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The US House of Representatives passed the $1.9 trillion “Build Back Better” legislation early this morning, following a lengthy session that included a record-setting speech from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. The Build Back Better bill, which includes robust changes to federal tax credits for EVs, will now face the Senate, where two vital Democrats have already shared that they are undecided on their vote.

The whirlwind ride that is the Build Back Better Act rolls on, following its passage through the House this morning. Dems cheered House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi as the vote surpassed 218, enough to ensure passage from the initial half of Congress.

The final vote narrowly landed at 220-213. Its passage represents a prudent victory for the Biden administration, as it looks to get the second and larger portion of its long-touted climate change legislation into law.

A couple of weeks ago, following Congress’ passage of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, we reported that the Build Back Better Act has been folded into the larger legislation and faced concern from Moderates in the House demanding an analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

Today’s vote came off the heels of the released CBO score, estimating the bill would increase the national deficit by $367 billion between 2022-2031. Meanwhile, the White House anticipated this sort of score, and tried to get an early jump on it by speaking with Moderate House Dems.

According to CNN, The Biden administration is pointing out that the US Treasury estimates that tighter IRS enforcement would increase national revenues by up to $400 billion, and the Build Back Better bill could essentially pay for itself.

Time will tell how much deficit (if any) the $1.9 trillion bill brings, but it will first need to face a Senate that is already speaking about changes.

Build Back Better Act and EV tax credit proceeds to US Senate

Nice work by the House, but now it’s the Senate’s turn, and it will take some convincing (and some inevitable changes) to get the Build Back Better Act into law.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he wants to achieve passage before Christmas. The Senate better get moving as the bill will surely require negotiations, even amongst Democratic Senators.

Santa’s #1 coal supplier, West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, has yet to give his support, and is joined by Senator Kyrsten Sinema who is also undecided. Vermont Independent and Elon Musk fixation Senator Bernie Sanders has also expressed that he’d like to see changes to the bill before passage, focusing particularly on fair share taxes for the ultra-wealthy.

Dems still hold a narrow majority with the Independent Senator caucuses, but if just one Democratic Senator defects, it could derail the Build Back Better bill’s passage, at least before the new year.

Any changes proposed and passed by the Senate will send the legislation back to the House for a final vote, before the President signs it into law.

A lot rides on this bill pertaining to health care, tax credits for children, and revamped tax credits for EV automakers. Here are the current terms of the Build Back Better Act that pertain to the EV market.

There has been much debate about the additional $4,500 for local manufacturing and union labor, so expect that to be a topic thoroughly discussed in the Senate.

Note, these terms have not been passed into law and most certainly could change.

  • Federal tax credit for EVs jumps from $7,500 to $12,500
    • Keep the $7,500 incentive for new electric cars for five years
    • Add an additional $4,500 for EVs assembled in the US using union labor
    • Another $500 for EVs using battery packs with 50% of components (including cells) made in the US
  • Zero-emission vans, SUVs, and trucks with MSRPs up to $80,000 qualify (increased from previous policy)
  • Electric sedans priced up to $55,000 MSRP qualify (stays the same)
  • The full EV tax credit will be available to individuals reporting adjusted gross incomes of $250,000 or less, $500,000 for joint filers (decreased from $400,000 for individuals/$800,000 for joint filers currently in place)
  • EVs must be made in the US starting in 2027 to qualify for any of the $12,500 credit
  • Eliminates tax credit cap after automakers hit 200,000 EVs sold, making GM and Tesla once again eligible

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Gogglebox star George Gilbey has died aged 40

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Gogglebox star George Gilbey has died aged 40

Gogglebox star George Gilbey has died aged 40, a spokesperson for the show said.

The reality star appeared on the Channel 4 series alongside his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete McGarry, who died aged 71 in 2021.

He also appeared on the 14th series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, reaching the final.

George Gilbey. Pic: Shutterstock
Image:
George Gilbey. Pic: Shutterstock

Gilbey reportedly died following an accident at work on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the show said: “George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and stepdad Pete.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda and George’s family and friends at this very sad time. The family has asked for privacy.”

Essex Police said they were called to an incident in Shoebury in Southend-on-Sea on Wednesday.

