Jobless claims remain high, raising stakes for Trump’s demands on relief bill
If Trump does not sign the $900 billion stimulus package, 12 million Americans will lose unemployment aid after Christmas.
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Trump calls for $2,000 stimulus checks, hints he might not sign $900B relief bill
In a video posted to Twitter, the president called the $600 checks authorized by the bill “ridiculously low” and complained about a list of provisions that he described as “wasteful spending and much more.”
Justice Department sues Walmart, says it helped fuel opioid crisis
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday by the Justice Department, says the nation’s largest retailer did not properly screen prescriptions at its 5,000 pharmacies. The agency is seeking civil penalties that could total billions of dollars.
Federal stimulus deal includes provisions to fight climate change
Congress has moved to phase out a class of potent planet-warming chemicals and provide billions of dollars for renewable energy and efforts to suck carbon from the atmosphere.
New stimulus checks could go out next week as Congress readies relief bill vote
The $600 stimulus checks are part of the pending legislation, which includes $300 in weekly unemployment benefits for 11 weeks, aid for small businesses, money for vaccine distribution, and a range of other measures.
Countries halt flights from Britain over concerns about coronavirus mutation
British officials have reported that a mutation of the virus appears to speed its transmission, and they have imposed restrictions on 18 million people in London and across southern England.
White House secures ‘three martini lunch’ tax deduction in draft of relief package
The tax break for corporate meal expenses has been denounced by congressional Democrats, but they agreed to the provision in exchange for expanded tax credits for low-income families and the working poor.
McConnell announces agreement on nearly $900B coronavirus relief package
The deal includes stimulus checks and would extend unemployment benefits of up to $300 per week, which could start as early as Dec. 27.
Lawmakers reach compromise over GOP proposal to rein in Fed’s powers, clearing path for a stimulus package deal
The breakthrough came after two days of scrambling that sent tremors across Capitol Hill, as lawmakers realized that a deal badly desired by both sides could fall through at the last minute.
Congressional leaders eye stopgap measure with hours before lapse in government funding
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the No. 2 Senate Republican, told reporters Friday afternoon that expectations of a deal by the end of the day reflected “a triumph of hope over experience.”
Christmas dinner can be festive—and thrifty—with this $60 feast for four
One of the realities of Christmas 2020 is that many people are on tighter budgets than usual. That doesn’t have to be an impediment to a sumptuous, festive holiday meal. Instead, let it be like a little puzzle to solve.
Yes, you can use your Instant Pot to make the creamiest of cheesecakes and other desserts
If you choose your treats wisely, like those with a texture that benefit from said cooking atmosphere—cheesecake and bread pudding, I’m looking at you—the rewards are many (including time saved, stress avoided and the creamiest and dreamiest of sweets savored).
Nearly 8 million Americans have fallen into poverty since the summer
Households with children have also seen a larger-than-average increase in poverty, as many parents have struggled to go back to work while their kids participate in virtual schooling from home.
FDA says Pfizer vaccine contains extra doses, expanding nation’s supply
The Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that pharmacists can draw additional doses from vials of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, potentially expanding the country’s supply by millions of doses.
Congressional leaders add stimulus checks to $900B relief package as they near deal
The package emerging is expected to include hundreds of billions of dollars in aid for ailing small businesses and jobless Americans and a one-time check of between $600 and $700 for millions of Americans below a certain income threshold.
Biden says Buttigieg will play key role in rebuilding country after pandemic
The choice of Pete Buttigieg, who sought the Democratic presidential nomination and has an ardent following among some members of the party, will bring a dash of star power to what is normally a staid, if important, department.
U.S. spent billions on system for detecting hacks, but Russians outsmarted it
This year’s months-long hack of federal networks has revealed new weaknesses and underscored some previously known ones, including the government’s reliance on widely used commercial software that provides potential attack vectors for nation-state hackers.
U.S. Postal Service ‘gridlocked’ as historic crush of holiday packages sparks delays
As a homebound nation increasingly shops online for holiday gifts, private express carriers FedEx and UPS have cut off delivery service for some retailers, sending massive volumes of packages to the Postal Service and creating major delays.
Denied: Judges across political spectrum rejected Trump’s efforts to challenge votes
In a remarkable show of near-unanimity across the nation’s judiciary, at least 86 judges—ranging from jurists serving at the lowest levels of state court systems to members of the United States Supreme Court—rejected at least one post-election lawsuit filed by President Trump or his supporters.
FDA tries to reassure public on safety of COVID-19 vaccine
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn denied Saturday that the White House had threatened his job if the agency didn’t move quickly on the vaccine.