Culture

AOC & Nydia Velázquez Introduce New Puerto Rico Legislation & More In Today’s News

Lead Photo: Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., right, and Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., conduct a news conference to introduce the bicameral Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2021 in Rayburn Building on Thursday, March 18, 2021. Photo By Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., right, and Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., conduct a news conference to introduce the bicameral Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2021 in Rayburn Building on Thursday, March 18, 2021. Photo By Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Las Notis is a daily news column that gets you up to speed on the political, media + other going ons in Latin America and the diaspora—all in one quick digest. 

Here’s your glimpse at what’s going on today:

  • President Biden has announced that the U.S. is expected to hit his goal of 100 million doses within his first 100 days in office on Friday. If the numbers stay on track, Biden will have reached the milestone on his 60th day in office, 40 days earlier than he’d planned. [CNN]
  • The U.S. is planning to send millions of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Mexico and Canada in what’s been called a notable step toward vaccine diplomacy. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed that the U.S. aims to share 2.5 million doses of the vaccine with Mexico and 1.5 million with Canada, although the numbers haven’t been finalized. [NYT]
  • In a statement Thursday, Texas Republican Ted Cruz said he would no longer delay Senate confirmation of William Burns, Biden’s nominee for CIA director, and Brian McKeon, Biden’s nominee for deputy secretary of State for management and resources. The Senate confirmed both nominees unanimously later Thursday. [Politico]
  • New York Reps. Nydia Velázquez and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, along with New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, introduced new legislation on Thursday to create a more inclusive process for Puerto Ricans to determine the future of the island. Ocasio-Cortez has said the bill is as much about allowing Puerto Ricans to assert their political identity as it is “about the identity of the United States.” [NBC Latino]
  • The House will vote on two proposals Thursday that could open pathways for “Dreamers” and farm worker immigrants. The bills are expected to pass in the House, but could face Republican opposition before finally making it to Biden’s desk. [AP]