GEORGIA SENATE

The new ad features old footage of Cindy Grossman Angelis describing how the Georgia Senate candidate held a gun to her head and threatened to shoot her.

Democrats believe fight for abortion rights will galvenize voters ahead of November.

Between March 2020 and December 2021, nearly 11,000 incidents were reported to the advocacy group "Stop AAPI Hate."

"I've been calling folks in those states and they're with us," Trump told Republican senators in a December 2020 call, according to a new book.

The Georgia Senate passed a Republican-backed bill Monday that would do away with the need for a license to carry a handgun in public — eliminating a current background check requirement. Democrats said the measure would fuel gun deaths and proposed an amendment that would expand background checks, but the GOP-controlled Senate defeated it. Senate Bill 319 passed 34-22 along party lines and now goes to the state House.

This divide among Democrats could have ramifications for the 2024 presidential election as well.

"I think you've gotta be an Alabama fan," Walker snapped when asked his views about the law.

Relative to its strength in Congress, the Biden administration has proven outstandingly successful.

Walker jumped into the Georgia Senate race after former President Trump urged him to run.

Despite being in the same political party, McConnell told his staff that the President Trump's actions could often lead to stressful predicaments.

Herschel Walker is the favorite for the Republican Senate nomination in Georgia despite a rocky rollout to his 2022 campaign that is unsettling some party activists.

A year after Rep. John Lewis' death a cadre of activists carry the late civil rights icon's legacy amid the most divisive voting rights debate in decades.

The U.S. Justice Department announced today that it filed a lawsuit against the State of Georgia, the Georgia Secretary of State, and the Georgia State Election Board over recent voting procedures adopted by Georgia Senate Bill 202, which was signed into law in March 2021. The United States’ complaint challenges provisions of Senate Bill 202 under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Today’s announcements follow Attorney General Garland’s recent commitment to expand the Justice Department’s efforts to safeguard voting rights. More information about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws is available on the Department of Justice’s website at www.justice.gov/crt/about/vot. For a list of the department’s actions to protect voting rights, click here.

Corporations have given more than $50 million in recent years to state lawmakers who have seized on Donald Trump’s lies about a stolen 2020 election to push for new restrictions on the right to vote.

In Georgia, Black Voters Matter continues to work to build Black political power in local elections amid GOP voting restriction efforts.

Generous unemployment aid, direct payments, forgivable small business loans and a moratorium on evictions combined to prop up Americans as the unemployment rate soared to nearly 15%. Congress – with a Republican-led Senate and a Democratic majority in the House – missed opportunities to renew them for months. By the time lawmakers approved a $900 billion relief package in December, millions more people had tumbled into poverty. Help falls to the waysideA $484 billion plan to replenish PPP loans in April would be the last relief bill until December. McConnell, in opposing the latest pandemic relief plan, said it was ill-suited to an improving situation created in part by last year's legislation.

CNBC had asked which Republicans Trump intended to target during midterm primaries after the former president said he plans to back several primary contenders who support his Make America Great Again agenda. Advisors have told Trump that many Republican voters, who have been polled by the former president's strategists, do not want to see an all-out war in the GOP. Instead, they would rather see Trump focus his attacks on Biden and top Democrats. Gaetz has called for the ouster of Republican House leader Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., after she voted to impeach Trump. The South Dakota Republican voted with Trump over 90% of the time, according to FiveThirtyEight data.

President-elect Joe Biden's coronavirus economic relief package is expected to cost trillions, and on Tuesday, transition officials briefed Democratic congressional staff about his priorities for the massive stimulus bill, two people familiar with the plans told CBS News. If Mr. Biden cannot reach a deal with Senate Republicans, this package could pass under reconciliation, a process sometimes used for spending measures. Biden staffers have been in "listening mode" with various governors' offices to get their assessments of the COVID-19 response from the federal government. Two meeting attendees told CBS News the group discussed utilizing faith-based hospitals and clinics to increase access and confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine, particularly in places with "pharmacy deserts." One faith leader told CBS News its network is planning to lobby the Biden team to expand child tax credits.

