Dec 11 COVID relief negotiations stumble near finish line. What's next? By Lisa Desjardins Lawmakers have worked feverishly and have nearly reached a deal, but the final points of disagreement, over COVID-related lawsuits and funding for state and local governments, have proven to be treacherous for compromise. Continue reading
Dec 11 Trump, Congress avert shutdown, buy time for COVID-19 talks By Lisa Mascaro, Andrew Taylor, Associated Press President Donald Trump has signed a temporary government-wide funding bill into law, averting a federal shutdown at midnight and buying Congress time for on-again, off-again talks on COVID-19 aid. Continue reading
Dec 11 Watch 6:39 Supreme Court denies Texas attempt to overturn election results In a closely watched decision the U.S. Supreme Court late Friday denied an attempt by the state of Texas, supported by a large number of Republicans, to overturn the election results and President-elect Joe Biden's victory in four states. Judy… Continue watching
Dec 11 Supreme Court rejects Texas lawsuit attempting to overturn Biden victory By Nomaan Merchant, Alanna Durkin Richer, Associated Press The Electoral College meets Monday to formally elect Biden as the next president. Continue reading
Dec 11 Watch 12:12 Shields and Brooks on Republicans' latest election challenge Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week in politics, including congressional negotiations, President-elect Biden's cabinet picks and the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on Texas's election challenges. Continue watching
Dec 11 ICC prosecutor ready to open investigation into Ukraine By Mike Corder, Associated Press The six-year preliminary probe looked at allegations of crimes starting with the brutal crackdown on pro-European Union protests in 2013-14 through the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014. Continue reading
Dec 11 Groups blast Trump logging plan aimed at reducing wildfires By Keith Ridler, Associated Press WildEarth Guardians, Western Watersheds Project and seven other groups say the rules approved Thursday fast-track projects to benefit logging, grazing and mining while eliminating public comments. Continue reading
Dec 11 Reports: White House threatens Hahn's job over vaccine approval By Jonathan Lemire, Darlene Superville, Matthew Perrone, Associated Press White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has pressed Food and Drug Administration chief Stephen Hahn to grant an emergency use authorization for Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine by the end of Friday or face possible dismissal. Continue reading
Dec 11 Senate sends Trump defense bill he has vowed to veto By Matthew Daly, Associated Press The final vote was 84-13, mirroring a similarly overwhelming margin in the House that, if maintained in both chambers, would be enough to override a potential veto. Continue reading
Dec 11 WATCH: Biden unveils top picks with deep Obama administration ties By Jonathan Lemire, Will Weissert, Associated Press President-elect Joe Biden is introducing five top picks for his new administration on Friday, drawing on leading names from the Obama White House while also tapping an Ohio congresswoman and a congressional committee veteran. Continue reading