The Daily Skimm

The Story

President Biden wants to give America some TLC.

Is it a flip or flop?

That's TBD. Yesterday, Biden unveiled a $2 trillion plan to overhaul the nation's crumbling infrastructure. We know, sounds boring. But life is a highway...and our highways need help. A lot of help: the US has received a "C-" for its infrastructure. Now, Biden's sharing some big renovation plans over the next eight years for:

Transportation: $621 billion would go toward repairing 10,000 of the worst bridges, 20,000 miles of roads, and improving ports, airports, and public transit. This could bump up our infrastructure grade and connect various communities to one another through things like railways and highways. All aboard.

Buildings: $213 billion would go toward creating and updating affordable housing. And $100 billion would go toward schools. There are plans to bring high-speed broadband internet for all Americans. At least $45 billion would go toward eliminating 100% of lead pipes and additional money would go into making drinking water safe. Important, because more than one-third of the country's drinking water reportedly has arsenic, lead, and other toxic chemicals.

Climate change: The focus is on boosting the number of electric cars using tax incentives, creating charging stations, and building a cheaper, cleaner energy grid. So, we can avoid blackouts and their potential deadly consequences (like in Texas). While tackling the two biggest contributors to carbon emissions: transportation and power plants.

Jobs: All of these tasks require money and workers. Biden said the "American Jobs Plan" would be the largest jobs investment since World War II. And it allocates billions of dollars to invest in job training, research and development, and manufacturing.

People: $400 billion would go to expanding long-term care services and the home health care workforce – an industry that's largely made up of women of color. The plan also calls on agencies like FEMA and HUD to expand grant programs for low-income communities – which are more likely to live in highly-polluted and flood-prone areas.

I'm seeing a lot of dollar signs.

The Biden admin plans to fund it by hiking up corporate taxes to 28% – a 7% increase from the current tax rate. And while Biden thinks this is a necessary "domestic investment," not everyone agrees on the price tag. The GOP, which supports infrastructure changes, isn't a fan of raising taxes. So there could be some heated arguments in Congress as Democratic lawmakers try to get this plan approved by July 4.

theSkimm

The country's infrastructure is so outdated that not even the Property Brothers would want to touch it. But Biden's calling for a major gut-renovation and hoping that it'll address the jobs, health, and climate change challenges the country's facing.

Psst...here's how higher corporate taxes can affect your wallet.

And Also...This

Where people are mourning…

Southern California. Yesterday, three people and a child were killed in Orange, CA, after a gunman opened fire in an office building there. A woman and the suspect were hospitalized and are in critical condition. The US is still reeling from mass shootings in recent weeks in Boulder, CO, that left 10 dead and shootings in three Atlanta-area spas in Georgia that killed eight people, including six Asian women. Authorities said they're still looking for a motive and are investigating. They have not named the victims. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) called the incident "horrifying and heartbreaking." This is a developing story.

What's bringing out more evidence…

Derek Chauvin's trial. Yesterday, on day three of the trial over George Floyd's death, witnesses and new video were center stage. Last Memorial Day, Floyd died in police custody after officers responded to a call about an alleged counterfeit $20 bill. The cashier who reported the bill to his manager testified, telling the court he felt "disbelief and guilt" when he saw things escalate, and that "this could have been avoided." The prosecution also showed police body cam footage of a terrified Floyd, crying and saying "please don't shoot me" as he was pulled out of his car. The trial resumes later this morning.

Why there's some good news and some bad news...

Pfizer – for the good news. Yesterday, after months of testing, the pharma giant said that its COVID-19 vaccine was 100% effective in kids 12 to 15. And that it created "robust" antibody responses. Now, the company hopes this will get more kids to school in the fall.

Johnson & Johnson – for the bad news. Yesterday, the drugmaker said a manufacturing facility in Baltimore, MD, that makes its one-shot vaccine did not meet quality standards. Now, there's reports the mixup in ingredients ruined up to 15 million doses. The facility did not have FDA approval to make the vaccine. And this mishap will delay the factory's FDA approval. But it's not expected to delay current shipments.

