MNI POLITICAL RISK ANALYSIS – US Daily Brief 31-01-22

Executive Summary:

• Democrats have pointed to the bridge collapse in Pittsburgh on Friday as justification for their policy to upgrade the country’s infrastructure. Rep Tim Ryan (D-OH) said on Twitter: ‘This is exactly why I fought so hard for our infrastructure law. No American should have to live in fear that a bridge they drive on every day could fall at any moment.’
• Some members of the GOP have attacked President Biden’s pledge to nominate a black woman to the Supreme Court. The SCOTUS nomination which initially looked like a boost for Democrats may turn into a headache for Biden if a public debate over social justice takes centre stage.
• The next few weeks will be frantic in the Senate. There is the Menendez Russian sanctions bill, the Supreme Court nomination, and a budget omnibus package that needs bipartisan support to avoid a government shutdown. There is also the increasingly slim prospect of Build Back Better emerging in some form.
• 14:00ET 19:00GMT President Joe Biden is hosting the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the White House. A deal with Qatar could mitigate a global gas crisis if tensions with Russia are not resolved and Biden is expected to push the Sheikh to increase supply to Europe.

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MNI POLITICAL RISK ANALYSIS – US Daily Brief 31-01-22 .pdf