Axios Sneak Peek: Texas Democrat — Close border to some minors ... 5 questions we’d like to ask Biden

Plus: Gun control groups join fight to end filibuster | Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Facebook   Axios Sneak Peek By Alayna Treene, Hans Nichols and Kadia Goba ·Mar 24, 2021 Welcome back to Sneak. The administration tried to defuse tomorrow's first presidential news conference with a flurry of border-related actions throughout today. 🚨 Breaking: Rachel Levine was approved as assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services, making her the first openly transgender official ever confirmed by the Senate. Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined all Senate Democrats in voting yes. ⚡ Situational Awareness: Attorney and former ambassador Norm Eisen told CNN today about new voter registration challenges: "In the United States, it's the voters who pick their politicians — not the other way around." Axios Latino, a collaboration with Noticias Telemundo, launches tomorrow. Sign up here to keep tabs on stories on both sides of the border affecting the U.S. Latino community. 📚 Worthy of your time: Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), who represents part of Silicon Valley, spoke with our Dan Primack for an Axios Re:Cap episode setting up tomorrow's Big Tech hearing on Capitol Hill. Today's newsletter — edited by Glen Johnson — is 549 words, a 2-minute read.     1 big thing: Texas Democrat — Close border to some minors Rep. Filemon Vela (D-Texas). Photo: Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images   Rep. Filemon Vela, a Texas Democrat and early supporter of President Biden, is urging the White House to adopt a short-term solution to the migration surge in his district: turn away older teenagers, Axios' Hans Nichols and Kadia Goba report. Why it matters: It's another indication the current situation at the U.S.-Mexico border isn't politically or logistically tenable — especially for the people living there. "There is no perfect fix here," said Vela, who announced his retirement on Tuesday. "However, we are in the middle of a pandemic, and our systems are being overwhelmed." Rep. Henry Cuellar, another Texas Democrat with a border district, told Axios it's something the administration at least "needs to have a conversation among themselves about," especially given the high percentage of kids crossing the border who are 16 and 17 years old. Go deeper.     2. 5 questions we'd like to ask Biden President-elect Joe Biden listens to a reporter's question during his last formal news conference on Jan. 8. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images   Five questions Axios' Glen Johnson and Margaret Talev would like to ask Biden at Thursday's presser: Do you take some responsibility for inadvertently fueling the hopes of migrants now trying to enter the U.S. without permission, and where do you see the line between leading with humanity and securing the nation's borders? You've pledged to seek common ground with Republicans and Democrats, but bottom line: Do you now support fully ending the legislative filibuster if it could enable you to pass voting rights protections and gun control measures that won't happen otherwise? How will the IRS tax Bitcoin if used as a medium of exchange, as Elon Musk is suggesting by accepting Bitcoin for Teslas? Do you stand by your past comments that Chinese President Xi Jinping is a "thug" and Russian President Vladimir Putin's a "killer?" And what's your red line on China when it comes to Taiwan: If they invade, will we attack? You committed this week to elevate more Asian American Pacific Islanders to high-level positions in your administration. Why did it take the tragic shooting in Atlanta and an ultimatum by two Asian American lawmakers to yield such a commitment?     3. Pro-Trump group accused of illegally shielding donors Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios   A legal complaint against a prominent pro-Trump group will test new standards for so-called dark money groups that have the potential to reshape the nation's campaign finance landscape, Axios' Lachlan Markay reports. Why it matters: The groups, politically active nonprofits, funneled more than $1 billion in untraceable cash into the 2020 elections. A landmark 2018 court ruling triggered new donor disclosure requirements, but few groups have modified their behavior. What's new: A complaint filed Tuesday accuses Turning Point Action, the activist arm of pro-Trump youth group Turning Point USA, of illegally concealing the donors behind canvassing campaigns in last year's presidential election and January's Senate contests in Georgia. Turning Point flatly denies the allegations. But its defense appears to rely on a legal standard for politically active nonprofits recently struck down in federal court. Go deeper.     A message from Facebook It's time to update internet regulations     The internet has changed a lot in the 25 years since lawmakers last passed comprehensive internet regulations. It's time for an update. See how we're making progress on key issues and why we support updated regulations to set clear rules for addressing today's toughest challenges.     4. Gun control groups join fight against filibuster A hearse carries the body of Police Officer Eric Talley, killed in the mass shooting in Boulder, Colorado. Photo: Chet Strange/Getty Images   Gun control groups are joining the progressive fight to end the filibuster as the Senate voting rule threatens their goal of passing comprehensive gun reform, Axios' Sarah Mucha reports. Why it matters: The House recently passed two gun bills but neither stand a chance of getting the 60 votes needed in the 50-50 Senate. Senate Democrats have already been talking about getting rid of the filibuster to pass other legislation through a simple 51-vote majority. Two mass shootings in one week have renewed the urgency for gun control among advocacy groups, which are pushing the White House and Congress for immediate action. What they're saying: "We didn't do all this work in 2020, tell all of our youth activists to get out and vote, to get nothing done," Max Markham, policy director at March for Our Lives, told Axios. Go deeper. Worthy of your time: "Colorado shooting reminds Kelly of Giffords attack."     5. Pic du jour Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images   U.S. women's national soccer team members Margaret Purce (left) and Megan Rapinoe speak in the Brady Briefing Room before an Equal Pay Day event at the White House.     A message from Facebook Facebook supports updated internet regulations     It's been 25 years since comprehensive internet regulations passed. But a lot has changed since 1996. See how we're taking action and why we support updated regulations to address today's toughest challenges — protecting privacy, fighting misinformation, reforming Section 230, and more.   This newsletter is written in Smart Brevity®. Learn how your team can communicate in the same smart, clear style with Axios HQ.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: