Axios PM: “They dropped the ball”

Plus: Arrested for sneaking in | Monday, August 02, 2021

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Facebook   Axios PM By Mike Allen ·Aug 02, 2021 Good afternoon. Today's PM — edited by Kate Nocera — is 486 words, a 2-minute read. 🚨 Bulletin: Sen. Lindsey Graham announced he's tested positive for COVID, but says his symptoms are mild thanks to being vaccinated.     1 big thing: "They dropped the ball" Demonstrators listen last night as Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) protests at the Capitol against expiration of the eviction moratorium. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images   The White House and Democratic leaders have been dueling — publicly and privately — over who should take responsibility for extending an eviction moratorium, Axios' Jonathan Swan writes. Why it matters: It's a rare moment of dysfunction between the usually-in-lockstep Biden team and congressional leadership. The White House had said its hands were tied last month by the Supreme Court and that Congress must pass a bill to extend the ban on evictions, which expired this weekend. Democratic leaders contend that the Biden administration can and must extend the federal moratorium in place since last September. The latest: The White House shifted its position this afternoon, with Press Secretary Jen Psaki saying President Biden has asked federal agencies to explore all options for extending the ban. Between the lines: Democrats argue the CDC should just extend the eviction ban, even if it's likely the courts will overrule it. Progressives have been sounding the alarm. Last night, Democratic House leaders issued an unusual joint statement telling the administration that "action is needed." "They dropped the ball," said a senior Democratic aide, referring to the White House. "Throwing this to Congress on a Thursday before the House is leaving ... if this legal opinion was so clear, why didn't they call on Congress to do this when the Supreme Court ruled? That's sort of the inexplicable aspect to this." Between the lines: Contradictory statements between the White House and congressional leaders were common in the turbulent days of President Trump. But avoiding that dynamic has been a guiding mantra of this administration. Share this story.     2. Double gold, double joy Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi shares the gold medal in the high jump yesterday with Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar. Photo: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images   Friends and rivals Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy and Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar ended up sharing gold yesterday in the men's high jump final. It was an instantly iconic moment: The men were tied and officials explained to them they could have a jump-off to determine the winner. But Barshim asked the official, "Can we have two gold?" The official could barely answer before Tamberi and Barshim exploded in celebration. Watch the video. Photo: Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images Axios Olympics dashboard ... Medal tracker.     A message from Facebook The internet has changed a lot since 1996 - internet regulations should too     It's been 25 years since comprehensive internet regulations passed. See why we support updated regulations on key issues, including: Protecting people's privacy. Enabling safe and easy data portability between platforms. Preventing election interference. Reforming Section 230.     3. Catch up quick Wrecked cars washed through the streets by the flood of the Ahr River are collected today in Bad Neuenahr to be transported for scrapping. Photo: Thomas Frey/picture alliance via Getty Images   1. German prosecutors may open an investigation into failures by officials to properly warn people about the devastating floods, AP reports. 2. The ACLU is returning to court with the Biden administration over the continued use of Title 42, a Trump-era order citing coronavirus as a rationale to block migrants. 3. Target is reimposing its mask mandate for employees in high-risk counties.     4. 1 song thing: Arrested for sneaking in The Foo Fighters perform yesterday during Lollapalooza at Grant Park. Photo: Gary Miller/FilmMagic   19 people were arrested at Lollapalooza this weekend, per the Chicago Tribune. Most of the arrests were for trespassing attempts to the four-day music festival — celebrating its 30th anniversary. About 100,000 people attended per day, a huge turnout amid concerns over the Delta variant. Kenji Chan with Jxdn. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images     A message from Facebook Why Facebook supports updated internet regulations     2021 is the 25th anniversary of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the last major update to internet regulation. It's time for an update to set clear rules for addressing today's toughest challenges. See how we're taking action on key issues and why we support updated internet regulations.   Like this email style and format? Learn more about Axios HQ. It'll help you deliver employee communications more effectively.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here. 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: