Newsletter Archive

December 2020

Congress Sets Up a Veto Showdown With Trump

The Senate on Friday approved a one-week stopgap bill to fund the government and avoid a partial shutdown after midnight, buying lawmakers more time to negotiate a coronavirus relief plan and finalize a $1.4 trillion spending package for…

Plus: Plus, next week will be jam-packed

McConnell Deals a Blow to Covid Relief Talks

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has called himself the “grim reaper,” relishing his role in killing off the legislative priorities of Democrats led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Plus: Plus, jobless claims jump to 3-month high

Momentum for Covid-Relief Bill Fizzles

The House voted 343 to 67 Wednesday to approve a one-week measure that would keep the government funded until December 18, providing Congress with a bit more time to hash out a full-year funding bill and perhaps finalize an elusive Covid…

Plus: Plus, a tax break for Bezos

Pelosi Rejects McConnell Offer on Covid Relief

Lawmakers introduced a stopgap funding bill Tuesday that would fund the government until December 18, giving them another week to hash out a full-year bill as well as a relief package to boost the pandemic-ravaged economy. The House is…

Plus: Plus, Biden's 3 goals for fighting the virus

Half a Million Dead by April?

With just a few days to go before significant parts of the federal government are forced to shut down, lawmakers are contemplating a short-term bill to give themselves a little more time to work out a full-year funding package, as well as…

Plus: Plus, Biden announces his health team

Biden Calls for Urgent Action on $900B Stimulus Deal

President-elect Joe Biden on Friday called for “urgent action” on a coronavirus-relief package, indicating that lawmakers should pass a bipartisan compromise package as a “down payment” toward additional coronavirus aid after he takes…

Plus: Plus, the economy is flashing yellow lights

Stimulus Deal Gains Steam as McConnell, Pelosi Talk

The prospects of a coronavirus relief bill of some sort passing before the end of the year picked up momentum on Thursday, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) spoke by phone about a deal…

Plus: Plus, Trump doubles down on defense bill veto threat

Pelosi and Schumer Make a Big Concession on Stimulus

Coronavirus stimulus discussions saw some dramatic movement on Wednesday, but it’s not clear yet whether that will translate to real progress toward a deal.

Plus: Plus, Trump’s defense bill veto threat