President-elect Joe Biden's coronavirus economic relief package is expected to cost trillions, and on Tuesday, transition officials briefed Democratic congressional staff about his priorities for the massive stimulus bill, two people familiar with the plans told CBS News. If Mr. Biden cannot reach a deal with Senate Republicans, this package could pass under reconciliation, a process sometimes used for spending measures. Biden staffers have been in "listening mode" with various governors' offices to get their assessments of the COVID-19 response from the federal government. Two meeting attendees told CBS News the group discussed utilizing faith-based hospitals and clinics to increase access and confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine, particularly in places with "pharmacy deserts." One faith leader told CBS News its network is planning to lobby the Biden team to expand child tax credits.

(CBS Detroit) — The stock market continued its rise last week. So while the stock market pays attention to the news, it’s reacting based on how it will be affected in the future. Another stimulus package to boost the economy would have direct implications for the stock market later this year. “So the stock market is not reflecting the current situation, which at the end of March was very grim, very dismal, absolutely. “I think the outlook [for the stock market] is very positive,” says Kass.

(CBS Detroit) — The stock market continued its rise last week. So while the stock market pays attention to the news, it’s reacting based on how it will be affected in the future. Another stimulus package to boost the economy would have direct implications for the stock market later this year. “So the stock market is not reflecting the current situation, which at the end of March was very grim, very dismal, absolutely. “I think the outlook [for the stock market] is very positive,” says Kass.

Black voters push Democrats to win Georgia Senate runoff races Both of Georgia's Republican incumbent senators, Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, have conceded their runoff races, securing wins for Democrats Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. Now the Black voters who helped secure those wins are making sure Democrats deliver on the promises they made on the campaign trail. Black Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown joined CBSN to discuss the role of Black voters in the Democratic Party.

Over 300 charged so far: What we know about the Capitol riot arrests

While chaos erupted, shutting down the nation's Capitol complex, the presidential election results have been approved and the legal fights are over, he said. "We see the chaos in Washington, but many believe the storming of the Capitol will be the highwater mark of discord. The stock market's not a referendum on the state of the nation … it's a market of stocks," Cramer said. Cramer laid out nine other reasons why the market was able to rise, notwithstanding the violent event that played out at the Capitol Wednesday. The buying is also compounded by automated trading systems, or machines, which have no emotional reaction and are not programmed to consider the violent images coming out of Washington, Cramer said.

ATLANTA – Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler on Thursday conceded to Democrat Raphael Warnock in one of two Georgia Senate runoffs that will give control of the U.S. Senate to Democrats. With his victory in Tuesday’s election, Warnock becomes the first African American from Georgia elected to the Senate. “Unfortunately we came up slightly short in the runoff election,” Loeffler says in the video. Democrat Jon Ossoff beat Republican David Perdue in Georgia’s other Senate runoff. Tuesday's runoff election broke turnout records for a Georgia runoff, with more than 4.4 million ballots cast.

The last 50-50 Senate was two decades ago, when George W. Bush first took office, putting Vice President Dick Cheney in the tiebreaking role. AdvertisementA century ago, it was more common for vice presidents to spend their time exercising their duties as president of the Senate. Vice presidents continued to break ties when needed, of course. Vice President Mike Pence broke 13 ties, the majority on nominations. Biden, in eight years as vice president, didn’t break any.

Warnock and Ossoff declared winners in Georgia Senate runoffs, Democrats will control the Senate Democrats swept the Senate runoffs in Georgia, a traditionally red state, taking potential roadblocks out of President-elect Joe Biden's way as he pursues his policy agenda. CBSN political reporter Caitlin Huey-Burns spoke with Anne-Marie Green and Vladimir Duthiers on CBSN about what comes next and how Democrats managed to pull off the win.

Senator Kelly Loeffler drops her objection to the electoral count Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler, who lost her Georgia Senate race the night before, addressed a joint session of Congress to say she no longer plans to object to the results of the electoral vote count. Watch her remarks here.

Results from the Georgia U.S. Senate runoff elections are expected after 7 p.m. (EST) Tuesday. Democrats have to win both of the state’s Senate elections to gain the Senate majority. In such a scenario, the Senate would be equally divided 50-50 with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris serving as the tie-breaker for Democrats. Read more: Decision day in Georgia with Senate majority at stakeYou can track live results right here:U.S. Senate: Kelly Loeffler vs. Raphael Warnock Pastor challenging senator appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to fill remaining two years of term of Sen. Johnny Isakson, who resigned in late 2019.

