Washington Bureau Week In Review: Honoring The Life Of Bob Dole, Unemployment Claims, Inflation

President Biden and top leaders from both parties honored late Kansas Senator and 1996 Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole Friday in a memorial ceremony at the Washington National Cathedral. Dole passed away last weekend at the age of 98.

The straight-talking Senator’s passing has brought words of praise from former colleagues on both sides of the aisle who say Dole serves as a reminder that it’s possible to fight for causes and still maintain civility.

President Biden called Dole a “giant of our time and of all time.” The president also said that Dole was worried at the end of his life about American democracy being threatened by today’s bitter political battles, but suggested Dole’s basic decency could serve as an example for America even now.

“As long as we keep his spirit alive, as long as we see each other not as enemies but neighbors and colleagues, as long as we remember we’re here not to tear down but to build up,” said the president, “as long as we remember that, then Taps will not sound for Bob Dole.”

The moving ceremony wrapped up a week in which the Senate’s Democratic and Republican leaders engaged in unexpected bipartisan cooperation. putting in motion a unique plan to keep the nation from defaulting on its debt.

The deal required ten Republicans to join Democrats in approving a bill that sets up a one-time opportunity for Senate Democrats to raise the debt ceiling with a simple majority vote. The first vote happened Thursday; the second vote to actually raise the debt ceiling is expected to occur early next week.

Also next week, thanks to another bipartisan effort, it appears that the Senate will finally vote on the long-stalled 2022 National Defense Authorization Act and send it on to the president for his signature.

Meanwhile, encouraging economic news Thursday — the fewest Americans filed for unemployment claims in 52 years — was dampened by reports Friday that inflation continues to rise. Prices are up 6.8 percent over a year ago, the largest jump in 40 years.

The White House acknowledged the high number but says it’s important to note that the jobs picture is very strong and that there are signs that prices are moderating.

“What we’ve seen in recent days,” said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki Friday, “is that gas prices are coming down from their peak. This is not captured in the data, since that data was through the course of November.”