Dec 30 Watch 6:18 Why one Republican senator opposes higher stimulus payments Most Republican senators remain skeptical about raising direct payments to $2,000, which Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says has no realistic path to pass. One of the Republicans opposed to the increase is Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson. He joins Amna… Continue watching
Dec 19 Fight over Fed powers stalls $900 billion aid plan By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press An arcane battle over emergency Federal Reserve powers is frustrating efforts to lock down an agreement on an almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package. Saturday’s impasse is just the latest stumble in a partisan, monthslong fight, and feelings hardened… Continue reading
Dec 18 House passes two-day stopgap spending bill to avert government shutdown By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press The hoped-for agreement would provide more than $300 billion in aid to businesses, a $300-per-week bonus federal jobless benefit, and $600 direct payments to individuals. Continue reading
Dec 18 Pelosi, McConnell get COVID-19 vaccine, urge others to do so By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press The top Capitol doctor urged all members of Congress to join them. Both Pelosi and McConnell tweeted photos of themselves receiving the vaccine from Capitol physician. Continue reading
Dec 18 WATCH: Pence, wife Karen, surgeon general get COVID-19 vaccines By Zeke Miller, Jill Colvin, Associated Press Vice President Mike Pence was vaccinated for COVID-19 on Friday in a live-television event aimed at reassuring Americans the vaccine is safe. He celebrated the shot as “a medical miracle” that could eventually contain the raging coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading
Dec 17 Final stretch on COVID-19 economic relief, but no deal yet By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press Congressional negotiators on the long-delayed $900 billion COVID-19 economic relief package worked through a handful of remaining holdups Thursday as they labored to seal a final agreement for more help to businesses and the unemployed and new stimulus payments to… Continue reading
Dec 15 WATCH: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell holds news briefing By Associated Press McConnell said that as a survivor of polio, he intends to be vaccinated to protect himself against the coronavirus, and he is encouraging other high-profile Americans to do the same. Continue reading
Dec 15 McConnell congratulates Biden as president-elect By Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell congratulated Democrat Joe Biden on Tuesday, calling him the president-elect and saying the Electoral College "has spoken."… Continue reading
Dec 09 Lawmakers act to avert shutdown, buying time for virus relief talks By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press The House on Wednesday easily passed a temporary funding bill that sets a Dec. 18 deadline for Congress to wrap up both a virus relief measure and a $1.4 trillion government spending bill. Continue reading
Dec 03 Pelosi, McConnell discuss COVID-19 relief as pressure builds By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press The conversation between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell adds to tentative optimism that a medium-sized aid package might break free after months of Washington toxicity and deadlock. Continue reading