The Daily Populous

Wednesday March 17th, 2021 day edition

image for Mitch McConnell warns Democrats that overhauling filibuster rules will lead to 'completely scorched earth Senate'

(CNN) Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell gave a stark warning Tuesday about how Republicans would grind the chamber to a halt if Democrats changed the filibuster rules, leading to a "completely scorched earth Senate.".

The Kentucky Republican defended the 60-vote threshold on the legislative filibuster in a floor speech, cautioning Democrats that if they moved to change the rules of the filibuster, it would not open up an express lane for the Biden administration to push through their agenda.

Instead, Republicans would use every rule and option at their disposal to halt the chamber, making the Senate "more like a 100-car pileup, nothing moving.".

Majority Whip Dick Durbin told reporters he's not concerned about McConnell's threats to slow the Senate if Democrats change the filibuster because "he has already done that.".

McConnell also laid out the conservative agenda Republicans would swiftly move on the next time they take control of Congress and White House, most of which Democrats would vehemently oppose -- like defunding Planned Parenthood.

The pendulum would swing both ways, "and it would swing hard," he warned. »

Biden says he supports reforming Senate filibuster in ABC News exclusive interview

Authored by abcnews.go.com

The comments, made in an exclusive interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, could galvanize reform advocates who argue that the legislative filibuster is stymying Biden's agenda in the narrowly divided Senate.

"Aren't you going to have to choose between preserving the filibuster, and advancing your agenda?"

Watch more of the interview with President Joe Biden on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Wednesday, March 17, at 7 a.m. EDT. »

California is banning companies from using 'dark patterns,' a sneaky website design that makes things like canceling a subscription frustratingly difficult

Authored by businessinsider.com

As of March 15, the California Consumer Privacy Act bans companies from using "dark patterns," or website designs that can confuse or trick users into opting into selling their information.

Businesses that continue to use dark patterns will receive a 30-day window to change their website design or risk further punishment.

In 2019, Senators Mark Warner, a Democrat, and Deb Fischer, a Republican, introduced a bill banning tech firms from using dark patterns. »

8 killed in shootings at 3 metro Atlanta spas. Police have 1 suspect in custody

Authored by edition.cnn.com

Atlanta (CNN) Video evidence suggests "it is extremely likely" that the same person was responsible for the three deadly shootings at massage parlors in the metro Atlanta area, police said Tuesday.

Two of the shootings were at spas across the street from each other in northeast Atlanta and the other happened about 30 miles away in Cherokee County to the northwest of the city.

The suspect in the Cherokee County shootings was taken into custody in Crisp County, about 150 miles south of Atlanta, around 8:30 p.m. -- about 3 1/2 hours after the killings. »

Marvelous Macaroni and Cheese

Authored by smithsonianmag.com

He brought back noodle recipes and a pasta machine, since this foodstuff was unavailable in the Colonies.

As president, he served macaroni and cheese at an 1802 state dinner.

Kraft Foods introduced its boxed macaroni and cheese in 1937, when America was in the throes of the Great Depression. »