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Biden picks former public school teacher as secretary of Education
By Ariana Figueroa WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday formally introduced his nominee for secretary of Education—Miguel Cardona, a veteran of public schools and the third Latino selected for the Cabinet. “We knew we needed an education secretary who truly understands what it’s been like for educators, administrators, families, caregivers and students this past year,” Biden […]
The top 10 unforgettable moments of a tumultuous year in D.C.
Amid a global pandemic, a bitter race for the presidency and protests over police brutality, news in Washington never let up. As the year winds to an end, let’s take a look back at the moments of most drama, controversy, shock and sadness that headlined an exhausting 2020 in D.C.
What’s in the $900B emergency relief bill—and what’s out
By Laura Olson and Ariana Figueroa WASHINGTON— Congress is set to pass a massive bipartisan emergency relief bill that’s intended to aid Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Summaries from House Democratic appropriators say it includes: DIRECT CHECKS —$166 billion in another round of economic impact payments that will go directly to Americans. —$600 stimulus checks […]
Workers’ COVID-19 lawsuits could be quashed under GOP push in Congress
Senate Republicans dropped their insistence that a liability provision be included in a bipartisan COVID-19 relief package that could pass Congress as soon as this weekend.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects Texas suit that tried to overturn election results
“Texas has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections,” according to the unsigned court order. “All other pending motions are dismissed as moot.”
More than half of U.S. House Republicans back Texas suit claiming election ‘irregularities’
In asking to join the suit filed in the U.S. Supreme Court, Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson led 105 of his Republican colleagues in supporting the efforts of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Biden to tap a trio of Midwesterners to lead agriculture, housing, veterans affairs agencies
If confirmed by the Senate, Fudge will lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the second Black woman to head the $50 billion agency, and Vilsack will be agriculture secretary, a position he held for eight years in the Obama administration.
U.S. House passes bill to avert government shutdown while relief talks drag on
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
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
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
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
Advocates view reinstating the Obama-era policy as a minimum goal, with deportation protection for DACA recipients’ family members extended as well.