rollcall--2020-12-17--Palazzo subject of House Ethics Committee inquiry

The House Ethics Committee is investigating Rep. Steven Palazzo ’ s campaign spending .
The panel announced on Thursday it needs more time to complete its inquiry of the Mississippi Republican .
Public disclosure of Palazzo ’ s alleged misconduct was prompted by an Office of Congressional Ethics investigation into the lawmaker that recommended there was a substantial reason to believe there was a violation of federal law or House rules .
“ Congressman Palazzo looks forward to fully cooperating with the Ethics Committee during its review and plans to show he has followed the Ethics Rules of the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be dismissed , ” Colleen Kennedy , a spokesperson for Palazzo , said in a statement .
Kennedy added that Palazzo had hired his former colleague in the Mississippi delegation , Republican Gregg Harper , to represent him before the Ethics panel .
Harper , who served five terms and retired after the 2018 election , previously served on the Ethics Committee is a former chairman of the House Administration Committee .
“ I believe we have already addressed many of the issues and will continue to fully cooperate with the Committee .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the OCE allegations will show that Congressman Palazzo has followed the Rules , ” Harper said in an email to CQ Roll Call .

The House Ethics Committee is investigating Rep. Steven Palazzo’s campaign spending.
The panel announced on Thursday it needs more time to complete its inquiry of the Mississippi Republican. Public disclosure of Palazzo’s alleged misconduct was prompted by an Office of Congressional Ethics investigation into the lawmaker that recommended there was a substantial reason to believe there was a violation of federal law or House rules.
“Congressman Palazzo looks forward to fully cooperating with the Ethics Committee during its review and plans to show he has followed the Ethics Rules of the House of Representatives and that this matter should be dismissed,” Colleen Kennedy, a spokesperson for Palazzo, said in a statement.
Kennedy added that Palazzo had hired his former colleague in the Mississippi delegation, Republican Gregg Harper, to represent him before the Ethics panel. Harper, who served five terms and retired after the 2018 election, previously served on the Ethics Committee is a former chairman of the House Administration Committee.
“I believe we have already addressed many of the issues and will continue to fully cooperate with the Committee. We are optimistic that this review of the OCE allegations will show that Congressman Palazzo has followed the Rules,” Harper said in an email to CQ Roll Call.


rollcall--2020-12-17--At the Races: Mitch’s last-minute shopping

Welcome to At the Races !
Each week we ’ ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call campaign team .
Know someone who ’ d like to get this newsletter ?
They can subscribe here .
Publishing note : Next week , At the Races will hit your inboxes on Tuesday , Dec. 22 , and then take a break .
We ’ ll be back on Thursday , Jan. 7 .
Lawmakers are bracing for a weekend of work as they finalize a COVID-19 relief package ( and government spending deal ) before the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 5 Senate runoffs in Georgia .
The COVID-19 measure has taken on a new sense of urgency with jobless claims rising and Republicans increasingly worried that Georgia voters could blame incumbent Sens .
Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue if they fail to act .
But it begs the question : Where was the political urgency before the November elections , when congressional Republicans fared very well ?
It ’ s worth noting that the current deal is a lot closer to what Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wanted .
As members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line of their lame-duck session , this week also marked the first time key Republicans in the Senate recognized Joe Biden as the president-elect .
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies is moving forward , and the event provides new opportunities for individual and corporate donors to donate big sums of cash .
Companies can fork over seven-figure contributions to Biden ’ s inaugural committee and , in return , perks await — much to the chagrin of liberal groups .

