week he signed several Executive Orders regarding guns. “Gun violence in this country is an epidemic, and it’s an international embarrassment,” Biden said from the White House. He added, “The idea that we have so many people dying every single day from gun violence in America is a blemish on our character as nation.” The initiatives came after two more cases of mass shooting this week, (one before and one after the Biden orders).

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“So, What’s in the Plan?” – First, the president came out with measures against so-called “Ghost Gun.” They are guns people can order in parts and assemble at home, but they do not contain serial numbers. My question is, how extensive and pervasive is this problem? I’ve covered crime for years as a reporter, and this is honestly the first I’ve heard of the problem. Biden also told the Justice Department to create a new rule regulating a steadying device that can turn a pistol into a short-barreled rifle. Again, I’m in the news business, (and spent a year working as a Congressional Aide), and never knew this to be a big problem, until now. I mean I know about bump stocks, and 30-capaity magazines, and devices to make a semi-automatic weapon, into fully automatic, but these latest twists are new. And if they are new to me, chances are they are new to the viewing public.

 

“Nibbling Around the Edges” – I don’t mean to be cynical, but I know there’s very little any president can do about gun control, especially by Executive Order. It’s really a question of Congress passing laws, and then the judiciary reviewing if they pass Constitutional muster. “We’ve got a long way to go,” Biden said. “It seems like we always have a long way to go.”

 

“What Say the Opponents at the National Rifle Association?” – For certain there will be push back from gun rights groups. “These actions could require Americans to surrender lawful property, push states to expand confiscation orders, and put a gun control lobbyist to head ATF,” the National Rifle Association said in a tweet. “Biden is dismantling the 2nd Amendment.” In fairness, there’s a lot of bluster there. The federal courts, especially the U.S. Supreme Court, continue to give wide-ranging support to Second Amendment rights.

 

“From King Joe to Hurricane Joe” – For the past several weeks I have written extensively about the power being wielded by Senator Joe Manchin (D) West Virginia. With the Senate split 50-50, Manchin has upset the balance of power by often voting against his party line. Now, he’s poised to do it again. Manchin has deep concerns about President Biden’s $2.6 trillion dollar Infrastructure bill. Yes, he says we need the roads fixed, “We know we have infrastructure needs. We have deferred maintenance that's been going on for far too long. And we rob Peter to pay Paul continuously, just to keep the potholes patched. It's time to have a 5 to 6-year planning for our infrastructure."

 

“But… Wait Just a Minute!" – Yes, he wants to fix roads, but there are dealbreakers in this bill for Manchin. First off, it proposes to raise the corporate income tax from 21 to 28 percent. It once was at 35 percent. Manchin wants a compromise to keep the U.S. competitive saying, "25 is a national rate and it should be an international rate." If not, he’s a no and the Infrastructure Bill is dead. But he did extend an olive branch. "We need to have all the input we can from all 100 Senators, the majority and the minority. And right now, we're split 50-50. So, let's get the input from everybody, to look at infrastructure,” he said. Back to the gun control issue for a moment, Manchin has already said he can’t back a background check expansion bill passed by the House, essentially rendering it dead in the Senate. Again, he the most critical vote on Capitol Hill.

 

“A Prince of a Leader” – Prince Phillip the Duke of Edinburgh, and the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, died Friday just two months shy of his 100th birthday. I admired him for his quiet dignity, and his restraint. Given all the turmoil over the years, he never wavered in his loyalty to family and country. I bet he’s the longest serving “First Gentleman” in world politics. Do you realize since February 1952 when Elizabeth assumed the throne, we’ve had 14 U.S. Presidents and eight Popes! In that time, there has been only one Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip. What a remarkable run, for him, and at 95 she’s not done yet.

 

What are your thoughts on the politics of late, especially President Biden’s attempts at gun control? Leave a comment below.

Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is the Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations serving West Virginia, its five neighboring states, and all of the Washington, DC media market. He is also a MINDSETTER contributor for www.GoLocalProv.com and its affiliates.