Daily Skimm: Railroad Vote, the Respect for Marriage Act, and Instafest

Off the Rails

The Story

Congress is trying to get a railroad agreement back on track.

Explain. 

For months, a dozen railroad unions — repping more than 115,000 American workers — have been negotiating their contracts. In September, things started looking up after the White House helped broker a tentative agreement between rail carriers and unions. The upside for unions: it gave workers an almost 25% pay bump — the biggest jump in more than 50 years. But as of last week, four unions — including one of the largest in the US — rejected the deal. That’s because workers would still get zero paid sick days...and only one additional personal day. One. Now, Congress is trying to get things back on track ahead of the Dec 9 deadline.

Can they do that?

Yep, thanks to a 1926 law that allows Congress to impose a contract on rail companies that would prevent a strike. And the stakes are high: a railroad strike would mean a halt to almost 30% of US cargo shipments (by weight). It would also escalate inflation and could even lead to food shortages. All of this while many worry the economy is already tipping into recession territory. And of course: everyone has opinions.

Let’s hear them.

President Biden was the one pushing Congress to make this deal happen, saying a strike would "devastate" the economy. And that an estimated 765,000 Americans could lose their jobs if commerce is disrupted. Unions feel betrayed by Biden — and say this is about the most basic of demands: sick days. Businesses sided with the intervention saying “no one wins when the railroads stop running." Meanwhile, congressional leaders don’t want to be responsible for tanking the US economy, with the House agreeing to vote on the issue today. But when it goes to the Senate, it will need 60 votes to pass. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) are saying ‘count us out’ — and that they’re standing with rail workers.

theSkimm

Congress is trying to pull the emergency brakes on a strike that could cost the US economy as much as $2 billion per day. But it comes at the cost of tens of thousands of workers who say the current agreement isn’t good enough and that it’ll only make things worse in the long run.

And Also...This

Who’s saying ‘we do’…

The Senate. Yesterday, lawmakers across both sides of the aisle voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act. The bill will federally protect marriage between same-sex and interracial couples. It doesn't make same-sex marriage legal across all 50 states. But would require that all states recognize same-sex and interracial marriages performed in other states. It also clarifies that marriage is between two people — closing the polygamy argument. And reaffirms that churches and other religious institutions cannot lose government funding if they don’t agree with gay marriage. Lawmakers have applauded their efforts, but LGBTQIA+ advocates say the bill doesn't go far enough. But before going to President Biden’s desk, it’s headed back to the House.

• Culture shift: It all comes as 70% of Americans support gay marriage — a record number. What was once considered a partisan issue, is now a right recognized by both sides of the aisle — including 55% of Republicans. As for interracial marriage, 94% of Americans are in favor...a vast shift from the 4% approval rate in 1958.

Where tensions are mounting…

China. Police are cracking down on protesters...while President Xi Jinping reportedly remains silent. Over the weekend, thousands of protesters turned out across Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, calling for an end to the country’s strict “zero-COVID” policy. Many held up blank pages as protest signs to avoid arrest and censorship. Since then, police have turned out in droves. Now, amid one of the largest protests since Tiananmen Square in 1989, ten universities have reportedly sent students home. Authorities are issuing arrests. But it’s unclear how Xi will respond. Earlier this month, the government slightly relaxed some COVID protocols. Now, health officials say they’re trying to ramp up vaccines for older people. And are making a rare acknowledgement of the mental health and economic impact of these lockdowns. But Xi himself is staying silent...with few good exit strategies out of the mess.

...oh and meanwhile, people are mourning the death of former Chinese President Jiang Zemin. Today, the communist leader died at 96-years-old from leukemia and organ failure. Jiang is credited for the country's economic growth, including by joining the World Trade Organization, and helping to reemerge China as a global superpower after Tiananmen Square in 1989. But corruption also apparently flourished under his reign.

What has many glued to their screens…

The World Cup. Yesterday, the US beat Iran 1-0 to move on to the next round of the tournament. Next up: the US faces off against the Netherlands on Saturday in a knockout round — despite an injury to one of the US's star players. But it’s the tension surrounding the US-Iran match that took center stage: Amid concerns of arrest, the Iranian team fell in line and sang the national anthem. But it wasn’t just the players at risk: their families were reportedly threatened with torture. And members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — Iran’s paramilitary force — were reportedly in the crowd to make sure players didn’t engage in signs of public protest. 

Who’s reminding us that hot girl summer never ends…

Megan Thee Stallion. This week, the rapper became the first Black woman to grace a Forbes 30 Under 30 cover. She can have her pie and eat it too. 

While getting humbled by Instafest's basic score...

Apple Music Replay’s out.

What’s leaving the bell-bottoms for the tattoo choker…

“That '90s Show.”