Kate Ackley, Bridget Bowman, and Stephanie Akin

Welcome to At the Races! Each week we’ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call campaign team. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here.
Publishing note: Next week, At the Races will hit your inboxes on Tuesday, Dec. 22, and then take a break. We’ll be back on Thursday, Jan. 7.
Lawmakers are bracing for a weekend of work as they finalize a COVID-19 relief package (and government spending deal) before the end of the Congress — and before the Jan. 5 Senate runoffs in Georgia. The COVID-19 measure has taken on a new sense of urgency with jobless claims rising and Republicans increasingly worried that Georgia voters could blame incumbent Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue if they fail to act. But it begs the question: Where was the political urgency before the November elections, when congressional Republicans fared very well? It’s worth noting that the current deal is a lot closer to what Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wanted.
As members of the 116th Congress limp across the finish line of their lame-duck session, this week also marked the first time key Republicans in the Senate recognized Joe Biden as the president-elect. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies is moving forward, and the event provides new opportunities for individual and corporate donors to donate big sums of cash. Companies can fork over seven-figure contributions to Biden’s inaugural committee and, in return, perks await — much to the chagrin of liberal groups.


rollcall--2020-12-17--Where are the ‘continuity of government’ vaccine doses coming from? No one wants to say

Where is the supply of COVID-19 vaccines coming from for senior officials across government ?
No one will say .
@ @ @ @ @ confirmed that senior officials would receive COVID-19 vaccines to help ensure continuity of government , @ @ @ @ @ those vaccine doses will originate .
The District of Columbia Department of Health insists the @ @ @ @ @ from their allocation .
The local government in Washington has been working with neighboring jurisdictions @ @ @ @ @ of Maryland and Virginia who are frontline health care workers within D.C. are able to @ @ @ @ @ does n't appear to extend to federal officials “ The District does not have the @ @ @ @ @ , Congressional and Judicial officials , ” DC Health said in a statement .
A @ @ @ @ @ in the Senate also confirmed that the District did not receive such an allotment .

Where is the supply of COVID-19 vaccines coming from for senior officials across government? No one will say.
Days after the White House confirmed that senior officials would receive COVID-19 vaccines to help ensure continuity of government, it remains unclear from where those vaccine doses will originate.
The District of Columbia Department of Health insists the vaccine doses will not come from their allocation. The local government in Washington has been working with neighboring jurisdictions to make sure the residents of Maryland and Virginia who are frontline health care workers within D.C. are able to get vaccines. But that doesn't appear to extend to federal officials
“The District does not have the allotment for senior White House, Congressional and Judicial officials,” DC Health said in a statement.
A person familiar with the discussions in the Senate also confirmed that the District did not receive such an allotment.


rollcall--2020-12-17--Congressional leaders indifferent to bolstering stock transaction rules for lawmakers

Reports of the stock trading of Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler amid the COVID-19 pandemic are haunting the two Georgia Republicans as they head into their separate contentious runoff races in January .
While the Department of Justice ultimately decided not to pursue charges against the two senators , the trades are raised constantly by their Democratic opponents and allied groups spending hundreds of millions of dollars in advertising .
The Democrats are hoping voters view their opponents ’ stock moves as the kind of maneuvers that erode the public trust in lawmakers .
Under current rules , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invest as they please .
Now cases of alleged insider trading — and the conviction and imprisonment of one House member for that crime — have prompted new calls from government ethics watchdog for tougher rules .
But top leaders in Congress have shown little enthusiasm about changing the law .
Most didn ’ t even respond when asked .
Criminal insider trading is difficult to prove unless there is a cooperating witness , according to John C. Coffee , a law professor at Columbia University who is an expert on securities law @

Reports of the stock trading of Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler amid the COVID-19 pandemic are haunting the two Georgia Republicans as they head into their separate contentious runoff races in January.
While the Department of Justice ultimately decided not to pursue charges against the two senators, the trades are raised constantly by their Democratic opponents and allied groups spending hundreds of millions of dollars in advertising. The Democrats are hoping voters view their opponents’ stock moves as the kind of maneuvers that erode the public trust in lawmakers.
Under current rules, however, lawmakers have wide latitude to invest as they please. Now cases of alleged insider trading — and the conviction and imprisonment of one House member for that crime — have prompted new calls from government ethics watchdog for tougher rules.
But top leaders in Congress have shown little enthusiasm about changing the law. Most didn’t even respond when asked.
Criminal insider trading is difficult to prove unless there is a cooperating witness, according to John C. Coffee, a law professor at Columbia University who is an expert on securities law.


