Dec 22 Russia's foreign minister says security talks with U.S., NATO will begin in January By Vladimir Isachenkov, Associated Press Russian and U.S. negotiators will sit down for talks early next year to discuss Moscow's demand for Western guarantees precluding NATO's expansion to Ukraine, Russia’s top diplomat said Wednesday. Continue reading
Dec 22 WATCH: White House COVID task force holds news briefing amid rapidly spreading omicron variant By Associated Press At the White House on Dec. 22, Biden detailed major changes to his COVID-19 winter plan, his hand forced by the fast-spreading variant, whose properties are not yet fully understood by scientists. Continue reading
Dec 22 WATCH: White House downplays Secret Service estimate of COVID fraud By Jennifer McDermott, Associated Press The White House downplayed a statement by the U.S. Secret Service that nearly $100 billion at minimum has been stolen from COVID-19 relief programs, saying Wednesday that the estimate is based on old reports. Continue reading
Dec 22 Democrats 'not giving up' on Build Back Better bill, talks with Manchin By Lisa Mascaro, Farnoush Amiri, Associated Press President Joe Biden appears determined to return to the negotiating table with Sen. Joe Manchin, the holdout Democrat who effectively tanked the party's signature $2 trillion domestic policy initiative with his own jarring year-end announcement. Continue reading
Dec 21 Justice Department says inmates on home confinement can stay out of prison By Associated Press Attorney General Merrick Garland's announcement comes Tuesday after months of pressure on the Biden administration from criminal justice groups, lawmakers and other advocates who had argued the Justice Department's prior finding was unfair and unjust. Continue reading
Dec 21 Watch 7:11 Moderate Dem. coalition chair on the consensus, flashpoints in Biden social spending bill The search is on among Congressional Democrats for a way to revive the Build Back Better legislative agenda after Sen. Joe Manchin’s blow to the bill as it stood. Given total Republican opposition, Democrats will have to decide what parts… Continue watching
Dec 21 Biden administration approves expansion of solar power on U.S. land By Matthew Brown, Associated Press U.S. officials have approved two solar projects in California and are opening public lands in three other Western states to potential solar development — part of the Biden administration's effort to counter climate change by shifting from fossil fuels. Continue reading
Dec 21 Texas governor weighs George Floyd pardon By Paul Weber, Associated Press Texas Gov. Greg Abbott isn't saying whether he will posthumously pardon George Floyd for a 2004 drug arrest. Continue reading
Dec 21 Rep. Scott Perry rejects Jan. 6 panel's request for interview By Farnoush Amiri, Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press The lawmaker's refusal will test how far the committee is willing to go in its quest for information as members have so far resisted subpoenaing one of their own as they investigate the insurrection by Trump’s supporters and his efforts… Continue reading
Dec 21 WATCH: Secretary of State Antony Blinken holds a news briefing amid tension with Russia By Dasha Litvinova, Associated Press The Russian president on Tuesday reiterated his demand for guarantees from the U.S. and its allies that NATO will not expand eastwards, blaming the West for “tensions that are building up in Europe.”… Continue reading