10 Things in Politics: Biden’s big business romance

Good morning! Welcome back to 10 Things in Politics. I’m Brent Griffiths. Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox each day.

Send your tips and thoughts to [email protected] or tweet me @BrentGriffiths.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Big business, usually friendlier with conservatives, is cozying up to Biden and Democrats.
• Democrats suffered a major loss in their efforts to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
• The House voted to legal protections for LGBTQ Americans.

1. CORPORATE AMERICA AND DEMS’ COMPLICATED STATUS: Big business’ typical suitors are out of power, and its relationship with the Democrats is complicated. The two sides agree on some issues, like infrastructure investment and immigration reform. But splits are still apparent on raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, higher corporate taxes, and stricter environmental regulations.

• Some businesses are glad to see Trump gone: “Our companies have been very concerned about former President Trump’s rise in protectionism and chaotic governing,” said Nancy McLernon, president and CEO of the Global Business Alliance, which represents the domestic interests of 200 multinationals including BP, Honda, and Sony.

Our exclusive report looks at where Dems and Corporate America stand on five key areas.

Campaign cash carries the day: Biden accepted most of the up to $1 million in donations corporations could put toward his inauguration. A newly-formed dark-money group in support of Biden's agenda, which may or may not disclose its donors, will offer another avenue for business influence.

But Republicans say the fight isn't over: "Let's be clear: Republicans, not Democrats, cut taxes and burdensome regulations that held American businesses back for decades," said Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina who previously ran a consulting business.

Read the full report.

2. Democrats' "Fight for $15" just got a lot more complicated: The Senate Parliamentarian, an unelected, nonpartisan rules referee, handed down a long-expected ruling saying Democrats cannot include a $15 minimum wage increase as written in the massive $1.9 trillion relief package. (More on who that parliamentarian is here.)

• What this means: The White House has said it would not overrule the parliamentarian, so Democrats will have to be creative if they want to pass an increase that doesn't deprive the relief package of its fast-track status that will allow it to pass without any Republican support.
• What's next: Sen. Bernie Sanders said he's working on an amendment that would remove tax deductions "from large, profitable corporations" that don't pay their workers at least $15 per hour and provide incentives to small businesses to raise their wages. The House will still vote on the relief package later today. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the $15 minimum wage increase will stay in for now.

3. Biden ordered airstrikes against "Iranian-backed militant groups" in Syria: The strikes come after militants last week fired rockets that hit an Iraqi airbase used by the US military. That attack killed a US military contractor and wounded others. The strikes, according to defense officials, were primarily aimed at the militants' "infrastructure," not necessarily their personnel.

Read more on the operation and what it means as Biden tries to restart nuclear talks with Iran.

4. The House voted to expand legal protections for LGBTQ Americans: "The Equality Act amends existing civil rights law to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identification as protected characteristics," the Associated Press reports. "The protections would extend to employment, housing, loan applications, education, public accommodations, and other areas."

Just three Republicans joined Democrats in passing the bill. The White House has said the act is a top priority, but it faces a difficult path in the Senate.

5. Right-wing extremists "want to blow up the Capitol," police chief tells lawmakers: They want to attack when Biden gives his first address to a joint session of Congress, Yogananda Pittman testified. The Capitol Police now want to keep their enhanced security, which has included National Guard troops and a fence around the area. More details here.

6. Washington moves of the week: Former Trump staffers are finding new jobs in Washington. Top party committees are also gearing up for the midterms.

Erin Perrine joined Republican Sen. Ted Cruz's office. She previously worked on Trump's 2020 campaign. Mindy Myers, Tracey Lewis, and Sarah Callahan Zusi launched MZL Media, a Democratic consulting firm. Roger Lau, a Warren 2020 veteran, was named deputy executive director for the DNC.

As for federal agencies, Richard Sauber is now general counsel for the Department of Veterans Affairs; Mickeala Carter, a former Democratic Hill staffer, is the USDA's new deputy director of communications. And, finally, Susan Fox will become Disney's top lobbyist in Washington.

Read our complete, exclusive list of DC hirings.

• Want to see your name here too?: We've put together tips on how to work on the Hill, get a gig working in Washington at large, or land in the Biden administration. And don't forget to share your news with us!
• Looking for something different?: The Peace Corps' program is on pause, but they want to send volunteers back out as soon as it's safe. We have some exclusive advice on how you can get ready.

7. The top things for your calendar, all times Eastern:

• 11:00 a.m.: The White House's pandemic team holds a news briefing.
• 12:55 p.m.: Biden tours the Harris County Emergency Operations Center during a trip to Texas with the first lady.
• The House will vote on the $1.9 trillion relief plan.

8. A Manhattan prosecutor has Trump's taxes: The former president's long court fight ended with his turning over past tax returns to the Manhattan district attorney, shortly after the Supreme Court rejected a last-ditch effort.

Read our explainer on the "potential treasure trove" of information on Trump's financial dealings.

9. Wall Street had its worst sell-off since October: Tech stocks led the plunge as the 10-year Treasury yield spiked to its highest point in a year. The Dow closed down 1.76% (526 points), while the tech-heavy Nasdaq slid 3.52%. Experts say it's all about the bond market.

10. Sheer joy: Baarack was having a rough time before he was rescued. The domestic sheep was found in an Australian forest weighed down by 78 pounds of overgrown wool. He could barely see before, but he can "now see the world more clearly."

One last thing. 

Today's trivia question: In 1844, who sent the first telegraph from the original Supreme Court chambers in the US Capitol? Email your guess and a suggested question for Monday to me at [email protected].

• Yesterday's answer: The reverse of the $5 shows the Lincoln Memorial, which was dedicated in 1922. There were 48 states at the time, but only the front side of the memorial is shown. So, the answer was 26 states.

That's all for now! See you Monday.

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