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A spokesperson for the force said: “We received a report of an incident at Campfield Road in Shoebury at around 10am this morning (27 March), during which a man who was working at height had fallen and sustained an injury.

“The ambulance service including air ambulance were in attendance. Sadly, the man died at the scene.

“We will continue liaising with partners including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

“A cordon remains in place at the scene.”

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Gilbey joined the award-winning programme in its second series in 2013 before he and his family were dropped in 2014 after he signed up for Celebrity Big Brother. The family later returned to the series.

The reality star from Essex appeared on the then-Channel 5 reality show alongside celebrities including The Hills star Stephanie Pratt and American actor Gary Busey, who won the series.

Gilbey’s representatives and the HSE have been approached for comment.

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Beyonce releases tracklist for upcoming country album

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Beyonce releases tracklist for upcoming country album

Beyonce has released her tracklist for her forthcoming country album Act II: Cowboy Carter. 

On the superstar‘s Instagram account, fans were given a sneak peek of her new songs which included the previously released Texas Hold ‘Em and 16 Carriages.

The tracklist also contained American Requiem, Blackbird, Protector, My Rose, Bodyguard, Daughter, Spaghetti, Alligator Tears, Smoke Hour II, Just For Fun, II Most Wanted, Levi’s Jeans, Flamenco, Ya Ya, Oh Louisiana, Desert Eagle, Riverdance, II Hands II Heaven, Tyrant, Sweet Honey Buckin’ and Amen.

One song appears to be called The Linda Martell Show, a reference to the groundbreaking country performer who became the first black woman to play at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

There is also mention of Dolly P – likely a reference to Dolly Parton – and a track titled Jolene, a reference to one of Parton’s best-known songs.

Parton revealed earlier this month that she thinks Beyonce has recorded a cover of her 1973 hit.

“Well, I think she has,” she said.

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“I think she’s recorded Jolene and I think it’s probably gonna be on her country album, which I’m very excited about.”

The tracklist also mentions Smoke Hour Willie Nelson, but it is not immediately clear if Nelson is involved with the project.

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Ed Gamble: Comedian swaps hot dog for cucumber on tour posters after falling foul of TfL’s ad rules on junk food

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Ed Gamble: Comedian swaps hot dog for cucumber on tour posters after falling foul of TfL's ad rules on junk food

A comedian has been forced to remove a picture of a hot dog from posters promoting his stand-up tour after falling foul of Transport for London’s (TfL) advertising policies.

Ed Gamble used an image of the popular barbecue staple in advertising posters for his upcoming Hot Diggity Dog tour.

But when the billboards were sent to TfL for display on the London Underground, the stand-up comic was told to alter the poster because it failed to comply with the organisation’s advertising policy on junk foods.

So the 38-year-old, who recently starred as the host of the Traitors: Uncloaked, improvised by offering to replace the hot dog with a cucumber.

“I actually don’t have a problem with the TfL regulations, they make sense to me,” he said.

“But the new posters promote something way more harmful – the idea that cucumbers pair well with ketchup and mustard.

“I’m not sad to have to remove the hot dog, it was only featured on the poster because I wanted to eat during the photoshoot.

“Hopefully it’s not too late to change the title of the show to Cu Diggity Cucumber?”

Pic: PA
Image:
Pic: PA

In a post on Instagram, he described the incident as a “career highlight” and added: “TfL told me I couldn’t have a hot dog on my poster to promote my @hackneyempire shows in June.

“I guess I’m dangerous? So I’ve replaced it with a cucumber. Eat your greens, Kids!”

A spokesperson for TfL said: “We welcome all advertising on our network that complies with our published guidance.

“Following a review of the advert, we advised that elements would need to be removed or obscured to ensure it complied with our policy.

“A revised advert is now running on the network and we are always happy to work with people to ensure adverts follow our policy.”

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The ban on junk food advertising across London’s public transport network came into force in 2019.

Regulations forbid posters for food and drink high in fat, salt and sugar on the Underground and Overground, as well as buses and bus shelters.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the rules would help tackle child obesity rates in the capital.

The organisation uses a model developed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to define foods high in fat, sugar and salt.

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