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During a press conference at the conclusion on the NATO summit in Brussels on Monday, President Biden commented on party politics calling the Republican Party vastly diminished in numbers, its leadership fractured and that the Trump wing of the party is the bulk of the party but it makes up a significant minority of the American people.

- Here at this meeting and earlier at the G7, you've said several times that America is back at allies side, but a lot of those allies are themselves pretty rattled by what happened on January 6 and attempted overturning of your election. And they may still be alarmed by the continued hold that Donald Trump has over the Republican party and the rise of nationalist figures like him around the world. What do you say to those allies? What have you been saying to them at these meetings about how the next president of the United States can keep any promises you make?

JOE BIDEN: What I'm saying is to them is watch me. I mean, I'm not saying anything, quite frankly. I'm just going out.

People, as I've said before, I don't doubt that I mean what I say. And they believe that I keep my commitments when I say it. I'm not making any promises to anyone that I don't believe are overwhelmingly likely to be kept.

I think that we're at a moment where-- I mean, let me put it this way. You may have had a different view, but I think an awful lot of people thought that my showing up at the G7 would not produce any kind of enthusiasm about American leadership and about where America was.

I would suggest that it didn't turn out that way. I would suggest that there is the a-- the leaders I'm dealing with in NATO and the G7 are leaders who know our recent history, know generically the character of the American people, and know where the vast center of the public stands, not Democrat Republican, but who we are. We're a decent, honorable nation. And I think that they have seen things happen as we have that shocked them and surprised them that could have happened, but I think they, like I do, believe the American people are not going to sustain that kind of behavior.

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And so I-- you know, I don't want to get into these statistics, because, you know, that old phrase [INAUDIBLE] there's three kinds of lies, lies, damn lies, and statistics. But I think it's appropriate to say that the Republican party is vastly diminished in numbers. The leadership of the Republican Party is fractured.

And the Trump wing of the party is the bulk of the party, but it makes up a significant minority of the American people. I think it is a shock and surprise that what's happened in terms of the consequence of President Trump's phony populism has, has happened. And it is disappointing that so many of my Republican colleagues in the Senate, who I know know better, have been reluctant to take on, for example, an investigation, because they're worried about being primaried.

But at the end of the day, we've been through periods like this in American history before, where there has been this reluctance to take a chance on your re-election because of the nature of your party's politics at the moment. I think this is passing. I don't mean easily passing.

That's why it's so important that I succeed in my agenda, the agenda whether it's dealing with the vaccine, the economy, infrastructure. It's important that we demonstrate we can make progress and continue to make progress. And I think we're going to be able to do that. So as I said, the proof will be in where it is, you know, six months from now, where we are, but I think you're going to see that there's-- that God willing, we're going to be making progress. And there's going to be a coalescing of a lot of Republicans, particularly younger Republicans, who are coming up in the party.

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Biden calls the Republican Party vastly diminished in numbers and its leadership fractured - Yahoo News

Oakmont survey launched

An Oakmont survey to help craft a comprehensive plan was recently launched on the boroughs website, oakmontborough.com.

Questions include: What do you value most about Oakmont? If you were thinking about living or starting a business in Oakmont today, what is it about the community that makes it an easy decision?

There is no deadline to fill out the survey.

Republican committee to meet

The Plum Borough Republican Committee (PBRC) will meet at Palmieris Restaurant on 951 Old Frankstown Road in Plum on June 17 at 7 p.m.

The featured guest speaker will be Elizabeth Stelle, director of policy analysis at the Commonwealth Foundation. This meeting is open to all registered Republicans and provides a forum to meet with candidates, discuss issues, exchange ideas and enjoy fellowship.

For more information, call 724-787-8673, email sdschlauch@gmail.com or send a message to PBRC, PO Box 14244, Plum, PA 15239. Visit their Facebook page at Plum Boro Republican Party and website at plumrepublicans.org.

Student news

Joshua Boland, biology; Caitlyn Chirdon, middle grade education; Daniel Cocca, computer systems; Karen Dopico, history education; Madelaine Quarles, psychology; Michael Schollaert, communication; Thomas Krusinski, information systems; and Marina Paulone, psychology, were named to the deans list of Saint Vincent College for the spring 2021 semester. In order to qualify for the deans list, a student must achieve a semester GPA of 3.5 or better out of a possible 4.0.

Tanner Conklin, business administration, has been named to the deans list for the spring 2021 semester at Baldwin Wallace University. Any full-time student who achieves a GPA of at least 3.6 for 12 or more graded hours or part-time student who achieves a GPA of at least 3.6 for six or more graded hours in the fall or spring semester is placed on the deans list.

