The Senate’s version is slightly different from the House bill, and some key provisions remained in flux Friday night.
Politics
Political news and information from the Sun Journal.
Deal on state tax exemption implodes as Republicans balk at supplemental budget
Democrats support a bill to reduce tax liability for businesses and individuals who received federal COVID-19 relief loans or benefits, but Republicans are pushing for more.
Senate Democrats strike deal on jobless aid; passage of relief bill in sight
Democratic leaders’ agreement with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., suggests it is just a matter of time until the Senate passes the $1.9 trillion package.
By slimmest of margins, Senate votes to take up $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill
The Senate’s 51-50 vote to start debating the package, with Vice President Kamala Harris pushing Democrats over the top, underscores how they are navigating the package through Congress with virtually no margin for error.
White House says relief checks will go to most people who got $600 payments
A White House official says 98% of U.S. households that received COVID-19 relief checks in December will also qualify for the next round of payments.
Democrats tighten relief benefits, firm up support for pandemic relief bill
Under Wednesday’s agreement, the Senate bill would halt stimulus checks completely for individuals making $80,000 or more and couples earning $160,000.
House passes sweeping voting rights bill over Republican opposition
The bill would require states to automatically register eligible voters and offer same-day registration, but it faces big obstacles in the Senate.
Legislative panel votes to keep Maine’s ban on plastic shopping bags
Enforcement of the law has been temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lawmakers want to ban trans girls in sports without citing local examples
Legislators in more than 20 states have introduced bills this year that would ban transgender girls from competing on girls’ sports teams in public high schools
House cancels session because of ‘possible plot’ to breach Capitol
The threat appears to be connected to a far-right conspiracy theory, mainly promoted by supporters of QAnon, that Trump will rise again to power on March 4.