Politics May 17 With no leader, commission overseeing virus relief struggles Four of the five members of the Congressional Oversight Commission have been appointed, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have not agreed on a chair, leaving the commission rudderless as the federal government…
Politics May 12 House rescue package includes $25 billion for Postal Service Mail volume is down by more than 30 percent from last year because of the pandemic, and the Postal Service says losses will increase by more than $22 billion over the next 18 months.
Politics May 07 Senate fails to override Trump veto on Iran conflict The Senate has failed to override a presidential veto of a bipartisan resolution declaring that President Donald Trump must get backing from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran.
Economy Apr 23 New House panel poised to track virus aid dollars Congressional oversight of the coronavirus rescue effort is quickly expanding. The House is voting Thursday to create a new subcommittee to track more than $2 trillion in coronavirus aid.
Politics Apr 17 As $2 trillion in coronavirus aid starts to flow, oversight still lags Congress created at least four different bodies to help prevent fraud and abuse as the government doles out a massive amount of money to businesses, states and individuals. But none of those bodies has been set up yet.
Politics Apr 07 Trump sidelines watchdog tapped for virus rescue oversight Glenn Fine, the acting Defense Department inspector general and a veteran watchdog, had been selected by peers last month for the oversight position. But Trump has instead nominated a replacement inspector general at the Pentagon and appointed an acting one…
Economy Apr 02 Some in U.S. may not get stimulus checks until August The federal government expects to begin making payments to millions of Americans under the new stimulus law in mid-April, but some people without direct deposit information may not get checks until mid-August or later.
Politics Mar 23 Sen. Rand Paul kept working for six days after virus test Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul says he was tested a week ago for the novel coronavirus, but continued working at the Capitol because he "felt that it was highly unlikely" he was sick since he had no symptoms of the illness.
Politics Mar 22 Sen. Rand Paul tests positive for virus, forcing quarantines Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky is the first U.S. senator to test positive for COVID-19, the infection caused by the coronavirus.
Politics Mar 18 Amid virus, Congress’ leaders resist call for remote voting The dispute pits the scourge of the infection against two centuries of tradition. It underscores Washington's struggle to adapt to recommendations about how to handle the pandemic.