Ian Dryburgh Jr. was recently hired as Treasury Management Intern at Dollar Bank. He is a rising junior and business/finance major at the University of Pittsburgh Business School. He was named to the deans list for the fourth consecutive semester with a 3.9 overall GPA.

Vanessa Adams, Arthur Bash, Michela Beattie, Ellison Bellinotti, Jocelyn Bentley, Skyler Bisceglia, Derek Brewer, Matthew Brown, Wyatt Carter, Hanna Clarke, Drew Confer, Shane Copeland, Angela Dawson, Emily DeMarco, Amber Delahunty, Dominic Delvecchio, Danielle Delvecchio, Griffin Dent, Daniel Dinatale, Hunter Fields, Cailey Flemm, Lucas Gildea, Alexander Giles, Nicholas Glass, Zachary Harden, Rylee Hepler, Sarah Herwald, Lawrence Hill, Katie Holler, Erin Huff, Kaylee Johnson, Alexis Jones, Alana Jump, Connor Karkowsky, Jake Lewis, Sommer Lewis, Mitchell Loedding, Angela Malak, Tara Marcyjanik, Julia McAfee, Daniel McCarthy, Jeremiah McClain, Madison Mercurio, Cameron Meyers, Lauren Mock, Dominic Ray, Tyler Ruggiero, Aidan Sames, Olivia Shirley, Stephanie Skeba, Alyssa Snyder, Alexa Sorch, Samantha Stapf, Miranda Stiffey, Jeremy Stirland, Giavonna Tavella, Jacob Tecak, Francis Teichman, Miles Tush, Tyler Vaill, Meghan Walker, Alexis Waltz, Morgan Weeter and Domenic Zottola have been named to the deans list at Slippery Rock University for the Spring 2021 semester. The deans list consists of SRU undergraduate students who earned an adjusted semester GPA of 3.5 or higher, based on a schedule of at least 12 newly attempted and earned credits.

Shea Lynch was named to the spring 2021 deans list at Lincoln Memorial University. To be placed on the deans list, a student must be a full-time undergraduate student and have a 3.5 or higher GPA for the semester.

Movie in the Park

Plums Movie in the Park returns to Larry Mills Park this summer. Movies are being planned for July 10 and Aug. 14. Times may vary.

Plum Rotary will provide free popcorn. There also will be activities before the screening.

Go to plumboro.com for more information.

Plums Monday Market

The Monday Market is every Monday through Oct. 25 from 3 to 7 p.m. There is no market on July 5 and Labor Day.

The Market is located at Plum Creek Park (Plum Baseball Fields), 1040 Ross Hollow Road.

Holiday Park firefighters golf outing

Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department will host a golf tournament July 25 at Meadowink Golf Course, 4076 Bulltown Road in Murrysville.

Registration opens at 7 a.m. Putting green and driving range opens at 8. Shotgun start is at 9.

Other activities include a Chinese auction, competition on designated holes, prizes, box lunch on the course, steak dinner and more.

Cost is $125 per person or $450 per foursome if signed as a group.

Event is limited to 144 competitors. Sponsorship packages are available. They range from $250 to $2,500.

Email fundraising@holiday parkvfd.org for more information.

Womens Business Network

The Womens Business Network is an award-winning business association that supports the success and growth of women in business. All professional women are welcome to attend a meeting at no cost. Many meetings are being held virtually, please check with the local chapter representative for more information. To learn more, visit wbninc.com.

The Monroeville Chapter holds meetings on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. The next meeting will be June 23 and will feature a two-part event that includes a virtual morning meeting and an outdoor, socially distanced tour of two historic houses built in the early 1800s that will include a boxed dinner. For more information, contact Chapter Representative Jo Luncher at 412-372-3411 or jo@anywhere-travel.net.

The Allegheny Valley Chapter meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 8 a.m. The next meeting is June 17. To RSVP or for more information, contact Susan Kinger at 412-782-4848 or skinger607@dollarbank.com.

The All Virtual Chapter holds meetings via Zoom on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, contact chapter representative Jennifer Pasquale at 412-908-1663.

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In brief: Oakmont survey launched, Republican committee meeting and more in Plum, Oakmont - TribLIVE

Senate Tax Committee Chairwoman Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) today announced a deal has been struck on a bipartisan $944 million tax bill aimed at jumpstarting the economy and helping workers and small business owners recover from COVID-19.

