The NPR Politics Podcast Derailed By Immigration Fight, COVID Funding May Have To Wait Weeks
Apr 6, 2022
A bipartisan battle over immigration is holding up a crucial $10 billion COVID aid package as the Senate prepares for a break. The Biden administration's plans to lift Title 42 face opposition, complicating the political landscape ahead of elections. Meanwhile, new sanctions against Russia are being implemented, but the effectiveness remains in question as fossil fuel purchases from Europe stay largely unaffected. The discussions reveal the challenges facing both domestic policy and international relations in a rapidly changing world.
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Title 42's Political Impact
- Title 42, a public health measure, was used to control immigration during the pandemic.
- Republicans and some Democrats want to keep Title 42, creating a political challenge for the Biden administration.
Uncertainty at the Border
- The Biden administration hasn't announced a plan for the border after Title 42 expires.
- This lack of a plan worries some Senate Democrats, especially those facing re-election.
New Sanctions on Russia
- New sanctions target Russia's major financial institutions, limiting transactions with U.S. entities.
- They also prevent Russia from using frozen funds to pay debts, increasing the risk of default.