| Sen. Kyrsten Sinema might be the moderate Democrat to watch in the Senate; Portugal has the highest Covid-19 death rate in the world. Tonight's Sentences was written by Gabby Birenbaum. | | | | | | | Sinema says no to the $15 minimum wage | | | | | Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images | | - In an interview with Politico's Burgess Everett, Kyrsten Sinema made clear that while she keeps quieter than fellow moderate Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin, she will be stalwart in her opposition to some of Democrats' more progressive goals. [Politico / Burgess Everett]
- In her time in the House and the Senate, this is the first year Sinema has served in the majority — and she is intent not just on maintaining the filibuster but restoring the 60-vote filibuster threshold for all Senate business as a means of encouraging bipartisanship. [Politico / Burgess Everett]
- Her differences from the majority of the Democratic caucus are perhaps most notable as they relate to the $15 minimum wage — although the House will include it in their relief bill, Sinema said she will oppose any non-relief focused measure in the bill, calling the minimum wage push inappropriate for budget reconciliation. [Axios]
- Her opposition essentially sinks the policy's chance of passing. Democrats would need all 50 senators in their caucus to agree with both a $15 minimum wage and passing it using budget reconciliation. [Newsweek / Natalie Colarossi]
- The minimum wage is not the only issue on which Sinema has bucked the majority of her party. Earlier this month, Sinema and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), who flipped a seat in 2020, voted for an amendment that excludes undocumented immigrants from receiving stimulus checks. [Phoenix New Times / Josh Kelety]
- For now, Sinema and Kelly are keeping their focus narrow to pass coronavirus relief. But their disagreements with some of the bill's more progressive measures could hold it up. [Arizona Republic / Yvonne Wingett Sanchez]
- Sinema and Kelly are the first Democratic duo to represent Arizona in the Senate since the early 1950s. Their moderate stances presents a paradox in which their victories in purple Arizona were made possible by the state's large independent population but powered by a strong effort from progressives and immigration activists. [NYT / Jennifer Medina]
| | | Portugal leads the world in Covid-19 death rates | | - Portugal's Covid-19 case rates are falling after a peak last month threatened to overwhelm the country's health system, but the Iberian nation still leads the world with an average of 2.05 deaths per 100,000 people. [AP / Helena Alves]
- Health officials in the country are recommending Portugal remain in lockdown until Easter. The country of 10 million people has experienced over 770,000 cases. [Euronews]
- Germany has sent medical personnel to assist Portugal with the outbreak, as it did for Italy nearly a year ago. [BBC News / Alison Roberts]
- Meanwhile, new variants are threatening the rest of Europe. In a mountainous state in Austria, a total lockdown has been imposed after an outbreak of the highly contagious South African variant. [CNN / Nadine Schmidt]
- The UK variant, which also appears more contagious than the dominant strain, has already spread across the United Kingdom and could soon become significant around the world, potentially undermining vaccine campaigns. [MarketWatch / Ciara Linnane]
| | | | | | | | | [Washington Post / Ann E. Marimow] - An advocacy group has filed a lawsuit against the New York City subway system for allegedly disproportionately targeting people experiencing homelessness through arrest. [NYT / Andy Newman]
- To address its personnel disparities, the Defense Department has created a new position: senior advisor for human capital, diversity, equity, and inclusion. [Vox / Alex Ward]
- Thirty-six of the 37 contestants on Matt James's season of The Bachelor shared a statement denouncing host Chris Harrison's defense of frontrunner contestant Rachael Kirkconnell's past racist statements. [Vulture / Charlotte Walsh]
| | | | | | | | | | | | | "In short, this unprecedented effort is not about Democrats opposing political violence. It is about Democrats trying to disqualify their political opposition. It is constitutional cancel culture." | | | | | | | | | | | Zack, Jenn, and Alex discuss the huge farmers' protests in India. They explain the very real policy debate over new agricultural reform laws that sparked the protests, and how that debate has now been obscured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist politics, international celebrity activism, and online trolls. Oh, and they talk about Rihanna. Yes, that Rihanna. [Spotify / Zack Beauchamp, Jenn Williams, and Alex Ward] | | | | | | | | |  | This email was sent to edwardlorilla1986.paxforex@blogger.com. Manage your email preferences, or unsubscribe to stop receiving all emails from Vox. If you value Vox's unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring contribution. Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036.
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