All year, the Senate Tax committee has focused on nimble, good tax and fiscal policies that empower Minnesota families and grow economic activity, said Sen. Nelson. Minnesotans should be thrilled with this bipartisan agreement that puts their needs first. This bill provides millions of dollars in tax relief, so individuals can keep more of their hard-earned dollars and provide a spark to our economy.

The bill empowers Minnesotans and encourages economic growth with two top priorities for workers championed by Senate Republicans all year: full conformity to federal tax rules for the forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans many businesses used to survive the COVID-19 pandemic, and full conformity for federal pandemic unemployment benefits up to $10,200.

There is simply no reason why we should ask folks to pay taxes on this emergency assistance, Sen. Nelson added. Businesses relied on these loans to keep people employed during the worst of the pandemic, and many of them are still struggling. Individuals were forced off the job through no fault of their own, and they depended on the extra unemployment to help make ends meet. Providing this protection is one of the most important things we can do to help employees and employers recover from pandemic-induced economic hardship.

The bill also lowers statewide property taxes for job creators by increasing the statewide property tax exclusion from $100,000 to $150,000. The bill also replenishes $491 million that was borrowed from the state budget reserve two years ago, and provides relief to Minnesota contractors for their June accelerated sales tax payments.

Other highlights of the bill:

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Republican and Democrat legislators reach agreement on tax bill to provide meaningful relief for Minnesota families and businesses - Minnesota Senate...

A week after House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy gambled he could unify his caucus by ousting a prominent critic of former President Donald Trump, a new Trump-inspired rift has raised questions about his leadership.

Thirty-five Republican representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives - or one out of every six - joined the 219 majority Democrats in voting to create a bipartisan commission to investigate the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot, when hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the building, fighting with police and leaving five people dead.

That was more than three times as many Republicans as voted in January to hold Trump's second impeachment trial, on a charge of inciting insurrection.

The vote followed a series of gyrations in which McCarthy gave Representative John Katko the go-ahead to negotiate the bipartisan deal, then rejected it after it became public and tried to persuade his fellow Republicans to vote against it.

The vote would appear to weaken McCarthy, a California lawmaker who hopes to become speaker of the 435-member House if his party can assemble a majority with just five more seats in the November 2022 congressional election.

Loyal to Trump, McCarthy, 56, with 14 years in Washington, last week led his party in ousting Representative Liz Cheney from a House leadership role for denouncing Trump's false claim his election defeat was the result of fraud.

"Representative McCarthy may have put his own ambition above loyalty to our Constitution," said party strategist Kevin Kellems. "It eventually will harm him and his followers."

McCarthy himself denied any loss to his leadership. When asked where the Cheney ouster and commission vote left him, he said: "Just stronger."

He told reporters that he had expected a larger number of Republicans to break ranks.

Several Republicans who spoke on condition of anonymity said they had not expected a commission deal that would reach the House floor.

Some lamented that the deal between Katko and Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, a Democrat, had not been put to a party conference vote before a final agreement.

"It would have been good for us to have voted on it," Representative Thomas Massie, a staunch conservative, said without mentioning McCarthy.

Republican hopes of blocking the bipartisan commission now rest with McCarthy's Senate counterpart, Mitch McConnell, who has also come out against it. McConnell has the easier job, as that 100-member chamber's rules require 60 votes to advance most legislation, meaning 10 Senate Republicans would have to break with their party to pass it.

U.S. President Donald Trump, flanked by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), participates in a roundtable discussion about trade in Duluth, Minnesota, U.S. June 20, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

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Republicans worry the commission would keep public attention on the violence that played out in the Capitol after a fiery speech by Trump filled with falsehoods, and could reveal new details about Trump's handling of the response that might sour voters on Republicans.

EYES ON SPEAKER'S GAVEL

With a Democrat in the White House, history favors Republican chances of breaking Democrats' 219-211 majority in the House in the 2022 midterm election.

McCarthy, who has spent a decade in the upper echelon of House Republican leadership, has been sharply criticized for voting to block Democratic President Joe Biden's election, reversing course after saying Trump bore responsibility for the Capitol attack and visiting the former president at his Florida resort in a move seen as helping to rehabilitate Trump's image in the aftermath of the violence.

He justified the ouster of Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, as an effort to forge party unity.

Multiple Republicans defended McCarthy's position.

"Kevin puts the team first. This is a difficult and stressful time. I think he's making the best decisions that anyone could make in a super-charged atmosphere," said Representative Tom Cole.

But Republicans who oppose Trump criticized the action, saying it cemented the former president's hold over the caucus.

They voiced concern that the vote could undermine hopes of capturing the House majority in 2022, if it leads Trump-inspired primary challengers to unseat incumbents in swing districts where many voters dislike the former president.

