Senate Republicans Who Go Along With Democrats’ Spending Wish List Are Playing Right Into Biden’s Hands

The Senate GOP’s refusal to force a Democrat reconciliation with crises created by Biden means Republicans are playing into Democrats' hands.
American Babies Need Not Apply | 5/13/22

American Babies Need Not Apply | 5/13/22

Biden requests $2.6 billion from Congress to fund global gender equity programs



President Joe Biden is requesting $2.6 billion to fund gender equity programs across the globe.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, reported The Hill, to commemorate International Women’s Day.

The $2.6 billion will be part of the Biden administration’s 2023 congressional budget request and, if approved, will double the amount requested for gender equity programs last year.

In a prepared statement, Biden said, “On this day and every day, let us recognize that all of us have a better future when women and girls can reach their full potential – and together, let’s renew our efforts to advance dignity, equality, and limitless possibilities for all.”

Biden affirmed that International Women’s Day recognizes the achievements of women and girls and celebrates progress in gender equity. The president also recommitted himself and his administration to work that he says still needs to be done to achieve gender equity.

He said, “Ensuring that every woman and girl has that chance isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s also a strategic imperative that advances the prosperity, stability, and security of our nation and the world. Yet too often, in too many places, women and girls face obstacles that limit their possibilities and undermine their participation in economic, political, and social life.”

Biden stated that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated many existing issues that women face on a regular basis. He suggested that women’s participation in the work force declined, that additional burden was placed upon caregivers, and that gender-based violence increased.

The president’s announcement marks the one-year anniversary of the administration debuting the White House Gender Policy Council.

The White House announced the $2.6 billion over a livestreamed video conference to commemorate International Women’s Day, U.S. News reported.

The conference featured Secretary of State Antony Blinken, acting budget director Shalanda Young, U.S. Agency for International Development administrator Samantha Power, and the director of the Gender Policy Council, Jen Klein.

First lady Jill Biden, who was also present, marked International Women’s Day by making a video tribute to women throughout the world “who courageously use their voice, no matter the cost.”

She said, “To our sisters from Ukraine who are fighting to keep their country free and their families alive: We stand with you in solidarity. To our sister in Russia who are protesting and speaking out against the invasion at great personal risk: We see your courage.”

“And to women warriors around the world, those fighting for justice and working for a change: Thank you for building a better future for all of us,” the first lady added.

Pfizer and Moderna expected to earn billions from COVID-19 booster shots



Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna are forecasted to earn billions in sales from COVID-19 booster shots, Reuters reported, citing analysts and health care investors.

The vaccine makers have been saying that fully vaccinated people are expected to need booster shots as protection from initial doses of their shots diminish — and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday OK'd boosters of both vaccines for people with compromised immune systems.

Big bottom lines

Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna have nabbed over $60 billion in combined sales for the COVID-19 shots for 2021 and 2022, the outlet reported, adding that revenue generators include supplies of the initial two vaccine doses as well as potential boosters for wealthy nations.

More from Reuters:

Going forward, analysts have forecast revenue of over $6.6 billion for the Pfizer/BioNTech shot and $7.6 billion for Moderna in 2023, mostly from booster sales. They eventually see the annual market settling at around $5 billion or higher, with additional drugmakers competing for those sales.

The vaccine makers say that evidence of waning antibody levels in vaccinated people after six months, as well as an increasing rate of breakthrough infections in countries hit by the Delta variant, support the need for booster shots.

Some early data suggests that the Moderna vaccine, which delivers a higher dose at the outset, may be more durable than Pfizer's shot, but more research is needed to determine whether that is influenced by the age or underlying health of the people vaccinated.

As a result, it is far from clear how many people will need boosters, and how often. The profit potential of booster shots may be limited by the number of competitors who enter the market. In addition, some scientists question whether there is enough evidence that boosters are needed, particularly for younger, healthy people. The World Health Organization has asked governments to hold off on booster shots until more people worldwide receive their initial doses.

"We don't know what the market forces will be," Moderna President Stephen Hoge said in an interview last week, the outlet reported. "At some point, this will become a more traditional market — we'll look at what are the populations at risk, what value are we creating, and what are the number of products that serve that value. That will ultimately impact price."

Reuters said Pfizer declined to comment for its story, but the outlet noted that the drug company's executives have said they believe a third dose will be necessary six to eight months after initial vaccination — and then regularly afterward.

You can read the rest of the Reuters report here.