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U.S. Justice Department to ask Supreme Court to reject limits on access to abortion pill
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Justice Department announced Thursday it will ask the Supreme Court on an emergency basis to keep access to the abortion medication mifepristone exactly as it is now, amid the appeals process in a much-watched case out of Texas. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement the department “strongly disagrees” with […]
Report: Biden says South Carolina should be first primary state, Michigan first in Midwest
By Jane Norman and Robin Opsahl WASHINGTON — While President Joe Biden is reportedly recommending to the Democratic National Committee that South Carolina become the first primary state in the presidential nominating process in 2024, Iowa Democratic Chair Ross Wilburn said the state party is still beholden to Iowa law requiring it hold the first […]
How Medicare prescription drug coverage would change under U.S. Senate Democrats’ bill
WASHINGTON — A major spending bill from U.S. Senate Democrats would allow Medicare for the first time in its history to begin negotiating the prices of certain high-priced prescription drugs — a proposal that’s been around for years but has never come so close to the finish line. Under the legislation, Medicare would start negotiating the […]
Biden tests positive for COVID-19 again in ‘rebound’ infection
WASHINGTON — The White House announced that President Joe Biden tested positive again for COVID-19 late Saturday morning in what his physician said represented “rebound” positivity. “The President has experienced no reemergence of symptoms, and continues to feel quite well,” his physician, Dr. Kevin C. O’Connor, said in a letter to press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre released by […]
Biden slams COVID-19 vaccine ‘lies,’ announces free at-home tests
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday urged that COVID-19 vaccine doubters stop “peddling lies” on TV and online, as the nation grapples with a rising number of cases due to the highly transmissible omicron variant. Biden also announced new federal help for testing and treatment in the states, including 500 million at-home rapid test […]
Vaccine mandate for health care workers halted nationwide by Louisiana judge
WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Louisiana issued a ruling Tuesday blocking nationwide the Biden administration mandate requiring millions of health care workers be vaccinated against COVID-19. A suit challenging the mandate was led on behalf of multiple states by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, a Republican, and U.S. Judge Terry Doughty granted the states’ […]
How Congress will attempt the biggest expansion of U.S. social programs since FDR
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate this week passed a massive bipartisan infrastructure bill and an even larger budget blueprint that would pave the way for historic changes in U.S. health, education, climate and tax policies. The two measures are roped to each other, reflecting Democrats’ strategy to pass what could be bipartisan with Republicans — […]
Biden picks Cindy McCain as UN food ambassador
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Wednesday tapped Cindy McCain, the widow of former U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, as the U.S. representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture, with the rank of ambassador. Earlier this year, Arizona Republicans voted to censure Cindy McCain and two other members of the state’s GOP, former […]
Biden to meet with Western governors about wildfires, vows to raise firefighter pay
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Tuesday that he will host a meeting next week of Western governors, Cabinet members and Federal Emergency Management Agency officials “to prepare for heat, drought and wildfires in the West.” Biden at a White House FEMA briefing also sharply criticized the low salaries paid to federal wildland firefighters. “There’s […]
Biden signs law making Juneteenth a new federal holiday
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Thursday signed into law legislation declaring a legal public holiday annually on June 19, the date of the end of slavery in the U.S. known as Juneteenth. “Throughout history, Juneteenth has been known by many names —Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, Liberation Day,” Vice President Kamala Harris said at the […]
U.S. House OKs commission to probe Capitol attack, but McConnell objections may doom it
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House voted Wednesday 252-175 to give the go-ahead to the formation of an independent, bipartisan commission that would investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, despite objections from Republican leaders that the scope of the commission was not wide enough and other investigations are ongoing. Thirty-five Republicans joined with […]
Biden taps former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida to lead nation’s space program
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Friday that he’s picked former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida to head up NASA. The White House in its announcement stressed Nelson’s long experience with the U.S. space program. Nelson, a Democrat, chaired the Space Subcommittee as a member of the U.S. House for six years and during […]