As always, Washington has been hectic. Here is what you need to know in a snapshot. 

On Nov. 15, President Joe Biden held a virtual summit with Xi Jinping, President of China. The summit focused on creating a more hospitable relationship between the two world powers. It has been no secret that the United States and China have been fiercely competing for hegemony in recent decades. China’s rapid economic growth has been nothing short of astonishing. To be frank, it is daunting. 

The competition between the two powers will not stop or slow down soon. However, the summit was designed for the two countries to lay out an approach where responsible competition can happen. China has been at the forefront of Biden’s foreign policy, but this is the first time the two leaders are meeting in person since Biden was elected. The U.S. has been trying to get China to play by international rules and norms that everyone has to follow for years. Will this summit be the moment that China begins to be an international asset instead of a liability? Unlikely, but this could be the first step in the two countries building a more compatible relationship where the needed change could happen. Time will tell if Biden can do what past Presidents have failed to do.

Last week, Judge Tanya S. Chutkan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia rejected former President Donald Trump’s bid to keep his papers secret about his behavior and conservations before the event of Jan. 6. While the ruling will be appealed the historical precedent is not on Trump’s side. Congressman Bennie Thompson is right in saying, “Throughout our country’s history, the executive branch has provided Congress with testimony and information when it has been in the public interest.” There is a public interest in finding out what happened that day. When the National Archives will turn over the paperwork is yet to be seen, but it appears that the American people are going to see what was said leading up to the events of Jan. 6, 2021.

The October Consumer Price Index sent off warning signs across the country this past week. The Price Index showed that prices had increased by 6.2% in October, the highest rate of inflation since 1990. To say that Biden and his administration are worried would be a gross understatement. To understand the implications of the cost of living increasing by so much does not take a degree from the London School of Economics. People do not like spending more on goods than they have in the past. The reality is that after a recession of the magnitude caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be inflation as the market returns to normalcy. That is not the problem for the Biden administration.

The issue facing the Biden administration is how long prices will be this high and how they can calm American nerves. In theory, prices will return to the normal rate after the supply chains can catch up and meet the high demands made by the consumer. As manufacturers return to their output levels seen before the pandemic, they should be able to meet the demand that has created higher prices. As Republicans have noted, this could be an omen for something worse.

The quick increase of the Price Index could drastically change the expectations of consumers and businesses across the country theoretically creating a scenario where the higher prices we see today are here to stay. Which scenario will happen will be debated by economists and politicians until we know for sure. Still, Biden will have to respond. Most Americans vote with their wallet, especially when their wallet is hurting. Midterms are coming, and if Biden cannot reverse the trend or calm American nerves, there will be cataclysmic losses in congressional, gubernatorial and local races for the Democratic Party.

As always, Washington has been hectic. Here’s what you need to know in a snapshot.

This past week, Steve Bannon, former advisor to President Donald Trump, was held in contempt by the House of Representatives. Bannon had refused to appear in Congress after being subpoenaed by the commission investigating the insurrection on the United States Capital in January of last year. It is now up to the office of the U.S. Attorney  in the District of Columbia to go forward with any prosecution.

Bannon’s behavior is disappointing to say the least. No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, Bannon’s behavior is sophomoric and unacceptable. No one is above the law in this country. It is time that some people realize this truth and act in the wellbeing of the American people. If he had nothing to hide, why is he desperately trying to avoid giving testimony?

This past week, former President Trump announced the creation of his own social media platform. TRUTH social is expected to be released in a beta version this November and in full in 2022. Trump has hinted towards the creation of his own social media platform going back to March of 2021. The platform claims to foster an environment where nothing will be censored – allegedly complete free speech. However, the terms and service agreement of the platform bans negative comments about the site and its leadership.

The impact of Trump’s social media platform will not be known for some time. It will be interesting to see how it competes against social media giants like Twitter and Facebook. I believe that Trump’s social media platform will garner a large following from his conservative base. For years, Republicans have claimed that conservative voices have been silenced by the mainstream media. It is easy to forget that Trump had 74 million people vote for him in 2020. Trump’s base is as strong as ever and it is a safe bet to assume that they will support the former President on his new social media platform. 

It appears that the Democrats are close to deciding on acceptable language for President Biden’s Social Safety Net Bill. On Sunday, Oct. 24, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced that she expected Democrats to have an agreement on the plan within the week. The bill is the centerpiece of the Biden Administration’s domestic policy. The 10-year plan would bring sweeping change across the country. It includes universal pre-kindergarten, an extension of the child tax credit for at least one year, childcare and home care and $150-200 billion for housing. The original price tag was $3.5 trillion, but after debate within the Democratic party, the likely final number will be $1.9 trillion. 

If Biden can have this bill passed, it would be a legacy moment for his presidency. His first ten months have been lackluster. His approval rating is averaging at 43%. A struggling economy along with a disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan has fueled doubt in him. From a political perspective, Biden and the Democrats need a win. Midterms are coming and there will be a drastic transition of legislative power if something does not happen. The importance of this bill to Biden and the Democrats grows every day that the economy continues to struggle. 

Photos taken by Mykala Crews.