Deep Dive (Aug. 9): McConnell Signals Support for $1.3 Trillion Infrastructure Deal

Tiffany Meier
8/9/2021
Updated:
8/9/2021

The bipartisan infrastructure package is moving another step forward. The Senate voted to advance the $1 trillion infrastructure package Saturday. The chamber’s top Republican, Mitch McConnell, also signaled support for the bill. He said, “I hope senators can work together in a bipartisan way to get more amendments up and continue improving this important bill. Our colleagues on both sides deserve to be heard.” This comes as Senate Democrats unveil a $3.5 trillion budget resolution. The summary includes that it will invest in families, climate, health care, infrastructure, and jobs.

Gas prices have surged to a new seven-year high. While some experts predict they’ll come down soon, others expect more pain at the pump if crude oil prices rise. AAA says it expects gas prices to remain elevated at least through the beginning of August. A spokesperson says Americans are paying an average of 15 cents more to fill up since the beginning of May. She says August could see even higher gas prices if crude oil prices increase.

Debate is rising around Apple’s announcement to scan all iPhones in the United States for images of child abuse. The company’s software will try to match photos from Apple devices to those on a database from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Sen. Richard Blumenthal tweeted out, “Apple’s plans to combat child sexual exploitation are a welcome, innovative, and bold step.” But privacy advocates warn that, in the wrong hands, the technology could be used as a surveillance tool on a much broader range of targets.

Tune into Deep Dive as we explore these topics and more.

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Tiffany Meier is a New York-based reporter and host of NTD's "China in Focus."
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