rollcall--2020-12-17--Guns and policy: A conversation with new member Lauren Boebert

Lauren Boebert won the race for Colorado 's 3rd District in the November election and is the first woman to @ @ @ @ @ restaurant owner made headlines this summer when she defeated five-term incumbent Rep. Scott Tipton , @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump , in the state 's June primary .
Watch the video for CQ @ @ @ @ @ the gun rights advocate .
[ Video games and partisanship : A conversation with new @ @ @ @

Lauren Boebert won the race for Colorado's 3rd District in the November election and is the first woman to represent the district.
The restaurant owner made headlines this summer when she defeated five-term incumbent Rep. Scott Tipton, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, in the state's June primary.
Watch the video for CQ Roll Call's conversation with the gun rights advocate.
[Video games and partisanship: A conversation with new member Jay Obernolte]


rollcall--2020-12-18--CQ Future: Working mothers

CQ Future: Working mothers

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 's former policy planning director Anne-Marie Slaughter shocked the world when she quit her high-powered @ @ @ @ @ for The Atlantic , `` Why Women Still Ca n't Have it All . ''
@ @ @ @ @ One book later and the head of the think tank New America , Slaughter has @ @ @ @ @ and thinking about working mothers .
The pandemic has upended families and profoundly wounded working @ @ @ @ @ 's Shawn Zeller sits down with Slaughter to discuss the future .
• Where are @ @ @ @ @ ’ vaccine doses coming from ?
No one wants to say • Guns and policy @ @ @ @ @ member Lauren Boebert

Shawn Zeller, Joanne Levine, and Evan Campbell

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's former policy planning director Anne-Marie Slaughter shocked the world when she quit her high-powered job and wrote an article for The Atlantic, "Why Women Still Can't Have it All." Fast forward eight years. One book later and the head of the think tank New America, Slaughter has done a lot of writing and thinking about working mothers. The pandemic has upended families and profoundly wounded working mothers. CQ Roll Call's Shawn Zeller sits down with Slaughter to discuss the future.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-12-18--Haaland nomination to Interior Department ‘an unprecedented nod to Indian country’

As the chief executive officer of Ho-Chunk , Inc. , the economic development corporation owned by the Winnebago Tribe of @ @ @ @ @ he knows who makes the big decisions in an organization .
That 's why he @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Deb Haaland , D-N.M. , will be nominated by President-elect Joe Biden as the @ @ @ @ @ the Interior Department .
After all , the Bureau of Indian Affairs , located within @ @ @ @ @ the person sitting in the secretary ’ s chair .
“ We ’ ve never @ @ @ @ @ given the orders before , ” Morgan said .
A member of Pueblo of Laguna @ @ @ @ @ 's role as Interior secretary could mark a turning point for an agency that has @ @ @ @ @ , at times , bitter relationship with federally recognized tribes .
Haaland would assume the @ @ @ @ @ that manages federal land , offshore drilling and leasing , endangered species , mining cleanup @ @ @ @ @ studies , national parks and grazing .

As the chief executive officer of Ho-Chunk, Inc., the economic development corporation owned by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Lance Morgan says he knows who makes the big decisions in an organization.
That's why he was pleased Thursday to learn Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., will be nominated by President-elect Joe Biden as the first Native American to lead the Interior Department.
After all, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, located within the department, answers to the person sitting in the secretary’s chair.
“We’ve never had somebody who’s given the orders before,” Morgan said.
A member of Pueblo of Laguna in New Mexico, Haaland's role as Interior secretary could mark a turning point for an agency that has often had a fraught and, at times, bitter relationship with federally recognized tribes. Haaland would assume the helm of a massive bureaucracy that manages federal land, offshore drilling and leasing, endangered species, mining cleanup, scientific research, geological studies, national parks and grazing.


