Tag Archives: Congress

Politico reports: Congress’ attending physician informed lawmakers Monday night that two staffers in every House member and senator’s personal offices are now eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine. In addition, the Office of the Attending Physician is offering the vaccine to four staffers of every committee chair and every ranking committee member. The announcement, a memo from Brian Monahan to …

The Hill reports: National Republicans are desperate to avoid a floor fight in Congress over the certification of the Electoral College vote next month, believing it would be horrible politics to continue waging what most recognize to be a hopeless battle to overturn the outcome of the election. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has intervened, asking his members not …

CNBC reports: President Donald Trump signed a two-day government funding bill into law Friday night as Congress tries to buy time to strike a spending and coronavirus relief deal. The president inked the legislation to keep the government running about an hour-and-a-half before a midnight deadline to pass spending legislation. The stopgap measure would fund federal operations through Sunday until …

Mediaite reports: Senator James Inhofe (R- OK) said on Friday that he’s going to leave on Saturday and said Congress should get the stimulus deal done before then. Inhofe spoke on the Senate floor Friday, talking about a number of historical events that have happened in December 19th, before saying that day is his anniversary. And Inhofe made a point …

The Washington Post reports: As District leaders prepare to shell out tens of millions of dollars on the presidential inauguration, they are sounding alarm bells over the federal government’s failure to repay them for the costs of Trump’s inauguration four years ago. The federal government is supposed to cover expenses related to federal activity in the District, but Congress has …

The Washington Post reports: A few years ago, Sens. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) and Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) established unusual benchmarks for deciding whether to run for reelection in 2022, potential six-year terms that would end with Grassley in his mid-90s and Leahy in his late 80s. Today, seven senators are at least 80 years old, the second-largest number of …

The Hill reports: Lawmakers on Thursday officially unveiled a compromise defense bill that excludes President Trump’s demanded repeal of a key liability protection for online tech platforms. The compromise National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes a requirement that the Pentagon rename Confederate-named military bases in three years. Trump has threatened to veto the NDAA over both issues. Senate Armed Services …

Politico reports: Sen. Dianne Feinstein plans to step down as the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee in the next Congress, after facing blowback from progressives for her handling of Amy Coney Barrett’s contentious Supreme Court confirmation hearing. “After serving as the lead Democrat on the Judiciary Committee for four years, I will not seek the chairmanship or ranking …

NBC News reports: More lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer candidates will appear on ballots across the country this November than ever before, according to a new report from the LGBTQ Victory Fund, a group that trains, supports and advocates for queer candidates. At least 1,006 openly LGBTQ people ran or are still running for office this election cycle, up …

Fox News reports: More than two-dozen former Republican members of Congress threw their support behind a “Republicans for Biden” effort being launched Monday by the Democratic presidential nominee’s campaign to engage potential GOP supporters this November. The announcement comes on the first day of the Republican National Convention, as delegates prepare to formally re-nominate President Trump on Monday. In their …

Baton Rouge’s ABC News affiliate reports: Senator Bill Cassidy announced Thursday, Aug. 20 that he has tested positive for COVID-19. He says after being notified Wednesday night that he was exposed to someone with the virus, he was tested Thursday and received a positive result. Cassidy says he has contacted his doctor and is strictly following CDC recommendations to quarantine …

NBC News reports: In the aftermath of Rep. Louie Gohmert’s positive COVID-19 test, the debate around sending rapid test machines to the Capitol is back in full force. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell don’t agree on much, but they are on the same page about not bringing rapid testing to Capitol Hill — and there …

The Washington Post reports: At least seven members of Congress or their spouses received loans, including lawmakers who were directly involved in shaping regulations and also benefited from a blanket waiver of ethics concerns. Among the loan recipients disclosed is KTAK Corp., a Tulsa-based operator of fast food franchises owned by Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.). KTAK reported receiving between $1 …

ABC News reports: CIA Director Gina Haspel led a slate of intelligence officials to the U.S. Capitol Thursday to brief a select group of lawmakers on reports Russia offered bounties to the Taliban to kill American troops in Afghanistan. Members of the so-called “Gang of Eight” were expected to attend Thursday’s briefing. The exclusive group is comprised of the legislative …

The Washington Post reports: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Thursday defended Democratic efforts to change the chamber’s rules to allow remote voting during the coronavirus pandemic, arguing that the move is “not in opposition to the traditions of the House.” The House will vote Friday on the proposed rule changes, which were drafted after bipartisan negotiations. The proposal would …

Roll Call reports: Mike Kelly was back home in his district at the end of St. Patrick’s Day week when he started to experience “flu-like” symptoms that included headache, upset stomach and chills. “My wife said, ‘You know what? I don’t like the way things are going here.’” What came next is quickly becoming a ritual for members of Congress …

Politico reports: The Capitol’s attending physician said Thursday that coronavirus tests will be available for staffers and senators that are ill, but not enough to proactively test all 100 senators as the chamber comes back in session, according to two people familiar with the matter. In a conference call with top GOP officials, Dr. Brian Monahan said that there is …

The Independent reports: Donald Trump is threatening to use a never-before-employed power of his office to adjourn both chambers of Congress so he can make “recess appointments” to fill vacant positions within his administration he says Senate Democrats are keeping empty amid the coronavirus pandemic. Mr Trump opened his daily virus press conference on Wednesday by griping about Senate Democrats …

Roll Call reports: “The House will be in order,” said Rep. Don Beyer, projecting his voice more forcefully than usual. He had to; he was wearing a homemade face mask, pulled up so far over the bridge of his nose that it almost brushed the tips of his eyelashes. The mask was made by his daughter, who is staying with …

The Associated Press reports: Like millions of people around the world, homebound members of Congress have time on their hands for suggestions, and they’re making them with rising urgency — from virtual congressional hearings to remote voting and the more likely buddy system by which votes are cast by proxy. Proxy voting, or the practice of an absent member giving …