The Dow closed at a record high Wednesday as investors shrugged off turmoil in Washington, D.C., that saw protesters swarm the Capitol. Both houses of Congress abruptly went into recess, interrupting debate over the Electoral College vote that gave Joe Biden the presidency. The S&P 500 added 0.6% to finish just short of a new high at 3,748, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.6%. "More fiscal support forthcoming likely means a stronger economic recovery and markets are pricing that in," said Brian Levitt, global market strategist at Invesco. Analysts caution that no big changes may ultimately come from Washington given how slim the Democratic majority may be.

Jon Ossoff will win his Georgia Senate runoff race, CBS News projects, beating incumbent Republican Senator David Perdue. Ossoff, 33, will be the youngest Democrat to serve in the U.S. Senate since President-elect Joe Biden, who assumed office in 1973 at the age of 30. When he was sworn in, Mr. Biden became the sixth youngest senator ever at 30 years, 1 month, and 14 days. Former Oklahoma Senator Don Nickels, a Republican, was the youngest senator since Biden when he was sworn in at 32 years old in 1981. He is the youngest Republican ever elected to the Senate.

All rights reserved)Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate from Georgia Jon Ossoff speaks after voting early in Atlanta on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)The Associated Press is projecting that Democrat Jon Ossoff has won one of Georgia’s two runoff Senate races. As of 4:16 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 6, AP is calling Georgia’s Senate race in favor of Ossoff. Ossof was pitted against Republican David Perdue, a 71-year-old former business executive whose congressional term expired Sunday. Final Georgia Senate race results:U.S. Senate: Jon Ossoff vs. David Perdue Documentary filmmaker challenging incumbent senator for a six-year term.

Of the two Georgia Senate runoff races that will determine which political party has more legislative power in the years to come, Democrats have been victorious in both -- giving the party the Senate majority. Though Georgia’s Senate results favor Democrats, Biden says that he will work with representatives on both sides of the aisle in an effort to unite the nation and take action to move the country forward as president. I have long said that the bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill passed in December was just a down payment. We need urgent action on what comes next, because the COVID-19 crisis hits red states and blue states alike. My nominees for critical national security positions at State, Defense, Treasury, and Homeland Security have bipartisan support and have been confirmed by the Senate before.

Former President Barack Obama congratulated Senator-elect Raphael Warnock on Wednesday, following the reverend's projected win against incumbent Senator Kelly Loeffler in Tuesday's Senate runoff election in Georgia. "My friend John Lewis is surely smiling down on his beloved Georgia this morning, as people across the state carried forward the baton that he and so many others passed down to them," Mr. Obama said in a statement. In his statement, Mr. Obama also credited the state's former House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, who helped register hundreds of thousands of new Georgia voters, mostly in communities of color. Former President Barack Obama waves to the crowd with Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Raphael Warnock during a Drive-in Mobilization Rally to get out the vote for Georgia Senate candidates on November 2, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Obama urged voters, who turned out in record numbers, to remain politically active, especially in local elections.

Warnock makes history in Georgia Senate runoff Reverend Raphael Warnock will make history as Georgia's first Black senator. CBS News political analyst Leslie Sanchez and CBS News political contributor Lynda Tran joined CBSN with analysis from Georgia's runoffs.

A SunPower executive on site at the California Valley Solar Farm near Santa Margarita, Calif., in San Luis Obispo County. SunPower – The solar company surged more than 18% as investors eyed the Georgia Senate runoffs. Beyond Meat — Shares dropped nearly 4% after Piper Sandler downgraded the plant-based meat maker to neutral from overweight. China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom — The three Chinese telecom giants dipped after the New York Stock Exchange said it will delist the stocks. Shares of China Telecom and China Mobile lost more than 4% each.

Jon Ossoff claims victory in close Georgia Senate race as vote count continues Democrat Jon Ossoff claimed victory in the Georgia Senate runoff race against Republican Senator David Perdue as votes were still being counted. CBS News has not yet projected a winner in the race, but Ossoff held a razor-thin margin over Perdue on Wednesday morning. Watch Ossoff's remarks.

