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| | A wild night at the Oscars | President Biden is expected to unveil a new budget proposal, this year's Oscar winners and more news to start your Monday. | | |
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Good morning, Daily Briefing readers! President Joe Biden is expected to unveil a new budget proposal that includes a minimum tax of 20% on the wealthiest Americans. The special House committee investigating the Capitol attack is set to vote on whether to cite two top aides to former President Donald Trump with criminal contempt. And, "CODA" from Apple TV+ won best picture at the Oscars – but Will Smith slapping Chris Rock onstage grabbed all the buzz. |
It's John, subbing in for Jane and Steve. Here's where things stand this morning: |
Jan. 6 committee sets contempt vote for ex-Trump aides Navarro, Scavino |
A special House committee investigating the Capitol attack set a Monday vote on whether to cite two top aides to former President Donald Trump with criminal contempt . Peter Navarro, a former senior trade adviser, and Dan Scavino, a ex-deputy chief of staff, are the latest targets of the Jan. 6 panel, which has demanded testimony and documents from a number of top ex-administration officials. A subpoena had been issued for Scavino last fall, while Navarro was issued a summons last month. Committee Chair Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., has said Navarro "hasn't been shy" about his role in attempting to overturn the election results and referenced Trump's support for his plans in his own book. Scavino remained close to Trump during the run-up to Jan. 6, and records show, "Scavino was tweeting messages from the White House on January 6, 2021," the committee said. Navarro said in a text message that "President Trump has invoked executive privilege and it is not my privilege to waive." Navarro and Scavino have been uncooperative in the congressional probe, according to a committee report released Sunday night, the Associated Press reported. |
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Biden budget seeks minimum tax on households worth $100M |
President Joe Biden is expected to unveil a new budget proposal on Monday , which includes a renewed focus on cutting the federal deficit and a populist proposal to increase taxes on the wealthiest Americans. If approved by Congress — far from a certainty — households worth more than $100 million would have to pay a minimum tax of 20% on their earnings. The added revenue could help keep the deficit in check and finance some of Biden's domestic priorities, including expanded safety net programs. There are few if any signs of Republican support for the proposal so far, and even some Democrats have been lukewarm to the idea. Biden's case isn't helped by his approval ratings. A slim 34% of Americans think Biden is doing a good job handling the economy, according to a poll released Thursday by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. |
'CODA,' Will Smith and Jessica Chastain get big wins at Oscars |
The heartwarming Apple TV+ dramedy "CODA" took home best picture at the 94th Academy Awards Sunday while Will Smith and Jessica Chastain each took home top acting awards. Smith won his first Academy Award, winning best actor for his role in "King Richard," where he played Richard Williams, the father of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams. But the moment everyone will be talking about from the Oscars: Chris Rock made a joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who suffers from alopecia and was rocking a shaved head to the event. Smith proceeded to storm on stage and slap Rock . A tearful Smith later apologized to the audience. Like Smith, Chastain claimed her first-ever Oscar, winning best actress for her role as Tammy Faye Bakker in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye." For Netflix's "Power of the Dog," which entered the night with 12 nominations, Jane Campion took home the award for best director. To see all the winners from Sunday's ceremony see our roundup. |
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Public tours returning to US Capitol for first time since the pandemic |
The U.S. Capitol will reopen to the public Monday for guided tours , two years after the coronavirus pandemic halted the visits. Tours will only be available for limited groups of people who have registered in advance, congressional officials said. The move, announced last week, marked Congress' latest relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, with Republicans pushing for more aggressive easing than Democrats. Mask requirements inside the Capitol were relaxed weeks ago, and the adjacent Capitol Visitor Center is tentatively set to reopen to limited numbers of visitors on May 30. |
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| The Rotunda of the Capitol in Washington is seen June 30, 2021. | Alex Brandon, AP | |
Another sign the pandemic is easing: Free ice cream |
Dairy Queen's Free Cone Day, typically held at the start of spring but canceled the last two years amid COVID-19, is back on Monday. In 2020, Dairy Queen "postponed" Free Cone Day but didn't reschedule; last year, the promotion was canceled as the chain said the day is known for attracting "long lines at our restaurants." This year, DQ is giving away free small vanilla soft-serve cones Monday while supplies last. There is a limit of one free cone per person. Mall locations are not participating, and the offer is not valid on digital or delivery orders. |
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| Dairy Queen's Free Cone Day has traditionally been held on the first day of spring. | Dairy Queen | |
Contributing: The Associated Press |
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