White House threatens FDA chief’s job over vaccine approval
Food and Drug Administration chief Stephen Hahn signaled that he would tell regulators to allow the vaccine to be issued on an emergency basis, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said.
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After a long campaign by anti-corruption groups, Congress bans anonymous shell companies
A groundbreaking measure to end the creation of anonymous shell companies in the United States cleared Congress on Friday as the Senate joined the House in passing a defense-spending bill with a veto-proof margin.
Congress averts shutdown, buys time for more COVID-19 talks
COVID-19 relief talks remain stalled but there is universal agreement that Congress won’t adjourn for the year without passing a long-delayed round of pandemic relief.
Congress stuck as McConnell resists state aid in COVID-19 deal
An emerging $900 billion COVID-19 aid package from a bipartisan group of lawmakers all but collapsed Thursday after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Republican senators won’t support $160 billion in state and local funds as part of a potential trade-off in the deal.
U.S. budget deficit up 25.1% in first 2 months of budget year
The deficit—the shortfall between what the government collects in taxes and what it spends—reflected an 8.9% jump in outlays, to $886.6 billion, and a 2.9% decline in tax revenues, to $457.3 billion.
Lawmakers act to avert shutdown, buying time for COVID relief talks
Amid the uncertainty, the House easily passed a one-week government-wide funding bill Wednesday that sets a new Dec. 18 deadline for Congress to wrap up both the COVID-19 relief measure and a $1.4 trillion catch-all spending bill that is also overdue.
New White House offer adds $600 checks to COVID-19 relief package
The $916 billion offer, the separate ongoing talks among key rank-and-file senators, and the shifting demands by the White House all add up to muddled, confusing prospects for a long-delayed COVID-19 aid package.
High court takes on Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac presidential power case
The case could mean undoing an agreement between the mortgage giants and the government that has sent about $246 billion in their profits to the Treasury. That was compensation for the taxpayer bailout they received after the 2007 housing market crash.
COVID-19 aid in balance as Congress buys time for talks
Lawmakers are struggling to figure out how to deliver long-delayed pandemic relief, including additional help for hard-hit businesses, further unemployment benefits, funding to distribute COVID-19 vaccines and funding demanded by Democrats for state and local governments.
INDOT awards $101M in local road funding grants
The funding is part of the Community Crossings grant program, which provides matching state dollars for local road and bridge construction projects. Interstate or state highway projects are not eligible for funding.
Another judge blocks Trump’s TikTok ban; app still in limbo
The Trump administration has alleged that TikTok is a security threat because the Chinese government could spy on app users’ personal data.
Virus relief talks drag on liability as Congress preps stopgap aid
Disagreements flared Monday over one key provision of a federal pandemic relief package—a proposed liability shield from COVID-19-related lawsuits for businesses, schools and organizations that reopen.
FCC announces billions of dollars to provide rural areas with broadband access
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai called the awards the “single largest step ever taken to bridge the digital divide.”
Lawmakers say COVID-19 relief bill won’t offer $1,200 checks
The $908 billion aid package to be released Monday would be attached to a larger year-end spending bill needed to avert a government shutdown this coming weekend.
House votes to decriminalize marijuana at federal level
The Democratic-controlled House on Friday approved a bill to decriminalize and tax marijuana at the federal level, reversing what supporters call a failed policy of criminalizing pot use and taking steps to address racial disparities in enforcement of federal drug laws.
Automakers prepare for tougher mileage standards under Biden
Less-strict Trump fuel-economy regulations were supported by most auto makers, many of which were having trouble meeting escalating efficiency standards set when Barack Obama was president. Now, they recognize that change is coming.
Pelosi, McConnell discuss COVID relief as pressure builds
With COVID-19 caseloads spiraling and the daily death toll equaling records, the momentum for finally passing a second major relief bill is undeniably building.
Pelosi, Schumer say $908B pandemic relief package should be basis for new talks
The willingness to accept a potential bill totaling less than $1 trillion represents a significant step down for the top Democrats, who had pushed for more than $3 trillion in new aid earlier this year.
Indy native Klain brings decades of D.C. experience to Biden White House
Ron Klain—a 1979 graduate of North Central High School—is preparing to serve as President-elect Joe Biden’s chief of staff, a job often referred to as the nation’s chief operating officer.
Federal Reserve, Treasury urge Congress to approve more virus relief
On Tuesday, a bipartisan group of senators introduced a aid bill totaling around $908 billion, raising hopes that the legislative impasse might be broken.