...Oh and speaking of vaccines, the Peace Corps is gearing up for its second ever domestic deployment in history – to help with the US's vaccination campaign.

What's singing 'I got new rules; I count 'em'…

The Pentagon. Yesterday, it reversed a Trump-era policy that banned transgender people from serving in the US military. President Biden signed an executive order in January making the change. Now, the Pentagon's officially moving forward with it. And will make it easier for transgender people to become service members and will "provide a path" for medical treatments and gender transition as long as certain standards are met. The policy goes into effect at the end of the month.

Who's gracing us with her selfie game...

La Verne Ford Wimberly.

Thing to Know

Collagen

A protein that provides structure and support to your muscles, bones, teeth, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and more (seriously). You might know collagen for its starring role: making up 70%-80% of skin. And helping it stay firm, healthy, and youthful.

Unfortunately, our natural collagen production starts to slow down in our 20s. Which is why you miiiight want to get to know First Aid Beauty's Ultra Repair Firming Collagen Cream. It's packed with niacinamide (psst...that's a form of vitamin B3) and peptides that work to boost and replenish collagen. So your skin stays hydrated, soft, bouncy, and supple. Please and thank you.

You see it, you like it, you want it, you budget. Really. Because when it comes to big financial goals like owning a home, buying your dream car or traveling around the world, you need a plan to get to 'you got it.' And since that's easier said than done, here's a start...

Our second SkimmU course kicks off tonight. Sign up and join us at 8:00pm ET for everything you need to know about budgeting for the big stuff. See you in class.

Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life...

1. Wellness products if you're not the best at self-care. There are two kinds of people in this world: those who Instagram their nightly bath, and those who twitch at the word 'relax.' We've got a waffle bathrobe, a self-care kit, and a hair mask that'll make your me-time so much more satisfying.

2. An empowering af "Skimm'd from the Couch" episode, sponsored by Hulu. We talked to Dr. Laura Forese, orthopedic surgeon and COO of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, about asking for parental leave, facing tough personal health challenges, and leading during a pandemic. Don't miss it.*

3. Warm weather pick-me-ups from dozens of diverse, small businesses. The oneKIN marketplace curated jewelry, skincare, candles, nail polish, poetry books, and more spring must-haves with Skimm'rs in mind. Get 15% off when you shop now.*

4. 8 products that'll upgrade your outdoor space. Because it's (finally) patio season. Check out a rug made from recycled straws, a mini charcoal grill, and dreamy string lights. HGTV is knocking.

PS: Like what you see here? Make sure you're signed up to get more picks like these in your inbox every Monday. We've got exclusive shopping recs, streaming ideas, life hacks, and more.

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

Skimm’rs

We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.

Rising up...Ali B, Jordyn K, Gabby O, Rachel C (IL). They founded Despite the Dark, a nonprofit that wants to shed light on women's safety at night and empower them. They offer free self-defense classes, panel discussions, and workouts.

Leading the charge...Colleen D N (RI). She's the executive director of Project Weber/RENEW, a nonprofit that provides programs for harm reduction and recovery for the Rhode Island community. They've just opened up a second location in RI and are in need of support.

(Some) Birthdays...Carey Pepper (NY), Cameron Carpenter (TN), Gabrielle Giles (SC), Jen Velasquez (FL), Nikki Hughes (SC), Joseph Smith (TN), Abbey Carter (IA), Kathleen Krilanovich (FL), Melissa Lekus (CA), Taylor Searels (AL), Julie McCormack (MA), Reid Kersey (GA), Natalie Bratsch (OR), Megan Seagram (VA), Carla Storey (TX)

*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

Miscarriages: they're more common than you'd think. Our guide explains what causes them, what the recovery process is like, and what 'rainbow babies' are.

And if you're looking for other smart ways to spend your time…

Listen to our news podcast "Skimm This" for clarity on the biggest stories of the week.
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Skimm’d by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain