Biden poised to tap Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo to lead Commerce Department
President-elect Joe Biden is expected to nominate Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo as commerce secretary, two people familiar with the matter say, in a round of Cabinet positions that could be announced on Friday.
Raimondo is the first woman governor of Rhode Island, and has served in the role since her election in 2014. She was among the women considered to serve as Biden’s vice president, and has been praised for her leadership amid the coronavirus pandemic.
She is currently under quarantine after a close contact tested positive for Covid-19, but that is expected to end Friday. Like other nominees who are near Biden, she would have to test negative to be at any announcement event with him.
FAIRFIELD-SUISUN, CALIFORNIA
Democrat leads in one Georgia Senate runoff, while other race is neck and neck [Los Angeles Times :: BC-ELN-GASENATE-2ND-LEDE:LA]
ATLANTA With control of the U.S. Senate and large parts of President-elect Joe Biden’s agenda hanging in the balance, Georgia’s fiercely-fought Senate runoff elections remained too close to call early Wednesday morning with 97% of the estimated vote counted.
By midnight Eastern time, Democrat Rev. Raphael Warnock held a slim 50.4% to 49.6% lead over Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler. Republican David Perdue, whose Senate term officially expired Jan. 3, was neck and neck with Jon Ossoff, with both candidates at 50%.
Terry Wiley, Diane Becton, Paul Henderson
The California Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) submitted the names of three accomplished African American attorneys to the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) as possible candidates for the state’s soon-to-be open Attorney General position.
In a 46-page document that includes biographical data of the organization’s recommendations, CABL called on Black members of the state Legislature to support attorneys Diane Becton, Paul Henderson or Terry Wiley to become the next Attorney General. The group also forwarded the proposal listing the candidates they are supporting – all public servants with significant experience to Gov. Gavin Newsom.
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They argue that the department violated federal law, including the Energy Policy Conservation Act, by exempting the newly created class of dishwashers from federal efficiency standards. In addition, such appliances would use more electricity per cycle and thus cost more to run, said the lawsuits.
“As millions of Americans across the country struggle to pay their electricity bills, the Trump administration chooses to dismantle cost-saving energy efficiency standards,” Mr. Becerra said in a statement. “The goal of today’s lawsuit is simple: hold the Department of Energy accountable for its unlawful action and safeguard a program that saves consumers money and decreases pollution to our environment.”