Lawmakers reach deal on spending bill, but hurdles remain
Congressional leaders reached agreement Thursday on a stopgap spending bill to keep the federal government running through mid-February, though a temporary shutdown was still possible.
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Holcomb extends public health emergency in Indiana
The signing marks the 21st time Holcomb has extended the state’s COVID-19 public health emergency, which has been in place since March 2020.
At historic abortion arguments, conservative justices signal changes
The high court is hearing arguments Wednesday in which the justices are being asked to overrule the court’s historic 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion and its 1992 ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which reaffirmed Roe.
Lawmakers formally file legislation to limit business vaccine mandates
House Bill 1001 was the first bill filed for the legislative session that kicks off on Jan. 4, meaning it is likely a priority for GOP leadership.
Indiana lawmakers won’t return for one-day session on COVID-19 legislation
Legislative leaders said they now will plan to address COVID-19 vaccine mandates and the public health emergency during the regular session in January.
Biden administration asks court to allow vaccine mandate
The legal tussle over the vaccine mandate for larger private employers is one of several challenges over Biden administration vaccine rules. Courts so far have not halted two other mandates—one for health care workers and one for contractors for the federal government.
For many, expedited bill to weaken vaccine mandates either goes too far or not far enough
Republican leaders are trying to speed legislation through the Indiana General Assembly that would effectively force private employers that mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for employees to allow for any medical or religious exemptions—no questions asked.
U.S. to release 50 million barrels of reserve oil to ease energy costs
The move is aimed at global energy markets, but also at U.S. voters who are coping with higher inflation and rising prices ahead of Thanksgiving and winter holiday travel.
Analysis: Biden’s Federal Reserve pick reflects political balancing act
By picking Jerome Powell to stay on as chair of the powerful Federal Reserve, President Joe Biden is trying to navigate hazardous crosscurrents between economic and political forces.
Indiana GOP bill stymies workplace COVID-19 vaccine mandates
The bill is set on an extraordinary fast track for approval, with a single public hearing scheduled for Tuesday at the Statehouse followed by the House and Senate voting on final approval six days later.
Cap on drug price hikes for privately insured sparks battle
The main drug industry lobbying group, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, says inflation rebates would undermine innovation that continues after medicines are approved.
Renewed Indiana pot legalization push faces GOP opposition
The Republican-dominated Legislature has not taken any action on bills submitted over the past decade for allowing medical marijuana or removing criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of the drug.
Two Democratic senators oppose Powell as Fed chair
Their opposition comes as President Joe Biden is expected to announce within days whom he will choose for the nation’s most powerful economic position.
Here’s what’s inside Dems’ massive social and climate measure
The 2,135-page bill includes universal preschool, funding to limit child care costs, expanded health care programs and a one-year continuation of a child tax credit, among many other provisions.
U.S. House passes $2T-plus spending package to expand social benefits, fight climate change
The measure adopted Friday amounts to a dramatic re-envisioning of the role of government in Americans’ daily lives. It still must survive an even tougher political slog in the days ahead.
House moves toward OK of Dems’ sweeping social, climate bill
House approval is expected Friday on a near party-line vote. That would send the measure to a Senate where cost-cutting demands by moderate Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and that chamber’s strict rules seemed certain to force significant changes.
Pfizer, U.S. ink $5.29B deal for possible COVID-19 treatment
Pfizer asked the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday to authorize emergency use of the experimental pill, which has been shown to significantly cut the rate of hospitalizations and deaths among people with coronavirus infections.
Indiana’s highway system stagnant in national ranking, study says
The foundation’s 26th annual highway rankings place the Hoosier state at 32 for the second straight year, dinging it for poor rural and urban interstate pavement, insufficient maintenance expenditures, low capital and bridge spending, and more.
Indiana high court taking governor’s suit over emergency law
The legal fight over the increased power Indiana legislators gave themselves to intervene during public health emergencies will be going before the state Supreme Court, although not for nearly five months.
City to invest $3.5 million in far-east side through Lift Indy program
The far-east area is Lift Indy’s seventh designee, after Mid-North, Monon16, the Old Southside, East 10th Street, the Near-North and Martindale-Brightwood.