McConnell announces agreement on nearly $900B coronavirus relief package
The deal includes stimulus checks and would extend unemployment benefits of up to $300 per week, which could start as early as Dec. 27.
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Lawmakers reach compromise over GOP proposal to rein in Fed’s powers, clearing path for a stimulus package deal
The breakthrough came after two days of scrambling that sent tremors across Capitol Hill, as lawmakers realized that a deal badly desired by both sides could fall through at the last minute.
U.S. clears Moderna vaccine for COVID-19, 2nd shot in arsenal
Much-needed doses are set to arrive Monday after the Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of the vaccine developed by Moderna Inc. and the National Institutes of Health.
Congressional leaders eye stopgap measure with hours before lapse in government funding
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the No. 2 Senate Republican, told reporters Friday afternoon that expectations of a deal by the end of the day reflected “a triumph of hope over experience.”
Pence, wife Karen, surgeon general get COVID-19 vaccines
Vice President Mike Pence became the highest ranking U.S. official to receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday in a live-television event aimed at reassuring Americans the shot is safe.
Shutdown deadline looms over COVID-19 relief package talks
Bearing down on a midnight shutdown deadline, top negotiators on a must-pass, almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package are committed to sealing an agreement Friday as they resolve remaining differences.
Hack against U.S. is ‘grave’ threat, cybersecurity agency says
The hack compromised federal agencies and “critical infrastructure” in a sophisticated attack that was hard to detect and will be difficult to undo, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said in an unusual warning message.
Snags on COVID-19 relief package might force weekend sessions
The pending bill is the first significant legislative response to the pandemic since the landmark CARES Act passed virtually unanimously in March, delivering $1.8 trillion in aid.
State makes plans for $650M in remaining CARES Act money as deadline nears
The state received $2.4 billion earlier this year from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund, which was established in the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act. The funding must be used for pandemic-related expenses incurred before Dec. 30.
Congressional leaders add stimulus checks to $900B relief package as they near deal
The package emerging is expected to include hundreds of billions of dollars in aid for ailing small businesses and jobless Americans and a one-time check of between $600 and $700 for millions of Americans below a certain income threshold.
Biden says Buttigieg will play key role in rebuilding country after pandemic
The choice of Pete Buttigieg, who sought the Democratic presidential nomination and has an ardent following among some members of the party, will bring a dash of star power to what is normally a staid, if important, department.
United States angling to secure more of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine
U.S. officials say they’re actively negotiating for additional purchases of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine after passing up a chance to lock in a contract this summer since it was still unclear how well the shots would work.
Biden introduces ex-rival Buttigieg as transportation pick
President-elect Joe Biden introduced Democratic primary rival Pete Buttigieg on Wednesday as his nominee for transportation secretary, calling the 38-year-old ex-mayor of South Bend “a new voice, with new ideas determined to move past old politics.”
Negotiators near agreement on long-delayed COVID-19 aid bill
Top congressional leaders are hoping to seal a deal as early as Wednesday that would extend aid to individuals and businesses and help ship coronavirus vaccines to millions.
U.S. spent billions on system for detecting hacks, but Russians outsmarted it
This year’s months-long hack of federal networks has revealed new weaknesses and underscored some previously known ones, including the government’s reliance on widely used commercial software that provides potential attack vectors for nation-state hackers.
Biden to pick Buttigieg as transportation chief, sources say
Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, one of Biden’s rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination, was a breakout star of the primaries.
Crunch time for COVID-19 relief as bipartisan bills unveiled
The dozen or so lawmakers sealed agreement on their COVID relief plan over the weekend and decided to offer two pandemic relief packages with varying price tags.
Vaccines roll out as officials share months-long timeline for immunization effort
Federal officials hope to have given both of the required vaccine doses to 100 million people by the end of March. It could take two to three more months to immunize enough people to prompt herd immunity.
FDA tries to reassure public on safety of COVID-19 vaccine
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn denied Saturday that the White House had threatened his job if the agency didn’t move quickly on the vaccine.
White House threatens FDA chief’s job over vaccine approval
Food and Drug Administration chief Stephen Hahn signaled that he would tell regulators to allow the vaccine to be issued on an emergency basis, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said.