Loyal soldier Pence torn between Trump, Constitution
Vice President Mike Pence finds himself in the most precarious position of his tenure as he prepares to preside over Wednesday’s congressional tally of Electoral College votes.
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Pelosi narrowly reelected speaker, faces difficult two years
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., accused Pelosi of leading “the least productive Congress in nearly 50 years,” and said there was a clear message in last November’s elections, when Republicans gained seats by defeating a dozen Democratic incumbents.
Republican leaders squabble over ‘scheme’ to undo election for Trump
President Donald Trump has enlisted support from a dozen Republican senators and up to 100 House Republicans to challenge the Electoral College vote when Congress convenes in a joint session to confirm President-elect Joe Biden’s 306-232 victory.
Trump pressures Georgia secretary of state to recalculate vote in his favor
President Donald Trump urged fellow Republican Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia secretary of state, to “find” enough votes to overturn his defeat in an extraordinary one-hour phone call Saturday that legal scholars described as a flagrant abuse of power and a potential criminal act.
In a first, Congress overrides Trump veto of defense bill
The bill affirms a 3% pay raise for U.S. troops and guides defense policy, cementing decisions about troop levels, new weapons systems and military readiness, personnel policy and other military goals.
Trump’s $2,000 checks all but dead as GOP Senate balks at high cost
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s new bill—which makes the $2,000 payments contingent on the formation of a commission to investigate the 2020 election as well as a complicated repeal of big tech liability protections—does not have enough support to pass.
Luke Letlow, 41-year-old congressman-elect, dies of COVID-19
Letlow is the highest-ranking U.S. politician to die of COVID-19, which has now killed more than 337,000 Americans.
McConnell seeking alternative route to $2,000 relief checks
President Donald Trump’s push for bigger $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks is on hold in the Senate after Republicans blocked a swift vote proposed by Democrats and split within their own ranks over whether to boost spending or defy the White House.
New U.S. dietary guidelines: No candy, cake for children under 2
The guidelines stop short of two key recommendations from scientists advising the government. Those advisers said in July that everyone should limit their added sugar intake to less than 6% of calories and men should limit alcohol to one drink per day.
McConnell blocks Dems’ initial attempt to OK $2,000 checks amid growing pressure on GOP
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s move was just the beginning of a saga that is likely to engulf the Senate for the rest of the week. Democrats are pushing for an up-or-down vote on the House bill, while more Republicans see a need for larger stimulus checks.
State waiting on federal guidance to process new unemployment enhancements
The coronavirus relief bill adds an additional $300 per week in federal unemployment benefits for individuals for another 11 weeks.
Treasury to start sending pandemic relief checks by end of week
The Treasury Department is able to move more swiftly than usual to deposit checks for as much as $600 into Americans’ bank accounts as a result of its earlier work this spring, when it disbursed larger sums under an earlier stimulus program.
House approves Trump’s $2K checks, sending to GOP-led Senate
The U.S. House voted overwhelmingly Monday to increase COVID-19 relief checks to $2,000, meeting President Donald Trump’s demand for bigger payments and sending the bill to the GOP-controlled Senate, where the outcome is highly uncertain.
Here’s what’s in $900B pandemic relief bill signed by Trump
The massive, year-end catchall bill that President Donald Trump signed into law Sunday combines $900 billion in COVID-19 aid with a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill and reams of other unfinished legislation on taxes, energy, education and health care.
Trump signs $900B stimulus measure, extending unemployment and averting shutdown
The massive bill includes $1.4 trillion to fund government agencies through September and contains other end-of-session priorities such as money for cash-starved transit systems and an increase in food stamp benefits.
Benefits lapse for millions as Trump fails to approve stimulus bill
The federal government could shut down on Tuesday absent Trump’s signature on the attached, $1.4 trillion spending bill to fund operations through Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year.
GOP blocks $2,000 checks as Trump leaves COVID aid in chaos
The rare Christmas Eve session of the House lasted just minutes, with help for millions of Americans awaiting Trump’s signature on a stimulus bill Congress passed earlier this week.
Trump vetoes defense bill that Congress passed by wide margins
The bill would have affirmed 3% pay raises for U.S. troops and authorized more than $740 billion in military programs and construction.
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.
U.S. close on deal with Pfizer for millions more vaccine doses
Pfizer’s vaccine was the first to gain approval from the Food and Drug Administration and initial shipments went to states last week.