Trump and Republicans face reckoning as Democrats turn out in Georgia CBS News projecting Democrat Raphael Warnock will win his Georgia Senate runoff, but the other election between Democratic Jon Ossoff and Republican Senator David Perdue is still too close to call. Now, Republicans and President Trump face a reckoning after losing the White House and possibly the Senate. CBS News senior national correspondent Mark Strassmann reports from Decatur, Georgia, and CBSN political reporter Caitlin Huey-Burns joins CBSN from Atlanta with the latest developments.

GOP pollster and strategist Frank Luntz told CNBC on Wednesday that the Democratic Party's strong showing in the Georgia Senate runoffs deliver a clear warning to Republicans. "Georgia has not had two Democratic senators in decades, but they look like they've chosen it because of their frustration with what's going on in Washington. This is a lesson for the Republican Party of what's likely to come if they continue to behave this way," Luntz said on "Squawk Box." Luntz, who predicted Democratic victories in Georgia, complimented former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and the Democratic Party for their "very impressive" organization in the state. Luntz said President Donald Trump, who has refused to concede to Biden after losing in November, deserved blame for the GOP performance in the Senate runoffs.

Democrat Jon Ossoff declared victory Wednesday morning in one of two Georgia Senate runoff elections. CBS News, however, has not projected a winner in the race, although Ossoff currently holds a slight edge over his Republican opponent David Perdue. "This campaign has been about health and jobs and justice for the people of this state, for all the people of this state, and they will be my guiding principles as I serve this state," Ossoff said. Noting the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Ossoff urged Georgians to "unite now to beat this," and vowed to support economic relief to both the state and the American people. Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff speaks with members of the media at Dunbar Neighborhood Center on January 05, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia.

All rights reserved)President-elect Joe Biden campaigns in Atlanta, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, for Senate candidates Raphael Warnock, left, and Jon Ossoff. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Results from the Georgia U.S. Senate runoff elections started coming in after 7 p.m. (EST) Tuesday. The focus now shifts to the second race between Republican David Perdue and Democrat Jon Ossoff. Democrats have to win both of the state’s Senate elections to gain the Senate majority. Read more: Decision day in Georgia with Senate majority at stakeYou can track results right here:U.S. Senate: Kelly Loeffler vs. Raphael Warnock Pastor challenging senator appointed by Gov.

Warnock projected to beat Loeffler, Ossoff gains edge over Perdue in Georgia Senate runoffs Democrats have picked up at least one Senate seat in Georgia's special elections, according to CBS News data. CBS News projects Reverend Raphael Warnock has defeated his Republican opponent, incumbent Senator Kelly Loeffler, while, Jon Ossoff is now taking the lead over Republican incumbent Senator David Perdue. Mark Strassmann reports.

Eye Opener: Democrats capture one Georgia Senate seat with Warnock's historic victory CBS News projects Democrat Raphael Warnock as the winner of one of two Georgia Senate runoff elections, beating Republican incumbent Senator Kelly Loeffler, while the other Senate race remained too close to call. Also, protesters are gathering in Washington, D.C. to show their support for President Donald Trump before Congress counts the Electoral College results. All that and all that matters in today's Eye Opener. Your world in 90 seconds.

Vote count continues in Georgia with one Senate runoff too close to call CBS News is projecting Democrat Raphael Warnock will win one of the Georgia Senate runoffs, while the second remains a toss-up as vote counting continues. CBS News reporter Adam Brewster joins CBSN AM from Atlanta to talk about the factors that impacted the crucial runoff races.

Proud Boys leader ordered to stay away from D.C. after arrest

Shares rose in Asia on Thursday after Wall Street rallied on expectations of more stimulus for the economy, despite chaotic scenes in Washington as Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. India's Sensex rose 0.6% and shares in most other markets were higher. Overnight, the S&P 500 rose 0.6% to 3,748.14. Financial stocks rose 4.4% for the biggest gain among the 11 sectors that make up the S&P 500. Several Big Tech stocks fell, including a 3.4% drop for Apple and a 2.8% decline for Facebook.

CBS News Special Report: Warnock takes lead over Loeffler; Ossoff-Perdue race a toss-up CBS News is characterizing the Georgia Senate runoff between Democrat Raphael Warnock and Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler as leaning Warnock. The race between Democrat Jon Ossoff and Republican Senator David Perdue remains a toss-up. CBS News senior national correspondent Mark Strassmann and CBS News chief congressional correspondent Nancy Cordes join "CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell in this CBS News Special Report.

