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☆ Congress averts a government shutdown, sending a short-term funding bill to Biden
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Scott Wong | Sahil Kapur | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Congress sent a short-term funding bill to President Joe Biden's desk Thursday, averting a partial government shutdown this weekend and buying lawmakers more time to fund federal agencies through September. The CR is part of a broader bipartisan spending deal congressional leaders announced Wednesday that includes six of the 12 spending bills that fund federal agencies. The new CR would extend the funding deadline for half of the dozen must-pass spending bills by one week, to March 8. Leaders say that should give Congress enough time to pass all of the spending bills for the fiscal year that ends on Sept. 30. He has indicated that foreign aid will be tackled separately, without committing to allowing a vote on the Ukraine funding.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Jack Teixeira, Chuck Schumer, I've, I'm, Biden, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Veterans Affairs —, Karine Jean, Pierre said, Sen, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, Bob Good, We've Organizations: U.S . Capitol, Pentagon, Energy, Interior, Justice, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, CR, Caucus, NBC, Republican Locations: Washington , U.S, Agriculture, Commerce, Ky, Israel, Taiwan, Ukraine

In a striking turn of events, Senate Republicans threatened Monday to block a major, bipartisan border security and asylum restrictions package, just one day after their chief negotiator signed off on it. "I would anticipate Wednesday the cloture vote does not pass," Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., the lead GOP negotiator in the border talks, told reporters after the meeting. Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters that Republicans worry there "hasn't been adequate time" to process the bill yet. The 370-page bill, finalized and released on Sunday, was crafted with the input of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who advocated for it on the Senate floor Monday, warning of crises at the southern border and internationally. McConnell told Republicans that if they have reasons to vote against the bill, they could, given that talks on amendments and how to proceed are ongoing, said a source familiar with the meeting.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, Sen, James Lankford, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Trump, John Thune, It's, McConnell —, —, McConnell, I've, Brian Schatz Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Republicans, GOP, Republican, Radical Left Democrats, Democratic Locations: Washington , U.S, Ky, Ukraine, Israel, Hawaii

☆ Christian Horner, Red Bull's F1 team principal, under investigation by company
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Dennis Romero | Sahil Kapur | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Christian Horner ahead of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on November 26, 2023. Red Bull has commissioned an investigation into Christian Horner, the team principal of its highly successful Formula 1 racing team. In a statement Monday, Red Bull characterized the investigation of Horner, who is also CEO of Oracle Red Bull Racing, as independent. This process, which is already underway, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister," Red Bull said in a statement. Red Bull is the reigning constructors' champion in the world's premier auto racing series.

Persons: Christian Horner, Red Bull, Bull, Horner, Telegraaf, Red, Max Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel, Verstappen's Organizations: Abu, Prix, Yas Marina Circuit, United, United Arab Emirates, Oracle Red Bull Locations: Abu Dhabi, United Arab

☆ New Hampshire's primary hasn't even finished, but Republican Senate and campaign chairs are already calling Trump the 'presumptive nominee'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewThe Iowa Caucuses in mid-January marked the beginning of the primary season for the Republican Party. And while it's the only event that's even been completed thus far, party officials have already dubbed former President Donald Trump as the "presumptive nominee." Rep. Richard Hudson, the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, and Sen. Steve Daines, chair of the National Congressional Senate Committee, both made the comments after Florida Gov. "Donald Trump is the presumptive nominee," Daines said. "He is the presumptive nominee.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Richard Hudson, Sen, Steve Daines, Ron DeSantis, Daines, Joe Biden, Hudson, Sahil Kapur, There's, Trump, Trump's, Haley, it'll, hasn't, he's Organizations: Service, Republican Party, Business, National Republican Congressional Committee, National Congressional, Committee, Florida Gov, Senate, NBC News, GOP, Republican, Trump Locations: Iowa

WASHINGTON — Congress passed a bill on Thursday that would prevent a partial government shutdown this weekend and keep federal funds flowing through March 1 and March 8. It is the third stopgap bill since last September as the divided Congress struggles to agree on full-year government funding bills. The first stopgap bill led to the ouster of Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as speaker. Around the same time, the House announced that it would cancel votes on Friday in anticipation of a winter storm and complete votes on the stopgap bill on Thursday. The funding bill is unrelated to negotiations surrounding an immigration and national security supplemental bill that would provide aid to Ukraine and Israel.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Mike Johnson, Joe Biden's, Kevin McCarthy, Johnson, Schumer inveighed, rousers, Schumer, It's, we're Organizations: U.S, Capitol, WASHINGTON —, Democratic, Republican, House Republicans Locations: Washington , DC, Ukraine, Israel

