Today’s Headlines and Commentary

President Biden and congressional Democrats are working on a $3.5 trillion budget proposal to expand social, environmental and educational programs, reports the New York Times. Though the legislation is still being discussed, top Democrats have committed to using it to fund Medicare expansions and programs such as universal prekindergarten and two years of free community college. Democratic leaders will try to pass the budget blueprint alongside a bipartisan infrastructure plan that is still in the works. As part of the plan to finance the bill, Democrats seek to raise taxes on overseas corporate activities, capital gains and large inheritances. 

The Biden administration is forming a task force to combat ransomware attacks, writes Politico. The task force, which spans multiple agencies, is charged with promoting digital resilience in the federal government and within critical infrastructure companies. As part of the campaign against ransomware, the State Department will also be offering rewards, totalling $10 million, for help identifying cyber attackers and the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency will launch a website with guidance from various agencies. Additiona

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