As the hour slipped past 2 a.m. on the East Coast, Democrat Raphael Warnock beat Republican Kelly Loeffler. King and MSNBC's Kornacki dominated their networks with headache-inducing number crunching. Warnock and Ossoff jumped to early leads, but as more votes came in, the Republicans swung in front. After midnight, the Times judged both Warnock and Ossoff had a better than 95% chance of winning. Fox News spent less time on raw numbers to showcase their prime-time stars, Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham.

Votes slowly counted in Georgia Senate runoffs Votes continue to be tabulated in the Georgia Senate runoff elections, but official results are not expected until Wednesday. In a tweet, President Trump seemed to imply votes yet to be reported from heavily Democratic areas would not be legitimate. CBSN political reporter Caitlin Huey-Burns and CBS News reporter Adam Brewster join CBSN's "Red & Blue" anchor Elaine Quijano to discuss the votes left to be counted.

CBS News Special Report: Georgia Senate races characterized as toss-ups As votes are slowly tabulated in the runoff elections for both of Georgia's Senate seats, CBS News have characterized the races as toss-ups. Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff are hoping to win and give their party control of the Senate while Republicans Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue are hoping to prevail and maintain the GOP's slim majority. CBS News senior national correspondent Mark Strassmann and CBS News chief congressional correspondent Nancy Cordes join "CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell in this CBS News Special Report.

Georgia Senate runoff election may not be known for several days Official results in the Georgia Senate runoff elections may not come for several days after election night. While ballot tabulation is going smoothly, the sheer number of mail-in-ballots will lead to slow counting. CBSN political reporter Caitlin Huey-Burns joins CBSN's "Red & Blue" host Elaine Quijano to discuss when officials expect the full results might finally come in.

How outcome of Georgia Senate runoffs could affect Biden's agenda If both Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff can prevail in Tuesday's runoff election, Democrats would take control of the Senate. CBS News correspondent Nikole Killion joins CBSN's "Red & Blue" anchor Elaine Quijano to discuss how the outcome of these races could impact President-elect Joe Biden's chances of moving legislation through Congress.

Over 300 charged so far: What we know about the Capitol riot arrests

The voters were also evenly split on whether Democrats or Republicans should control the Senate. The survey included both early voters and voters who cast ballots on Tuesday. Democrats must win both contests in Georgia to take control of the Senate. No Democrat has won a U.S. Senate race in Georgia in 20 years, but opinion surveys show both races as exceedingly close. At Monday’s rally in Georgia, Trump again declared the November vote “rigged”, an assertion some Republicans worried would dissuade his supporters from voting on Tuesday.

Results from the Georgia U.S. Senate runoff elections are expected after 7 p.m. (EST) Tuesday. Democrats have to win both of the state’s Senate elections to gain the Senate majority. In such a scenario, the Senate would be equally divided 50-50 with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris serving as the tie-breaker for Democrats. Read more: Decision day in Georgia with Senate majority at stakeYou can track results right here:U.S. Senate: Kelly Loeffler vs. Raphael Warnock Pastor challenging senator appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to fill remaining two years of term of Sen. Johnny Isakson, who resigned in late 2019.

Control of the Senate comes down to today's runoff elections in Georgia for the state's two Senate seats. How to watch the Georgia Senate runoff resultsWhat: Georgia Senate runoff electionsDate: Tuesday, January 5Polls close: 7 p.m. Nearly 3 million votes were cast early in the runoff, with 2 million of those early in-person votes and nearly 1 million absentee. Mr. Trump will hold a rally in Dalton, Georgia, on Monday, January 4, the eve of the election. Vice President Mike Pence will also be in Georgia on Monday at Georgia Faith Community Call to Action at a church in Milner, Georgia.

Cobb County Republican chair on Georgia Senate runoffs Republican Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue are hoping for a strong showing in the Atlanta suburbs. Jason Shepherd, the chairman of the Cobb County Republican Party, joined CBSN's "Red and Blue" to discuss the Georgia Senate runoffs.

Cobb County Democratic Party chair on Georgia Senate runoffs Democrats need a major turnout in Cobb County, a suburb of Atlanta, to have success in the Georgia Senate runoffs. Jacquelyn Bettadapur, the chair of the Cobb County Democratic Party, joins CBSN's "Red & Blue" to discuss why she believes Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock will win.