☆ Congress announces tax deal to expand child tax credit and revive breaks for businesses
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Sahil Kapur | Kate Santaliz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON — Senior lawmakers in Congress announced a bipartisan deal Tuesday to expand the child tax credit and provide a series of tax breaks for businesses. The deal, details of which were reported earlier by NBC News, would enhance refundable child tax credits in an attempt to provide relief to financially struggling and multi-child families. Democrats had demanded a larger child tax credit after an earlier version they passed for less than one year expired, causing child poverty to fall and then rise again after it lapsed. And Republicans were motivated to revive some expired portions of the 2017 Trump tax cuts for businesses. Wyden has said he hopes to pass the deal by the beginning of tax filing season, which is Jan. 29.

Persons: Cara Baldari, Evie, Sarah Orrin, Vipond, Otto, Jason Smith, Ron Wyden, Smith, " Wyden, Wyden, That's Organizations: D.C, U.S, Capitol, WASHINGTON —, Congress, NBC News, American Locations: China

☆ Mike Johnson seeks to avoid McCarthy's fate as he navigates shutdown and immigration
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Sahil Kapur | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

US House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, during a news conference at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Under pressure from right-wing members, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., faces stark challenges in keeping the government funded and responding to a potential Senate deal that would toughen immigration laws while providing funding for Ukraine. But passing the spending deal could make it politically more difficult for Johnson to support an emerging bipartisan Senate immigration deal that the right wing of the GOP is turning against. 2 is his position, but he was careful not to reveal specifics of what the House would accept if a Senate immigration deal came together, the sources said. Johnson's allies believe GOP opponents of the spending deal may vote against it but doubt they'll come for his job.

Persons: Mike Johnson, He's, Johnson, Chuck Schumer, Chip Roy, Steve Deace, Schumer, Brian Fitzpatrick, We've, it's, Doug Heye, Heye, Sen, James Lankford of, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, It's, Kevin McCarthy, Johnson's, they'll, Jodey Arrington Organizations: Republican, Ukraine, White, Congress, Republicans, GOP, Fox News, Democrats, United States Congress Locations: Louisiana, Washington , DC, Iowa, Texas, Ukraine, Russia, James Lankford of Oklahoma

☆ Rep. Patrick McHenry, who served as temporary speaker, will not seek re-election
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Sahil Kapur | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

US Representative Patrick McHenry (R-NC) speaks to members of the media outside the office of US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on October 3, 2023. WASHINGTON — Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., announced Tuesday that he won't seek re-election in 2024, a shocking move to many of his colleagues that will further thin the ranks of Republican institutionalists in Congress. He gained national attention during his three-week stint in October as House Speaker pro tempore after Republicans ousted Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., from the position. Despite his solidly conservative positions and voting record, McHenry is seen on Capitol Hill as a pragmatist and widely respected in both parties. During the speaker battle, McHenry was cited by Democratic leaders as the sort of GOP lawmaker who they trust enough to work with.

Persons: Patrick McHenry, Kevin McCarthy, Republican institutionalists, McHenry, Obama, Donald Trump, —, I've Organizations: US, WASHINGTON — Rep, Republican, Financial, Democratic, Republicans, Capitol, Trump, GOP Locations: Washington ,, R, McHenry

☆ How Formula One accidentally helped Las Vegas workers land the 'best contract ever'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Sahil Kapur | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz of Spain drives past the Sphere during the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday, November 18, 2023 on the Las Vegas Street Circuit in Las Vegas, NV. When Formula One came to Las Vegas, it brought a level of glitz and glamor rivaled only by Monaco. "Las Vegas is now the sporting capital of the world, combined with the entertainment capital of the world. "We think all the largest events in the world belong in Las Vegas. They encouraged Formula One ticket-holders to support workers by avoiding casinos or hotels mired in the labor standoff.

Persons: Carlos Sainz, Ted Pappageorge, weren't Organizations: Vegas, Las Vegas, Circuit, Monaco, Bartenders Union, MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, Wynn Resorts, Culinary Union, Formula, NBC News Locations: Spain, Las Vegas, NV, Sin City, Vegas

☆ A new hope for Ukraine aid in Washington
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Sahil Kapur | Julie Tsirkin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON — There's a renewed hope for approving additional aid to Ukraine after House Republicans resolved their speaker paralysis, and as some hard-right lawmakers critical of new funding hint at a viable path to vote on it. One month ago, then-Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., voted with 93 Republicans to cut off Ukraine aid. Now, as speaker, Johnson said he's asked White House staff "bifurcate" aid to Israel and Ukraine. But notably, some of those Republicans now say they could accept holding separate votes on Ukraine money, which they oppose, and aid to Israel, which they favor. Good also suggested pairing Ukraine aid with border security money and policy changes to the asylum system.

