Federal budget:Â The proposed federal budget released today by the Biden Administration for Fiscal Year 2024 calls for a deficit reduction of $3 trillion. Some tax subsidies for oil and gas companies would be eliminated, as would tax deferral on certain real estate transactions. High-income people would be subjected to a limit on how much they can keep in tax-deferred retirement accounts.
McConnell hospitalized:Â Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell tripped and fell while at a private dinner at a Washington hotel last night. McConnell, who is 81 years old, was hospitalized as a result of the accident.
Greene and Comer want jail visit:Â Far right-wing members of Congress Marjorie Taylor Greene and James Comer are trying to arrange for members of Congress to visit defendants in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol who are being held in jail. Greene alleges that they are political prisoners who are being subjected to human rights abuses. She wants all of the prisoners freed.
White House joins criticism of Carlson:Â The White House has joined the criticism of Fox News host Tucker Carlson who has been claiming that the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol did not take place and the pro-Trump mob that overran the building was just on a tourist visit. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said the White House agrees with the chief of the Capitol Police and the wide range of bipartisan lawmakers who have condemned Carlson’s whitewashing of the attempt to overthrow the government.
New Russian missile attacks:Â Russia launched a new wave of missile attacks on Ukraine today, hitting civilian targets and causing some fatalities. Russian missiles also were targeted at infrastructure and knocked out electrical power to a nuclear power plant. The nuclear plant had to use emergency backup generators to keep cooling systems operating.
Topol dies at 87:Â Israeli actor Chaim Topol, best known to American audiences for playing the role of Tevye in the movie musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” has died at age 87. The announcement of his death was made this morning in Tel Aviv. Topol also played the role of Tevye in stage productions of “Fiddler,” although Zero Mostel originated the role on Broadway.
Photo of Topol courtesy of United Artists
