AT&T, Verizon delay new 5G service after Buttigieg request
Monday’s announcement reversed the companies’ decision just a day earlier to reject any postponement in new 5G service.
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AT&T, Verizon reject U.S. request to delay 5G wireless plans
Airlines had asked the Federal Communications Commission to delay this week’s scheduled 5G rollout, saying the service, set to launch Tuesday, could interfere with electronics that pilots rely on.
Biden signs $768.2B defense spending bill into law
The National Defense Authorization Act authorizes a 5% increase in military spending, and is the product of intense negotiations between Democrats and Republicans over issues ranging from reforms of the military justice system to COVID-19 vaccine requirements for soldiers.
Biden extends grace period on student loan payments through May 1
Interest rates will remain at 0% during that period, and debt collection efforts will be suspended. Those measures have been in place since early in the pandemic, but were set to expire Jan. 31.
Secret Service: Nearly $100B stolen in pandemic relief funds
The Labor Department has reported about $87 billion in unemployment benefits could have been paid improperly, with a significant portion attributable to fraud.
AG Rokita sues Biden administration over preschool masks, vaccine mandates
Indiana and 23 other states filed the suit to stop rules that require students as young as 2 years old to wear masks if they attend a preschool program funded by Head Start.
Biden pivots to home tests to confront omicron surge
A cornerstone of Biden’s plan to battle omicron is to purchase 500 million coronavirus rapid tests for free shipment to Americans starting in January.
Biden will try to rally exhausted Americans against omicron threat
In a speech Tuesday, Biden will outline plans to expand coronavirus testing sites across the country, distribute a half-billion free at-home tests and deploy more federal health resources to aid strained hospitals, including emergency teams bound for Indiana.
Members of Congress want answers from Amazon on warehouse collapse
The letter from more than a dozen lawmakers asks Amazon for documents and details about its policies for safety drills, storm shelters and flexible working hours during storms.
Democrats try to ‘build back’ after Manchin tanks $2T bill
But they face serious questions whether the $2 trillion initiative can be refashioned to win his crucial vote or the party will be saddled with a devastating defeat.
Manchin’s ‘no’ vote on Build Back Better bill undercuts Biden’s climate agenda
The senator, who had been the chief Democratic obstacle to the White House’s sweeping policy initiative for nearly six months, said he could not support the bill because of his concerns about inflation, the growing deficit and the need to focus on the omicron coronavirus variant.
Lawmakers, business leaders begin to raise alarms about dwindling federal aid, as omicron cases rise across U.S.
Over nearly two years, Congress has committed nearly $6 trillion toward combating the virus and boosting the economy, but some of the most significant programs to keep businesses afloat and help households pay bills have expired or run out of funds.
Biden, Manchin said to be sharply divided over $2T Dem social bill
The rocky status of their talks, described only on condition of anonymity by a person familiar with the talks, was among several indications that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer faces a struggle to even begin debate on the massive measure before Christmas.
Congress sends Biden $2.5T debt limit hike, avoiding default
Capping a marathon day, the House gave final approval to the legislation early Wednesday morning on a near-party-line 221-209 vote, defusing a volatile issue until after the 2022 midterm elections.
Biden’s plan for covering OTC virus testing has retro approach
Omicron is not the only reason testing is taking on renewed importance. Anticipated approval of antiviral pills that COVID patients can take at home is also expected to increase demand for fast tests that can provide reliable results.
Treasury awards $8.7B for lending in minority communities
The funds from the Emergency Capital Investment Program, which was created this year, will go to 186 community-based financial institutions.
New inflation number feeds angst about Democrats’ $2T bill
A report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said that if many of the bill’s temporary spending boosts and tax cuts were made permanent, it would add $3 trillion to the price tag. That would more than double its 10-year cost to around $5 trillion.
Senate passes bill easing way for debt limit increase
Key to the agreement is that Democrats will have to vote on a specific amount by which the debt ceiling will be lifted. The amount has not yet been disclosed, but it is sure to be a staggering sum.
Judge blocks Biden vaccine mandate for federal contractors
The order came in response to a lawsuit from several contractors and seven states. It applies across the U.S. because one of those challenging the order is the trade group Associated Builders and Contractors Inc.
Treasury proposes new disclosure rule to fight corruption
The proposed new rule would require companies to identify who owns and controls them, rather than the names of the people who formed the company.