Judge throws out Trump rules limiting skilled-worker visas
A federal judge on Tuesday struck down two Trump administration rules designed to drastically curtail the number of H-1B visas issued each year to skilled foreign workers.
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Barr: No evidence of fraud that would change election outcome
U.S. Attorney General William Barr said Tuesday that attorneys and FBI agents have been working to follow up specific complaints and information they’ve received, but they’ve uncovered no evidence that would change the election.
Bipartisan group of senators prepares $908B stimulus plan
Several centrist lawmakers in the Senate held a news conference Tuesday morning to push their proposal as a template for legislation that could pass Congress as the economy faces increasing strain from a winter surge in coronavirus cases.
City sets Wednesday deadline for pandemic rental assistance applications
The program, which opened in July to help tenants avoid eviction during the pandemic, has provided more than $26 million in federal money to more than 12,000 households.
Congress returns with virus aid, federal funding unresolved
After months of shadowboxing amid a tense and toxic campaign, Capitol Hill’s main players are returning for one final, perhaps futile, attempt at deal-making on a challenging menu of year-end business.
Mnuchin denies trying to hinder incoming administration
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said a decision to end several emergency loan programs being run by the Federal Reserve was based on the fact that the programs were not being heavily utilized.
Trump makes late-term bid to lower prescription drug costs
In a time of political uncertainty, it’s hard to say whether the rules will withstand expected legal challenges from the pharmaceutical industry or whether the incoming Biden administration will accept, amend or try to roll them back entirely.
Tight spot: Trump loss complicates Pence’s political future
With President Trump’s loss—after Vice President Mike Pence spent the last four years as his most loyal soldier and the past year doggedly campaigning on his behalf—the vice president is contending with a far less certain future.
Feds announce COVID-19 vaccine agreement with drug stores
Thursday’s agreement with major chain drug stores, grocery market pharmacies and other chains and networks covers about 3 in 5 pharmacies in all 50 states and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico.
Post-election rancor clouds chances for quick COVID-19 relief bill
President-elect Joe Biden’s top allies on Capitol Hill adopted a combative posture on COVID-19 relief on Thursday, pressing their case for a $2 trillion bill that’s a nonstarter for Republicans.
Hogsett asks Congress to help in COVID-19 fight with more aid
The city previously received $168 million in CARE funds, all of which has already been appropriated to various programs and efforts aimed at helping local government, residents and businesses get through the pandemic.
Biden taps Indianapolis native Klain as his chief of staff
Ron Klain served as chief of staff for Biden during President Barack Obama’s first term, was chief of staff to Vice President Al Gore in the mid-1990s and was a key adviser on the Biden campaign, guiding Biden’s debate preparations and coronavirus response.
TikTok asks court to intervene as Trump order looms
TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, has until Thursday to sell off its U.S. operations under an executive order that Trump signed in August.
Biden plans immediate flurry of executive orders to reverse Trump policies
Biden’s top advisers have spent months quietly working on how best to implement his agenda, with hundreds of transition officials preparing to get to work inside various federal agencies.
Biden renews call for patience as Trump campaign launches more legal fights over ballots
Joe Biden insisted Thursday that he was on the verge of winning the presidency. He remained in the lead with 253 electoral votes to the president’s 214, and enjoyed a number of pathways toward winning the 270 needed to secure the presidency.
Fed signals readiness to do more for economy as virus rages
The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate at a record low near zero Thursday. It announced no new actions after its latest policy meeting but left the door open to provide further assistance in the coming months.
Republican Spartz wins 5th District race over Democrat Hale
As of Wednesday evening—with most of the votes counted—Spartz had a lead of nearly 18,000 votes over Democrat Christina Hale.
With presidency in reach, Democrats grapple with disappointment
Joe Biden appeared to have a clear advantage in being elected president Wednesday afternoon, but the failure to achieve a clear Democratic wave as projected left President Donald Trump’s critics deeply disappointed.
Another rating agency shifts 5th District in favor of Democrats
Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics announced the rating change Monday morning for the tight race between Republican state Sen. Victoria Spartz and former Democratic state lawmaker Christina Hale.
States say they lack federal funds to distribute coronavirus vaccines
State health officials are expressing frustration about a lack of federal financial support as they face orders to prepare to receive and distribute the first doses of a coronavirus vaccine by Nov. 15, even though one is not likely to be approved until later this year.