The U.S. economy added 379,000 jobs in February beating economists’ estimates of 210,000, and indicating that one year into the pandemic, the labor market is finally showing signs of recovery. In the first full monthly employment report under President Joe Biden, the unemployment rate fell to 6.2 percent, from 6.3 percent in January, according to… Read More
The House is out until next week, a decision made yesterday in light of a possible plot to attack the Capitol today inspired by the pro-Trump conspiracy theory known as QAnon. Intelligence analysts had spent weeks tracking online chatter by some QAnon adherents who have latched on to March 4th, the original inauguration date set… Read More
President Joe Biden has agreed to moderate Democrats’ demands to narrow eligibility for stimulus checks, but rejected a push to trim extra unemployment benefits, as he tries to win support for his $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill. Individuals earning over $80,000 now won’t qualify for the direct payments, compared with a $100,000 cap in the… Read More
The Senate met at 10:30 a.m. and resumed consideration of the nomination of Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo to be Secretary of Commerce and at 2:15pm the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nomination. Following disposition of the Raimondo nomination, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of… Read More
The House approved a massive $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, advancing President Joe Biden’s top agenda item and providing more resources to schools and businesses, boosting funding for vaccinations and testing, and granting financial relief to Americans across the country. Democrats passed the measure early Saturday morning in a party-line vote, with Republicans united against… Read More
The Senate parliamentarian ruled Thursday that Democrats can’t include the $15 per hour minimum wage hike in the COVID-19 economic relief package, the American Rescue Plan. Senate Democrats including Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), had argued it could be included in the budget reconciliation process. There are strict rules for utilizing the budget reconciliation process, such… Read More
A busy day on Capitol Hill today on both sides of the dome. The Senate convened at 11 a.m. and at noon, the Senate will resume considering Jennifer Granholm as President Joe Biden’s Energy Secretary. The Senate voted 67-32 Wednesday afternoon to end debate on the nomination of the former Michigan governor teeing up a… Read More
More than 150 of the largest New York chief executives urged Congress to pass President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID stimulus package in a letter Wednesday morning. The letter comes as the Democratic controlled House is set to vote on the bill later this week, where it is widely expected to pass and advance to… Read More
The House Budget Committee on Monday advanced President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill in a party line vote of 19-16. Now the package heads to the House Rules Committee, where amendments will be considered. A floor vote is expected by Friday or Saturday and the package will then be sent to the Senate… Read More
The Senate will return to work today at 3pm in executive session to resume consideration of the nomination of Linda Thomas-Greenfield to be the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, with a cloture vote expected at 5:30 p.m. The final vote for confirmation is expected Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. Judge Merrick Garland’s bid to… Read More
