The Economist’s Most Recent News on US Politics
TL/DR –
The US Senate has passed four key bills concerning Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and national security, which are now pending President Joe Biden’s signature. An approved measure targets TikTok, with its Chinese owner ByteDance given nine months to sell to non-Chinese ownership or shut down operations in the US. Further, the Federal Trade Commission has voted to virtually ban non-compete clauses in contracts, the Biden administration will mandate overtime pay for salaried workers earning up to $58,656 by January, and a $139 million settlement has been reached with victims of Larry Nassar, a former USA gymnastics doctor convicted of sexual assault.
Four bills including Ukraine funding signed by Biden
Four bills addressing funding for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and other national-security objectives have passed the Senate, heading to President Biden for approval. The $1bn aid package for Ukraine, part of a wider $61bn package, features urgently-needed weaponry such as artillery ammunition and anti-tank munitions. Learn more about this here.
TikTok faces US Senate crackdown
The Senate has approved measures targeting TikTok, with Chinese owner ByteDance given a nine-month deadline to sell to non-Chinese ownership or cease operations in the US. The move, which ByteDance describers as a “clear violation of First Amendment rights”, is expected to lead to legal pushback from the firm. More about ByteDance’s position here.
FTC votes against non-compete clauses
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has voted to practically ban non-compete clauses, agreements that restrict employees from joining rival firms. As per FTC, such clauses, affecting about one in five workers across professions, are anticompetitive and suppress wages. However, legal challenges are expected from business circles. Know more here.
New overtime pay rule to benefit four million Americans
Federally mandated overtime pay will be extended to salaried employees earning up to $58,656 by January, under a new Labour Department rule announced by the Biden administration. This change is expected to impact approximately four million Americans, raising the salary threshold from $35,568.
$139 million settlement in Larry Nassar sexual assault cases
The Department of Justice has reached a $139m settlement with 139 victims of sexual assault by former Team USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. The victims allege the FBI had failed to properly investigate accusations against Nassar, who is presently serving a lengthy sentence for exploiting his role to abuse female athletes.
Trump trial update
In the ongoing Trump trial, Judge Juan Merchan heard allegations that former President Trump violated a gag order through derogatory comments about potential witnesses. The defense tried to label these comments as political speech, a claim that didn’t impress Merchan. The hearing will continue on Thursday.
Both US and China must address fentanyl crisis
Journalist Josephine Ma states in the South China Morning Post that both the US and China must work collaboratively to tackle America’s fentanyl problem. Precursor chemicals used to produce fentanyl are being smuggled from China by Mexican cartels, exacerbating the crisis.
Trump still a contender against Biden
Despite his controversial actions, Donald Trump is still polling on par with Joe Biden, according to conservative strategist Sarah Longwell. The election outcome will be determined by “double-haters”, those skeptical of both Biden and Trump. Longwell discusses how Biden could win their support here.
Russian assets frozen by Western governments
$282bn, the total value of Russian assets frozen by Western governments, could be used to assist Ukraine, as per a Biden administration official. Get the full story here.
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