Three things for November 23
1. US to release 50 million barrels of oil
This morning, President Joe Biden ordered 50 million barrels of oil be released from America’s strategic reserve to help bring down energy costs, in coordination with other major energy-consuming nations, including China, India and the United Kingdom.
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
According to AP News, the move is aimed at global energy markets but also at U.S. voters who are coping with higher inflation and rising prices ahead of Thanksgiving and winter holiday travel. Gasoline prices are at about $3.40 a gallon, more than 50% higher than a year ago, according to the American Automobile Association.
The actions are unlikely to immediately bring down gas prices significantly as families begin traveling for the holidays. Administration officials noted gasoline usually responds at a lag to changes in oil prices, and they suggested this is one of several steps in ultimately bringing down costs.
For more information, read the full AP News article.
2. Kamala Harris temporarily acts as president for 85 minutes
On Friday, Nov. 19, President Joe Biden temporarily transferred power to Vice President Kamala Harris while he was under anesthesia for a routine colonoscopy for one hour and 25 minutes.
(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
The nation’s first female, first Black and first South Asian vice president broke yet another barrier when she temporarily stepped into the acting role. Harris worked from her office in the West Wing while Biden was under anesthesia, according to CNN.
It is routine for a vice president to assume presidential powers while the president undergoes a medical procedure that requires anesthesia. Then-Vice President Dick Cheney did so on multiple occasions when then-President George W. Bush underwent routine colonoscopies.
To officially transfer the presidential powers to Harris, Biden sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the president pro tempore of the Senate, before going under anesthesia.
In order to transfer the powers back to Biden, a separate letter was sent after the procedure.
“In accordance with the provisions of section 3 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, I hereby transmit to you my written declaration that I am able to discharge the powers and duties of the Office of the President of the United States and that I am resuming those powers and duties,” the letter, which was sent to both Pelosi and Leahy, reads.
3. Car drives through parade in Wisconsin
On Sunday, Nov. 21, an SUV rammed into civilians during a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin. According to local police, at least five people were killed, and at least 48 were injured.
People gather in Waukesha's Cutler Park for a candlelight vigil for those affected by the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy, Monday, Nov. 22, 2021 in Waukesha, Wis. (Scott Ash/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP)
Police identified those killed as Virginia Sorenson, 79; LeAnna Owen, 71; Tamara Durand, 52; and Wilhelm Hospel, 81, according to AP News. The three women were members of the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies, a marching, dancing holiday fixture in Wisconsin for nearly 40 years.
Darrell Brooks Jr. was suspected and charged with five counts of intentional homicide. Police concluded there was no evidence the incident was terrorist-related.
