Morning Headlines - Monday, Aug. 8, 2022 | Recent News

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Senate Democrats Send Their Big Tax, Climate Package To House: Five Takeaways

Senate Democrats after a very long series of votes have approved a massive $740 billion bill that will make significant investments in climate change while lowering the price of prescription drugs and taking steps toward a more equitable tax code.

That the Senate was able to get the bill done is somewhat of a surprise if you look back to December 2021, when Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) appeared to torpedo the efforts with an announcement on Fox News that he could not support the measure because of inflation.

It was just the first time Manchin appeared to kill the bill, only for him to save it with a last-minute deal with Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) late last month that caught most of Washington and the nation by surprise.

The package now moves to the House, where it is expected to be approved despite opposition from Republicans and some disappointment from Democrats about its size.

Here are five takeaways.

Republicans Say Democrats Will ‘Pay The Price’ In Midterms For Passing Massive Spending Bill

Republicans on Sunday heaped scorn on Democrats for passing a multibillion-dollar economic package, warning that it would come back to haunt them in the November midterms.

"Democrats will pay the price in November for raising taxes on families during a recession," Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement.

Her statement reflects criticism among Republicans that the Inflation Reduction Act will do the opposite of its intended purpose.

In a statement, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, likened the bill to a "give-away to the Democrats’ radical leftist base at the expense of middle-class Americans."

North Carolina Sheriff Stocking Schools With AR-15 Rifles

When schools in one North Carolina county reopen later this month, new security measures will include stocking AR-15 rifles for school resource officers to use in the event of an active shooter.

Spurred by the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that left 19 children and two teachers dead in May, school officials and Madison County Sheriff Buddy Harwood have placed one of the semiautomatic rifles in each of the county's six schools. Each of the guns will be locked inside a safe, Harwood said.

Why Generic Drugmakers Oppose Dems' Drug Pricing Bill

Generic drugmakers are warning that Democrats' plan to let Medicare to negotiate the prices of drugs may undercut competition from lower-cost copycats, inject massive uncertainty into their market and may forfeit potential long-term savings.

Experts say the concern about downstream effects on generics is valid and point to larger questions about whether the overriding focus on negotiating prices skews drug development over time.

The Senate on Sunday passed a $740 billion tax, climate and health care package, making good on longstanding promises to lower the cost of prescription drugs.

Roger E. Mosley, ‘Magnum, P.I.’ Star, Dies After Car Crash

Roger E. Mosley, an actor who appeared in the iconic 1980s crime drama “Magnum, P.I.,” died Sunday due to injuries suffered in a car accident last week, his daughter announced. He was 83.

Mosley, who played helicopter pilot Theodore “TC” Calvin on the hit series, died surrounded by family. He had been paralyzed from the shoulders down and in critical condition since the crash.

Trump Touts Michels At Waukesha Rally In Republican Fray Over Wisconsin's Primary For Governor

The 2022 Republican race for governor of Wisconsin has shaped up as a high-profile state-level proxy fight between former President Donald Trump and his estranged former Vice President Mike Pence, with each throwing their support to different candidates.

GOP Seeking Power Over Elections In Wisconsin, Minnesota

Wisconsin’s secretary of state has no role in elections, but that could change if Republicans are able to flip the seat this year and pass a law that would empower the office with far more responsibilities.

All three GOP candidates competing for the nomination in Tuesday’s primary support the shift and echo former President Donald Trump’s false claims that fraud cost him the 2020 election.

Wisconsin Lawmakers Weigh In On Senate Approval Of Inflation Reduction Act Of 2022

Wisconsin's senators are weighing in on the Senate's approval of an estimated $740 billion package, also known as the Inflation Reduction Act.

The package consists of efforts to reduce inflation, slow global warming and adjust health care policy.

Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) voted against the package.

Rep. Tom Tiffany Signals Support For 20-Week Federal Abortion Ban

A conservative Wisconsin congressman hinted that he would support a federal law banning abortion after 20 weeks, calling it a "commonsense" policy.

In the same interview, Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst, said it is "proper" for states to decide on abortion restrictions for themselves.

Tiffany spoke on Wisconsin Public Radio's "Route 51" show ahead of Tuesday's primary, in which he faces an unfunded and mostly unknown Republican candidate in the 7th Congressional District. In response to a question about whether he would favor "a federal law as it relates to abortion access," Tiffany talked about voting in favor of a 20-week abortion ban while he was a state legislator. Republican Gov. Scott Walker signed that bill into law in 2015.

It’s Official – Milwaukee Will Host 2024 Republican National Convention

It’s the MKE for the RNC. Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel on Friday announced Milwaukee will host the party’s 2024 National Convention.

“The next two years we look forward to working with the mayor and everyone in the community to make this an event that not only highlights the RNC and our nominee for 2024 but highlights the great city that Milwaukee is,” McDaniel said.