Cobb County Democratic Party chair on Georgia Senate runoffs Democrats need a major turnout in Cobb County, a suburb of Atlanta, to have success in the Georgia Senate runoffs. Jacquelyn Bettadapur, the chair of the Cobb County Democratic Party, joined CBSN's "Red and Blue" to discuss why she believes Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock will win.

Results from the Georgia U.S. Senate runoff elections are expected after 7 p.m. (EST) Tuesday. Democrats have to win both of the state’s Senate elections to gain the Senate majority. In such a scenario, the Senate would be equally divided 50-50 with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris serving as the tie-breaker for Democrats. Read more: Decision day in Georgia with Senate majority at stakeYou can track results right here:U.S. Senate: Kelly Loeffler vs. Raphael Warnock Pastor challenging senator appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to fill remaining two years of term of Sen. Johnny Isakson, who resigned in late 2019.

COVID-19 plasma shortage: Donors could win trip to Super Bowl next yearThe American Red Cross is in search of COVID-19 plasma donors. Woman reported missing on New Year’s Day found deadA woman who was reported missing on New Year’s Day has been found dead in a field behind a Southgate apartment complex. On Saturday, the state reported a total of 497,127 cases and 12,598 deaths. New COVID-19 cases are slowing but deaths remain high in Michigan. According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 20.2 million cases have been reported across the country as of Jan. 2.

Georgia's two Senate runoff elections on Tuesday will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. ___HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE GEORGIA SENATE ELECTIONSGeorgia’s two Senate runoff elections Tuesday will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. Democrats need to win both of Georgia’s Senate runoff elections to claim the Senate majority. Georgia’s two Senate runoff elections on Tuesday will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. Georgians are voting on two Senate runoff elections that will determine control of the U.S. Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walks off of the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. Congress opened in 2019 with the federal government shutdown over Trump's demands for money to build the border wall with Mexico. The Republican-led Senate acquitted the president in 2020 of the charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Trump’s push for $2,000 checks gained sudden momentum when dozens of House Republicans joined Democrats in approving the measure Monday. But the GOP leader has scheduled no votes on his measure and it would be unlikely to have enough support in Congress to pass.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walks back to his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. The roadblock set by Senate Republicans appears insurmountable. For a second day in a row, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer tried to force a vote on the bill approved by the House meeting Trump’s demand for the $2,000 checks. “What we’re seeing right now is Leader McConnell trying to kill the checks — the $2,000 checks desperately needed by so many American families,” Schumer said. “The Senate Republicans risk throwing away two seats and control of the Senate,” Newt Gingrich, the former congressional leader, said on Fox News.

WASHINGTON – An arcane battle over emergency Federal Reserve powers foiled efforts on Saturday to lock down an agreement on an almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package. The deadlock was just the latest stumble in a partisan, months-long fight over pandemic relief and the lack of progress is backing lawmakers once again up against a government shutdown deadline Sunday night. Lawmakers on both sides said a provision by Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., that would curb emergency Federal Reserve powers was the sticking point. At issue are Fed emergency programs, launched amid the pandemic this spring, that provided loans to small and mid-size businesses and bought state and local government bonds. Under the Dodd-Frank financial reform law passed after the Great Recession, the Fed can only set up emergency programs with the support of the treasury secretary.

The virus aid talks remained on track, both sides said, but closing out final disagreements was proving difficult. The Democrats said the GOP proposal would deprive President-elect Joe Biden of crucial tools to manage the economy. “Undermining that authority could mean less lending to Main Street businesses, higher unemployment and greater economic pain across the nation." The COVID-19 package would be added to a $1.4 trillion governmentwide appropriations bill that would fund federal agencies through next September. Standard & Poor’s said in a report Tuesday that the economy would be 1.5 percentage points smaller in 2021 without more aid.

The holdups mean a weekend session now appears virtually certain, and a top lawmaker warned that a government shutdown this weekend can't be ruled out. Now, Republicans are motivated chiefly to extend business subsidies and some jobless benefits, and provide money for schools and vaccines. The urgency was underscored Thursday by the weekly unemployment numbers, which revealed that 885,000 people applied for jobless benefits last week, the highest weekly total since September. Some Democrats also mourned the exclusion of a $500 million aid package to help states run their elections. The emerging package would combine the $900 billion in COVID-19 relief with a $1.4 trillion government-wide funding bill.

