News
Biden says ‘no place for this kind of violence in America’ after shooting at Trump rally
Vice President Kamala Harris also issued a statement saying she and the second gentleman were praying for Trump and his family.
News
Scientists argue over the origins of COVID-19 before Senate panel
Microbiology and biodefense experts continued to wrangle over whether COVID-19 emerged from a laboratory leak or was passed to humans through exposure from another animal.
Oversight
Fauci defends his work on COVID-19, says he has an ‘open mind’ on its origins
The former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases explained to members of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic why guidance shifted so much during the first several months of the pandemic.
Management
Biden to announce 1 million claims granted for VA benefits under toxic exposure law
The law has also led to more than 145,000 people enrolling in health care provided by the Veterans Affairs Department.
News
‘It’s up to Mike Johnson’: Marjorie Taylor Greene again stalls vote on ousting the House speaker
Any vote to remove Johnson is likely to fail, since House Democratic leaders announced last month they would support keeping him as speaker.
Management
Maryland delegation to launch bipartisan push for funds to rebuild collapsed Baltimore bridge
A pending bill would allow the state to avoid incurring 10% of the costs of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Pay & Benefits
Veterans Affairs expands IVF access to unmarried and same-sex veterans
Up to now, the VA has only provided IVF care for married veterans who were able to use their own eggs or sperm during the process, but the new announcement allows veterans to use donor eggs, sperm and embryos.
Management
With partial government shutdown a week away, Johnson says he’ll stick to spending deal
Several conservative Republicans have been calling for the House speaker to set aside, renegotiate, or somehow sweeten the current topline agreement.
Management
New turmoil over a possible government shutdown
Congress must pass some sort of spending bill before Jan. 19, otherwise the departments and agencies funded by the Agriculture, Energy-Water, Military Construction-VA and Transportation-HUD spending measures would enter a shutdown.
Management
Another stopgap spending bill in the works as Congress struggles to avert a shutdown
A few lawmakers have called for shutting down the government in order to get the changes they want on immigration and border policy enacted.
Oversight
VA veterans crisis line to face new investigation by GAO
Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., says several whistleblowers have told him and his staff that veterans crisis line “responders are currently transferring veterans determined to present complex needs to an indefinite waiting list for eventual contact from a special unit.”
News
House stalled again after rejecting Jim Jordan as speaker a second time
Jordan plans to talk with the Republicans who voted against him and hopes to win those who flipped Wednesday back to his side.
News
Ohio’s Jim Jordan fails in bid for U.S. House speaker, leaving chamber paralyzed again
Jordan was unable to clinch the votes needed to hold the gavel amid concerns about his agenda and frustrations with his history inside and outside of Congress.
News
Jim Jordan gains support as vote nears for U.S. House speaker, but outcome still in doubt
The Ohio congressman will need the backing of nearly all the chamber’s 221 GOP lawmakers in order to hold the highest office in Congress.
News
Scalise nominated by U.S. House GOP as speaker in closed-door meeting
The nominee picked in the conference meeting only needed to get the backing of a majority of the 221 House Republicans, but Scalise will need about 217 on the floor before he can hold the gavel.
News
U.S. House votes to remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker
It isn’t immediately clear how the House will proceed in the coming days.
Oversight
FEMA’s disaster relief fund is running low on cash. What happens now?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund is facing at least a $4 billion deficit.
Pay & Benefits
Split in U.S. House GOP raises potential for government shutdown this fall
The stalemate stems from disagreement about how much the government should spend and whether bills should be filled with far-right policy objectives.
Management
House spending bill for the VA renews fight over abortion access, transgender care
Legislation would bar Biden administration from closing Guantánamo Bay detention facility in Cuba.
Oversight