Three things for February 5
1. Trump refuses to testify at impeachment trial
On Thursday, the House impeachment managers requested that former President Trump testify under oath for his Senate impeachment trial. A letter was sent to the former president by lead impeachment manager Rep. Jamie Raskin, asking Trump to testify about his actions prior to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Trump’s team quickly took action and said the former president will not testify. According to AP News, Trump is being charged with inciting an insurrection. Although the House cannot force Trump to testify, they can use his refusal against him as they debate whether or not the former president is guilty of his actions. Trump will also go down as the first president to be impeached twice.
Trump’s attorney’s stated he “performed admirably in his role as president, at all times doing what he thought was in the best interests of the American people.”
The Senate trial will begin Feb. 9.
2. Nashville waits to distribute COVID vaccines to those younger than 75
On Thursday, Feb. 4, the Tennessean reported Tennessee is lowering the age to get the COVID vaccine to 70 years old. Nashville is waiting to distribute the vaccine to people under 75 years old.
Officials are working daily to contact and distribute the vaccination to hundreds of individuals. The health department urges people to be patient and wait for their turn. According to the Tennessean, 1,200 people were contacted this week, and 40% said they already received their COVID shot from other counties.
Even though supplies remain limited, the number of distributed vaccines continues to rise. The number of doses went from 7,300 to 9,000 this week. Nashville plans to distribute the vaccine to teaching professionals next.
“The amount we can expect to receive each week can change on a daily basis, but we hope it continues to grow,” Mayor John Cooper said Thursday. “And we will continue to use every dose we receive as soon as we receive it. Metro is committed to making sure that everyone in our community has access to the vaccine."
3. Democrats pressure Biden to cancel student loan debt
On Thursday, a group of Democratic leaders came together to discuss canceling federal student loan debt. Democratic House members urged President Biden to use his executive order to enact this legislation. The resolution calls for $50,000 worth of loans to be wiped out for all borrowers. This also allows for the suspension of loan payments and interests for the duration of the pandemic.
A press conference was held to discuss the matter with the public. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Representative Ayanna Pressly, Alma Adams, Ilhan Omar and many more attended the conference. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also joined the conference.
“Cancelling student loan debt is good for you whether you have student loan debt or not because it is good for our economy,” Warren said
President Biden has already taken action in pausing payment for student loans due to Covid-19.