Persons: Mike Johnson, WASHINGTON —, Johnson, he's, Vladimir Putin, We're, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, Bob Good, it's Organizations: Republican Conference, House Republicans, Republicans, White House, Fox News, Capitol, NBC, Biden, Republican, GOP, Republican House Locations: Longworth, Ukraine, Israel, U.S, China, Taiwan

☆ Republicans nominate Mike Johnson for House speaker in latest attempt to break GOP impasse
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Scott Wong | Sahil Kapur | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) leaves a House Republican conference meeting in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill on Oct. 24, 2023 in Washington, DC. Rep. Mike Johnson, a relatively little-known Louisiana Republican and low-ranking member of the GOP leadership team, became the party's latest nominee for House speaker on Tuesday night after three other hopefuls fizzled out. It remains unclear if he can garner the 217 Republican votes — a simple majority of the full House — needed to win the coveted gavel. Johnson is seeking to achieve something that the last three nominees failed to do: win at least 217 of the 221 Republican votes needed to become speaker. Another wild card in the speaker's race is Trump, who knifed Emmer on Tuesday after he won the nomination.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Tom Emmer, Johnson, Emmer, Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan of, Jordan, Liz Cheney, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump Organizations: Rep, Republican, Washington , DC, Louisiana Republican, GOP, GOP Conference, Committee, New York Times, Electoral, The Times, Republicans, Trump Locations: Longworth, Washington ,, Louisiana, Johnson, Jim Jordan of Ohio

The wife of Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., has received anonymous, threatening text messages this week pressuring her to persuade her husband to support Jordan. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., said his staffers have been "cussed out" in phone calls from Jordan supporters. But the bloc of roughly 20 anti-Jordan Republicans say that they aren't caving and that the hardball tactics are backfiring. Moments after Jordan was rejected on a second ballot for speaker Wednesday, Gimenez recounted a tense phone call with Jordan on Tuesday. Gimenez told reporters just off the House floor.

Persons: Jim Jordan, Jim Jordan's, Republican holdouts, Jordan, Don Bacon, Rep, Steve Womack, Carlos Gimenez, Jordan robocalls, Mariannette Miller, Meeks, she'd, Miller, Gimenez, they're, he's, you've, I'd, —, Kevin McCarthy, Jordan's Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Republican, GOP, Jordan Republicans Locations: Rayburn, Washington ,, Ohio, South Florida, Iowa

☆ Turmoil in DC as race for new Speaker of the House begins
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailTurmoil in DC as race for new Speaker of the House beginsSahil Kapur, NBC News Sr. National Political Reporter, joins 'Fast Money' to talk turmoil in Washington D.C. after Rep. McCarthy was ousted from the House Speakership.

Persons: Sahil Kapur, McCarthy Organizations: NBC, Washington D.C Locations: Washington

☆ Senate introduces a bipartisan bill to keep the government open through Nov. 17
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Sahil Kapur | Frank Thorp V | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Senate leaders released a short-term funding bill Tuesday — with four days left to avert a government shutdown at the end of this month — to keep money flowing until Nov. 17 to give Congress more time to ink a larger agreement. The bipartisan bill, negotiated between leaders of the Democratic majority and Republican minority, includes $4.5 billion in aid to Ukraine and $6 billion in emergency FEMA funding for disaster relief. "It's always a hypothetical that the Senate is going to do something," McCarthy told reporters. "I'm not going to take up hypotheticals of someday dreaming the Senate is going to do something. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., urged senators to pass it.

Persons: Patty Murray, Murray, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, I'm, Chuck Schumer, Schumer, Mitch McConnell, McConnell Organizations: Democratic, Republican, GOP Locations: Ukraine, Ky

☆ Two House Republicans say they might work with Democrats to fund government
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Sahil Kapur | Rebecca Kaplan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

WASHINGTON — As the Republican stalemate over government funding continues, two freshman GOP House members opened the door Thursday to end-running their party's leadership and working with Democrats to fund the government. Lawler told reporters that if Republicans can't unify to pass a continuing resolution, or CR, to approve short-term funding, he will pursue a discharge petition with Democrats. "If there is not going to be a CR coming out of the House Republican caucus, then I will move forward with a discharge petition," he said. That means at least five Republicans would have to break off for a discharge petition to succeed — potentially more if not all Democrats sign it. Democratic leaders have downplayed the prospects of a discharge petition to resolve the mess and noted that one hasn't been filed.

