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U.S. House passes bill to avert government shutdown while relief talks drag on
By: Ariana Figueroa - December 9, 2020
In an overwhelming 343-67 vote, House members backed the stopgap, which would extend fiscal 2021 funding until Dec. 18 while talks continue on the stalled relief package. The Senate is expected to take up the stopgap bill Thursday.
Congress set to strip Confederate names from U.S. military bases, flouting Trump veto threat
By: Ariana Figueroa - December 8, 2020
Members of the House and Senate forged a bipartisan agreement to rename the 10 bases in the annual must-pass defense measure, and Republican leaders such as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California have expressed their support. Bases in Louisiana, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama and Texas would be affected.
New pandemic relief proposal rolled out by bipartisan group in Congress
By: Ariana Figueroa - December 1, 2020
While it’s not clear whether the proposal has the support of any legislative leaders or the White House, the renewed push for aid comes at a critical time as infections spiral in many states.
As Pa. waits, U.S. Senate Dems urge federal funding for state distribution of COVID-19 vaccine
By: Ariana Figueroa - November 25, 2020
More than a dozen U.S. Senate Democrats are urging congressional leaders to include “robust” funding in any coronavirus relief package for states to prepare for vaccine distribution.
Immigration advocates push Biden to not only bring back DACA but to expand it
By: Ariana Figueroa - November 24, 2020
Advocates view reinstating the Obama-era policy as a minimum goal, with deportation protection for DACA recipients’ family members extended as well.
Pa. Republicans backstop Trump, Congressional GOP on unproven claims of stolen election
By: Ariana Figueroa - November 11, 2020
Some Republicans in Congress are agreeing with President Donald Trump’s baseless claims that the election was stolen from him, and backing legal challenges to voting results in states won by President-elect Joe Biden.
Trump tests positive for COVID-19, enters quarantine
By: Laura Olson, Ariana Figueroa and Jane Norman - October 2, 2020
Late Thursday, Bloomberg News had reported that Hope Hicks, a close aide to Trump, had tested positive for the virus. Hicks had traveled to and from the presidential debate in Cleveland on Air Force One with Trump and also traveled to Minnesota with him, Bloomberg said.
Months into the pandemic, digital divide still leaves poor kids at a disadvantage
By: Ariana Figueroa - September 29, 2020
Members of the U.S. Senate are pushing for $4 billion in the next coronavirus relief package to help students in rural and low-income areas gain access to high speed internet.
Hours before Pa. rally, Trump announces Judge Amy Coney Barrett for Ginsburg’s U.S. Supreme Court seat
By: Ariana Figueroa - September 26, 2020
As they waited for Trump to speak at Harrisburg International Airport, just outside the capital city, supporters welcomed the news.
With fight looming over Ginsburg’s replacement Pa.’s Casey lines up in opposition, Toomey still silent
By: Ariana Figueroa - September 21, 2020
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., says he opposes naming a replacement before the election. U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., hasn't said yet.