Republicans who voted for the commission included lawmakers such as Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa, who won a contested election by just six votes, and Don Bacon, whose Nebraska district chose Biden over Trump in November by 52% to 46%.

"What it really boils down to is how President Trump is going to react to Republicans supporting this measure," said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean. "If they don't show Trump that they're against this, there's potentially going to be issues for many Republicans in their primaries."

Trump in a Thursday statement lashed out at what he called "35 wayward Republicans."

Sometimes there are consequences to being ineffective and weak, Trump said. The voters understand!

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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House Republican votes for U.S. Capitol riot plan a blow to Kevin McCarthy - Reuters

Millions of unemployed workers face hardship after a wave of Republican governors announced they will seek to cancel federal extended unemployment benefits of $300 a week in response to claims from the restaurant, food service and hospitality industries that they are experiencing difficulties in hiring workers.

At least 22 Republican-led states have announced plans to cancel the extended benefits, including Montana, South Carolina, Alabama, Iowa, Idaho, Missouri, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Indiana, New Hampshire, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Ohio, Utah, Alaska, Georgia, West Virginia, Texas and Arizona.

The cancellations will affect more than 3.6 million workers currently relying on unemployment benefits by either wiping out or severely cutting their pay.

The American Rescue Plan signed by Joe Biden authorized federal pandemic unemployment benefits until 6 September, but these states are opting to end benefits early, beginning in June.

Nequia Nichole Fugate worked in childcare in Jefferson county, Tennessee, before the coronavirus shutdowns hit last March. She has relied on pandemic unemployment assistance as the parents she provided childcare for cannot afford childcare services at the moment.

Im really anxious and in a panic since the announcement from the governor. I cant believe this would happen during a pandemic, these benefits were the only thing helping me get by, said Fugate.

She added: Im going to be without a phone, a car, gas, groceries and money to pay for my medication. Im currently in between housing as well. Everyone has just been surviving the best they can. A majority of us dont have medical insurance, let alone a safety net of savings to fall back on. Stimulus checks have been spent on necessities, funds are lower than when the pandemic started. The struggle is real out here.

Republicans have blamed the perceived labor shortages on unemployment benefits, despite economists dismissing the benefits as a driving factor, with data showing labor shortages are confined to the leisure and hospitality sector and show no signs of spilling over to other industries or reducing growth within the leisure and hospitality sector, according to a recent analysis by the Economic Policy Institute.

Based on the most recent job opening data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there remains a significant job deficit in several industries such as construction, arts, entertainment and recreation, with two unemployed workers for every one job opening.

Many Americans still relying on unemployment benefits are facing issues with coronavirus safety protections, lack of paid sick leave, long delays and backlogs from broken unemployment systems, a lack of jobs in their industries, and scarce childcare options.

I have a child who needs help with schooling, a mother I am taking care of with heart conditions, and also pure anxiety about getting sick, said Mary Lanier, a former restaurant manager in Charleston, South Carolina, who moved to Pennsylvania to take care of her mother during the pandemic after losing her job, but now faces losing federal extended unemployment benefits.

Jessica Calvedt worked for a grocery retail store in Waterloo, Iowa, but was terminated along with her boyfriend for taking two weeks of leave due to contracting Covid-19 in March. It took over a month for their unemployment benefits to begin, and her boyfriend still hasnt received back pay for the missed weeks.

Weve been applying and going to interviews almost daily, and still havent found a job, said Calvedt. The impact of not having those federal unemployment benefits is causing so much stress due to bills stacking up and medical issues Ive been having since I got Covid. I was depending on those funds to live and now Im worried about becoming homeless and losing everything.

Several unemployed workers in states where federal extended unemployment benefits are scheduled to be cancelled in a few weeks have circulated online petitions calling for their governors to rescind their decisions.

Senator Bernie Sanders wrote a letter to the Department of Labor to ensure federal benefits are delivered to the jobless in states where governors have announced plans to cancel them, citing federal requirements under the Cares Act.

Organizations such as the National Employment Law Project are calling on the Biden administration to ensure federal benefits are paid out to all eligible workers in every state, as many workers are relying on unemployment benefits as a lifeline as they are not able to return to work or have the opportunity to do so.

Jen Kennedy of Clinton, Iowa, a single, self-employed mother, hasnt been able to return to working in sales because the programs for her daughter with Downs syndrome have been shut down throughout the pandemic.

I cannot leave my daughter home alone. What the heck am I supposed to do now? We will lose everything, said Kennedy.

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Millions of unemployed in US face hardship under Republican benefit cuts - The Guardian