Persons: Marc Molinaro, Mike Lawler, Joe Biden, they're, Molinaro, Lawler, Kevin McCarthy, doesn't, Matt Gaetz, —, Bob Good, That's, Lauren Boebert, Pramila Jayapal, Jayapal Organizations: U.S, Capitol, WASHINGTON —, Republican, GOP, New York Republicans, White, Republicans, Democratic Locations: Washington, Hudson Valley, Ukraine

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., talks with reporters after a meeting of the House Republican Conference in the U.S. Capitol to discus an impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden on Thursday, September 14, 2023. House Republicans released a bill after a tentative agreement between the far-right Freedom Caucus and the center-right Main Street Caucus, the sources said. If the legislation passes the House, it would resolve one internal problem for Speaker Kevin McCarthy while creating a new one. The bill includes most of the Secure the Border Act of 2023, a wish list of immigration provisions for GOP hardliners, with the exception of provisions requiring the use of E-Verify for employers to check immigration status. Earlier in the day, McCarthy urged his colleagues to avert a shutdown during an appearance on Fox News.

Persons: Nancy Mace, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Byron Donalds, Dusty Johnson, Scott Perry, Stephanie Bice, Chip Roy, Kelly Armstrong, McCarthy Organizations: House Republican Conference, U.S, Capitol, House Republican, NBC News . House Republicans, Caucus, Republican, Democratic, GOP, Freedom Caucus, Senate, White, House Republicans, Fox News, Biden Locations: Ukraine, Texas

☆ Biden to keep Julie Su on indefinitely as Labor chief despite lack of Senate votes
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Sahil Kapur | Liz Brown-Kaiser | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The White House plans to use a little-known law to keep Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su in the job even if she fails to win Senate approval, a White House official told NBC News. "Upon Secretary Walsh's departure, Acting Secretary Su automatically became Acting Secretary under its organic statute, not under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act," the White House official said in an email. "As a result, Su is not subject to the time limits of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and she can serve as Acting Secretary indefinitely." But Su's nomination for labor secretary has since stalled in the Senate, where Democrats control 51 votes and expect unified Republican opposition. "The President's support for Acting Secretary Su is unwavering," the White House official said.

Persons: Julie Su, Walsh's, Su, Marty Walsh, Sen, Joe Manchin, Kyrsten Sinema, hasn't, Joe Biden, Biden, Julie Su's, Bill Cassidy, Kevin McCarthy, Mitch McConnell, Donald Trump, Chuck Schumer, — Elyse Perlmutter, Gumbiner Organizations: Education, Department of Labor, White, Labor, NBC, Federal, White House, NBC News, Senate, Health, Pensions, GOP, Republican, Democratic, Wednesday Locations: Rayburn, Ky

☆ Biden's labor secretary pick may not have the votes. She also may not need them.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Liz Brown-Kaiser | Sahil Kapur | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

The Senate is stalled on President Joe Biden's pick for secretary of labor, Julie Su, and Democrats face a conundrum on how to proceed. But Su, who currently serves as the acting labor secretary, could just keep running the department anyway. Federal law places no limits on how long Su can serve as acting labor secretary without being confirmed. He said he wants a voice for "both labor and industry" in the labor secretary role. Any Senator who voted to confirm Secretary [Marty] Walsh should vote to confirm Acting Secretary Su, too.

Persons: Julie Su, Joe Biden's, Su, Biden, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Kyrsten Sinema, Jon Tester, Joe Manchin, pushback, there's, Mazie Hirono, haven't, She's, she'll, she's, Mark Kelly, John Hickenlooper, I'm, Su aren't, Tester, you've, Manchin, Bill Cassidy of, Sinema, Tammy Duckworth, Marty, Walsh, We're, Sherrod Brown, Elizabeth Warren of, Chuck Schumer Organizations: Health, Education, Labor, Capitol, Labor Department —, Pensions, Su's, Democrats, HELP, Su's Democratic, White, Department, Democratic Locations: Washington, American, Sens, Hawaii, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts

☆ What's in the debt limit bill? Key provisions in the Biden-McCarthy deal to avert default
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Sahil Kapur | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

In fiscal year 2024, it would limit military spending to $886 billion and nonmilitary discretionary spending to $704 billion. McCarthy said the deal was "historic," as it would amount to "cutting spending year-over-year for the first time in over a decade." Factoring in adjustments, the White House projects that when veterans funding is set aside, nondefense spending would barely change — with a slight reduction overall from 2023 to 2024. It would eliminate $1.4 billion in IRS funding and shift about $20 billion to nondefense funds. The bill would overhaul the National Environmental Policy Act to streamline permitting for projects; House Republicans tout it as "the first significant reforms to NEPA since 1982."