Then he pivoted, privately warning Republican senators away from disputing the Electoral College tally when Congress convenes in a joint session Jan. 6 to confirm the results. “I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden,” McConnell said as he opened the Senate. One House Republican, Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama, is planning to challenge the Electoral College results when Congress convenes for the joint session. John Thune of South Dakota and Roy Blunt of Missouri, warned the senators off any Electoral College challenge, according to one of the people familiar with Tuesday's call. The GOP leaders further warned senators that forcing their colleagues into a vote on Electoral College challenges would prove difficult, especially for those facing their own reelections in 2022.

WASHINGTON – Congressional negotiators closed in Wednesday on a $900 billion COVID-19 economic relief package that would deliver additional help to businesses, $300 per week jobless checks, and $600 stimulus payments to most Americans. But lawmakers briefed on the outlines of the aid bill freely shared them. President-elect Joe Biden is eager for an aid package to prop up the economy and deliver direct aid to the jobless and hungry, even though the package falls short of what Democrats want. The frightening, record surge in COVID caseloads and deaths, combined with troubling economic indicators, however, is mandating an agreement, though the emerging package contains less economic stimulus than the March aid bill. With Congress otherwise getting ready to close up shop, lawmakers are eager to use the relief package to carry other unfinished business.

Then he pivoted, privately warning Republican senators away from disputing the Electoral College tally when Congress convenes in a joint session Jan. 6 to confirm the results. “I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden,” McConnell said as he opened the Senate. Some GOP lawmakers have vowed to carry the fight to Jan. 6 when Congress votes to accept or reject the Electoral College results. One House Republican, Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama, is planning to challenge the Electoral College results when Congress convenes for the joint session. The GOP leaders further warned senators that forcing their colleagues into a vote on Electoral College challenges would prove difficult, especially for those facing their own reelections in 2022.

The shield from liability for social media companies has been grounded in Section 230 of a landmark 1996 telecommunications law. Trump and Republican lawmakers have persistently accused the social media companies, without evidence, of suppressing conservative viewpoints, and Trump portrayed his executive order as a remedy for bias. With Simington confirmed to the five-member FCC, there will then be a 2-2 split between Democratic and Republican commissioners. That likely will stymie Biden’s agenda until he’s able to get a fifth, Democratic FCC member confirmed, with an extended delay possible if the Republicans continue to control the Senate after the two Georgia Senate runoff elections. During Pai’s tenure, the FCC worked to free up spectrum for cellphone companies to enable them to roll out 5G.

Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a briefing on COVID-19 at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in Atlanta. There have even been suggestions from some Trump allies that conservative voters should sit out the Jan. 5 Senate runoffs in protest, a notion Pence took head on. Pence, as he did two weeks ago when campaigning with the Georgia senators, tried to strike a balance. But this time, Pence's message comes as Georgia completes yet another recount of presidential ballots and in the wake of Trump escalating his attacks on Georgia Republicans. As Pence arrived in the state, Georgia officials were in the final stages of a third count requested by Trump’s campaign.

– With unemployment still high and the pandemic threatening yet another economic slump, President-elect Joe Biden is assembling a team of liberal advisers who have long focused on the nation’s workers and government efforts to address economic inequality. Biden also selected Wally Adeyemo to be Yellen’s deputy, which would make him the first Black deputy treasury secretary. “They’re fairly conventional liberal economists and experts.”Still, the Biden administration’s ambitious goals will face solid opposition from Republicans in Congress. She first made her mark in the Clinton orbit, and served as policy director for Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential race. Bernstein has also worked as a social worker and was an economist at the Economic Policy Institute, a labor-supported think tank.

Biden also selected Wally Adeyemo to be Yellen’s deputy, which would make him the first Black deputy treasury secretary. Rouse, Tanden and Adeyemo will all require Senate confirmation, and Tanden in particular is already drawing heavy Republican criticism. “They’re fairly conventional liberal economists and experts.”Still, the Biden administration’s ambitious goals will face solid opposition from Republicans in Congress. She first made her mark in the Clinton orbit, and served as policy director for Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential race. Bernstein has also worked as a social worker and was an economist at the Economic Policy Institute, a labor-supported think tank.