Tag Archives: Congress

Dem Rep Gavels In US House Wearing Mask [VIDEO]

The Washington Post reports: In a sign of the times, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) on Tuesday became the first member of the House to preside over the chamber wearing a face covering during the coronavirus crisis. Sherman wielded the gavel wearing a black mask during a brief “pro forma session,” which the House and the Senate use to satisfy a …

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Lawmakers Seek Funding To Keep USPS Running

CBS News reports: Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, postal workers have been on the front lines, considered “essential workers” who must continue to do their jobs as usual while others stay home. But some lawmakers are warning that without more support, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) could completely shut down in the next few months, threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of …

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LIVE VIDEO: House Debates Coronavirus Stimulus Bill

USA Today reports: Several members of Congress from New York City are traveling to Washington, D.C., Friday to vote on the coronavirus stimulus package despite White House guidance for New Yorkers to self-quarantine Earlier this week at a coronavirus task force press briefing, Dr. Deborah Birx advised people from New York to self-quarantine for 14 days after leaving the city …

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Dow Soars 2100 Pts On Hopes Of Stimulus Bill Deal

ABC News reports: U.S. equity markets registered the strongest one-day rebound in history on Tuesday amid investor optimism that members of Congress will overcome their differences to reach a deal on a nearly $2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package. In the final hour of trading, gains picked up steam giving the Dow Jones Industrial Average a 2,112 point gain, the biggest …

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House Rep Is First Member Of Congress To Test Positive

The Miami Herald reports: Miami Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart became the first member of Congress to test positive for the novel coronavirus, his office said Wednesday. Diaz-Balart entered self-quarantine on Friday, March 13 and stayed in Washington because his wife Tia has a pre-existing medical condition. On Saturday evening, Diaz-Balart devleoped symptoms, including a fever and headache, according to his …

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McConnell Cancels Senate’s Spring Break Recess

CNBC reports: The Senate will cancel its recess planned for next week as Congress scrambles to respond to the economic effects of the coronavirus outbreak, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday. “Notwithstanding the scheduled state work period, the Senate will be in session next week,” the Kentucky Republican said in a tweet. “I am glad talks are ongoing between the …

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Congress Shutters US Capitol Buildings To Public

The Associated Press reports: Congress is shutting the Capitol and all House and Senate office buildings to the public until April in reaction to the spread of the coronavirus. The House and Senate sergeants at arms said in a statement that the closure will begin at 5 p.m. EDT Thursday. Lawmakers, aides, journalists and official visitors will be allowed into …

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Congress Told To Expect 70-150 Million US Virus Cases

Axios reports: Congress’ in-house doctor told Capitol Hill staffers at a close-door meeting this week that he expects 70-150 million people in the U.S. — roughly a third of the country — to contract the coronavirus, two sources briefed on the meeting tell Axios. That estimate, which is in line with other projections from health experts, underscores the potential seriousness …

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Pelosi Rejects Call For Recess Over Coronavirus Threat

The Hill reports: With the Capitol consumed by anxiety over the coronavirus, Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) rose in a closed-door caucus meeting Tuesday and told his Democratic colleagues they should leave Washington and return home to their districts, where they would be safer. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) immediately quashed the idea, according to multiple sources in the room. “We …

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Congress May Recess Over Virus, Pelosi To Consider

NBC News reports: Members of Congress are becoming increasingly anxious about coronavirus, and there is growing pressure on leadership to take steps to protect lawmakers — even potentially recessing for a period of weeks — two Democratic congressional sources said Sunday. Multiple sources said anxiety was on the rise among lawmakers as more cases are reported and the virus spreads. …

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Congress Preps Plan For Telecommuting Due To Virus

Fox News reports: A memo regarding congressional operations and the coronavirus threat sent to all House offices by the House Administration Committee on Friday signals the House is seriously preparing for scenarios where staff may have to telework “in light of the unique and unusual circumstances presented by the coronavirus.” The memo obtained by Fox News indicates House offices may …

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Trump Signs $8.3B Virus Emergency Spending Bill

CNBC reports: President Donald Trump on Friday signed a sweeping spending bill to combat the spread of the new coronavirus, injecting billions of dollars into prevention efforts and research to quickly produce a vaccine for the deadly disease. The $8.3 billion aid package was unveiled by appropriations leaders in Congress on Wednesday and sailed through the House and Senate by …

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Congress Agrees To $8B Coronavirus Spending Bill

The Washington Post reports: Bipartisan congressional negotiators reached agreement Wednesday on a roughly $8 billion emergency spending bill to combat the coronavirus, racing to send it to President Trump’s desk by the end of the week. The deal must still be voted on by the House later Wednesday and the Senate on Thursday, and bipartisan support is expected. The deal …

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Congress Set To Approve $7.5B Virus Spending Bill

The Washington Post reports: Bipartisan negotiators on Capitol Hill are closing in on a $7.5 billion emergency spending bill to fight the coronavirus, two people familiar with the negotiations said late Monday. The legislation is likely to be made public on Tuesday and pass the House later this week, before moving to the Senate. The people spoke on the condition …

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Live Video: Trump Delivers State Of The Union Address

Newsweek reports: President Donald Trump will deliver his third State of the Union address Tuesday on the eve of the Senate’s impeachment trial vote. The speech gives the president an opportunity to share his thoughts on America’s current condition and his vision for the country’s future. But this year, before Trump’s address in the House of Representatives, senators will take …

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Congress Votes To Raise National Smoking Age To 21

Agence France-Press reports: The US Congress voted Thursday to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco and e-cigarettes from 18 to 21 across the country, a move intended to stem the rising tide of youth vaping. Passed by the Senate as part of a wider budgetary bill, it will take effect next year and will mean that tobacco and e-cigarettes …

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Congress Pressures Trump On Russian Nuke Treaty

Reuters reports: U.S. lawmakers of both parties are pressuring the White House to extend the last remaining restraints on U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons deployments by demanding intelligence assessments on the costs of allowing the New START treaty to lapse. The demands, contained in three bills that may be harmonized this week, reflect doubts about whether the Trump administration has …

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Congress To Raise National Smoking Age To 21

Politico reports: Congress is on the verge of a sweeping health care reform: Federally prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to people under 21. The legislation significantly raising the age cap on cigarettes and e-cigarettes is increasingly likely to be included in the year-end spending deal, the result of support from a diverse coalition of lawmakers, according to four people …

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Gun Lobby To Target Lawmakers With Huge Ad Buy

The Daily Beast reports: The firearms industry’s lobbying group is spending about $250,000 on ads directed at lawmakers as the gun debate intensifies on Capitol Hill, according to an official with the group. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade group that represents the gun industry, has started running ads in Washington, according to an NSSF official. It is …

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Michael Cohen: I Look Forward To Telling The American People My Story And They Can Decide For Themselves

The Washington Examiner reports: Michael Cohen is eagerly awaiting the chance to tell the American people his side of the story before reporting to prison for, among other charges, lying to Congress. Cohen, President Trump’s longtime personal lawyer, made the brief comment Tuesday after a marathon, closed-door interview with the Senate Intelligence Committee. “At this point in time, I really …

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