☆ New House bill would block pay for members of Congress if the U.S. defaults
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Sahil Kapur | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON — A bipartisan bill set to be unveiled Thursday by Reps. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., would block members of Congress from getting paid if the U.S. enters debt default or if the government shuts down. The No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act, shared in advance with NBC News, would withhold lawmakers' pay for the duration of a debt limit breach or lapse in federal funding, an attempt to motivate legislators to prevent either situation. And the proposal, from two politically vulnerable members in competitive districts, represents a populist move to channel voter anger toward Congress, which is strong among both parties' bases. Notably, the Spanberger-Fitzpatrick bill would not permanently prevent lawmakers from getting paid, which would run afoul of the 27th Amendment. Instead, it withholds pay for the duration of a shutdown or default — at least until the end of the session.

☆ GOP Rep. Jim Jordan says he can't comment on Trump's post threatening violence because he's unable to read it without his glasses
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Sonam Sheth | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Jim Jordan said he couldn't comment on Trump's statement that there could be "death" and "destruction" if he's indicted. Jordan initially said he hadn't read Trump's Truth Social post. When a reporter showed him the post, Jordan said he couldn't read well without his glasses. NBC News' Sahil Kapur reported that he asked Jordan about his thoughts on Trump's warning, but Jordan said he hadn't seen the former president's Truth Social post. Kapur added that when he showed Jordan Trump's post, the Ohio congressman replied that he couldn't read it well without his glasses.

☆ Senate confirms Eric Garcetti as U.S. ambassador to India
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Sahil Kapur | Frank Thorp V | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Senate voted 52-42 on Wednesday to confirm former Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti to be the next U.S. ambassador to India. The long-delayed Garcetti nomination grew unusually contentious and sparked some last-minute drama. Several Democrats voted against advancing his nomination, but enough Republicans backed Garcetti to give the U.S. its first permanent ambassador to India under President Joe Biden, more than two years into his term. "The United States-India relationship is extremely important, and it's a very good thing we now have an ambassador," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said. But a group of Republicans voted yes and helped secure the necessary support, including Sens.

☆ Senate panel advances Eric Garcetti's nomination for ambassador to India
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Sahil Kapur | Frank Thorp V | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti speaks during a news conference with fellow mayors and members of Congress outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted Wednesday to advance the nomination of Eric Garcetti to be U.S. ambassador to India, sending it to the full chamber for approval. It is not clear when the full Senate will vote on his nomination; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Tuesday he hoped to bring it up "soon." The Foreign Relations Committee approved Garcetti's nomination in January 2022, but he never got a full Senate vote due to opposition from several senators, including some Democrats. Biden re-nominated Garcetti to the position earlier this year after it lapsed at the close of the last Congress.

Wray's comments Tuesday came after Baier noted that the Energy Department had cited the FBI's earlier findings in its report. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, said earlier Tuesday that China has "always been open and transparent" about Covid. In its assessment, the Energy Department also described the "likely" laboratory-related leak as an "accident," the official added. The Energy Department is one of 18 government departments and agencies that make up the U.S. intelligence community. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said, "China obviously is very threatened by this," but "the lab leak story is not anti-Chinese.

Facing criticism from Democrats and frustration from Republicans, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., has amended his controversial “Rescue America” plan that called for all federal legislation to sunset. The plan now lists “specific exceptions of Social Security, Medicare, national security, veterans benefits, and other essential services.”The previous language read: “All federal legislation sunsets in 5 years. If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again.”The new language says: “All federal legislation sunsets in 5 years, with specific exceptions of Social Security, Medicare, national security, veterans benefits, and other essential services. Note to President Biden, Sen. Schumer, and Sen. McConnell — As you know, this was never intended to apply to Social Security, Medicare, or the US Navy” (bold included in plan). This isn’t the first time Scott has edited his controversial 12-point plan while under fire.

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