Feb 04 WATCH: Senate debates budget amid ongoing negotiations for COVID-19 relief By Lisa Mascaro, Josh Boak, Associated Press The Senate will vote Feb. 4 on an amended Congressional budget resolution for the next fiscal year, paving the way to pass a Democratic COVID-19 relief bill with a simple majority vote. Continue reading
Feb 03 WATCH: Biden EPA nominee vows ‘sense of urgency’ on climate change By Matthew Daly, Associated Press Regan is currently the head of North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality. If he is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he will be the first Black man to lead the agency. Continue reading
Feb 03 WATCH: White House press secretary Psaki calls on Russia to release U.S. detainees By Associated Press Biden told House Democrats on Wednesday he's “not married" to an absolute number on his $1.9 trillion COVID rescue plan but Congress needs to “act fast” on relief for the pandemic and the economic crisis. Continue reading
Feb 03 WATCH: Senate debates budget resolution that could lead to COVID-19 relief funding By Associated Press Biden encouraged Democratic lawmakers to “act fast” on his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 rescue plan but also signaled he's open to changes, including limiting the proposed $1,400 direct payments to Americans with lower income levels. Continue reading
Feb 03 WATCH: Isabel Guzman, nominee for small business administrator, testifies during Senate confirmation hearing By Candice Norwood If confirmed, Guzman will be tasked with overseeing the Paycheck Protection Program and other initiatives to support small businesses that have been forced to close or scale back operations during the pandemic. Continue reading
Feb 03 WATCH: Education Secretary nominee Miguel Cardona pledges new guidance, more virus testing By Collin Binkley, Associated Press If approved, Cardona would oversee an Education Department that employs thousands and has an annual budget of more than $60 billion. He would also oversee the agency’s $1.5 trillion student loan portfolio. Continue reading
Feb 02 U.S. says Myanmar takeover was coup, promises sanction review By Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press The military power grab poses a challenge for the two-week-old Biden administration, which says it wants to support wobbly democracy movements globally — but also wants to avoid driving countries like Myanmar toward China. Continue reading
Feb 02 Watch 4:09 Biden rolls back Trump’s immigration policies with a raft of initiatives By Yamiche Alcindor President Biden is out with a raft of initiatives Tuesday directed at the U.S. southern border, and the man who will manage immigration policies, Alejandro Mayorkas, is joining his Cabinet after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as… Continue watching
Feb 02 Watch 5:51 Biden’s economic adviser on pandemic relief: ‘We can’t afford to wait another few months’ President Biden appears ready to continue the push for his $1.9 trillion pandemic relief plan a day after he met with Senate Republicans to discuss its size and scope. Jared Bernstein, who was appointed to the White House Council of… Continue watching
Feb 02 WATCH: Senate Majority Leader Schumer holds press conference on COVID-19 aid By Associated Press "We are not going to dilute, dither or delay," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday at a Capitol Hill press conference, "The needs of the American people are just too great."… Continue reading