rollcall--2020-12-18--Biden’s EPA pick has experience lifting a discouraged agency

Michael Regan , President-elect Joe Biden 's nominee for EPA administrator , won kudos for his work to rejuvenate a beleaguered North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality , where morale plummeted under a Republican leadership skeptical about climate science .
If the Senate confirms him , Regan , 44 , will be poised for a similar turnaround following the departure of the administration of President Donald Trump , which sought to massively cut EPA ’ s budget and rolled back or weakened dozens of environmental rules and regulations .
`` Michael Regan will have a daunting task to reinvigorate EPA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and morale is at rock bottom , ” said Tim Whitehouse , executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility , a nonpartisan group that works with federal workers and whistle blowers .
“ We are at a point in our country 's history where EPA is in desperate need of visionary leadership free of corporate influence and excessive political meddling .
We hope Mr. Regan can provide that leadership . ''
After serving as an EPA career official focused on air quality in the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations , Regan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor , Democrat Roy Cooper , picked him to lead the state agency .
“ Michael inherited something of a similar situation when he came into his job in North Carolina , ” Stan Meiburg , former acting Deputy Administrator of EPA and 39-year veteran of the agency , said in an interview .
“ The previous administration had cut the budget , ” he said .
“ It had been a difficult culture .
”

Michael Regan, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for EPA administrator, won kudos for his work to rejuvenate a beleaguered North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, where morale plummeted under a Republican leadership skeptical about climate science.
If the Senate confirms him, Regan, 44, will be poised for a similar turnaround following the departure of the administration of President Donald Trump, which sought to massively cut EPA’s budget and rolled back or weakened dozens of environmental rules and regulations.
"Michael Regan will have a daunting task to reinvigorate EPA. The agency is in shambles, and morale is at rock bottom,” said Tim Whitehouse, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a nonpartisan group that works with federal workers and whistle blowers. “We are at a point in our country's history where EPA is in desperate need of visionary leadership free of corporate influence and excessive political meddling. We hope Mr. Regan can provide that leadership."
After serving as an EPA career official focused on air quality in the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations, Regan went to North Carolina, where the governor, Democrat Roy Cooper, picked him to lead the state agency.
“Michael inherited something of a similar situation when he came into his job in North Carolina,” Stan Meiburg, former acting Deputy Administrator of EPA and 39-year veteran of the agency, said in an interview. “The previous administration had cut the budget,” he said. “It had been a difficult culture.”


rollcall--2020-12-17--Lawmakers can receive COVID-19 vaccine on Hill

The Capitol ’ s Office of the Attending Physician is scheduling appointments for lawmakers to receive COVID-19 vaccines , with select staff to follow .
“ My recommendation to you is absolutely unequivocal : there is no reason why you should defer receiving this vaccine , ” Attending Physician Brian P. Monahan said in a “ Dear Colleague ” letter sent to House members and staff late Thursday .
“ The benefit far exceeds any small risk.
” Monahan said there was a limited supply of the vaccine and congressional spouses are not currently eligible because the Capitol is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of government operations .
Members are being encouraged to make appointments to get the vaccine — the one manufactured by Pfizer/BioNTech — in the Rayburn Building .
“ Once we have completed the vaccination of the Members , we will follow a process to identify the continuity-essential staff members in the various divisions of the Capitol community in the coming weeks , ” Monahan wrote .
“ The appointing process will then continue until the small vaccine supply is exhausted .
A second dose scheduling process will then begin later.
” Earlier Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he would soon receive a COVID-19 vaccine , citing separate correspondence with Monahan that had similar language to the Dear Colleague letter .

The Capitol’s Office of the Attending Physician is scheduling appointments for lawmakers to receive COVID-19 vaccines, with select staff to follow.
“My recommendation to you is absolutely unequivocal: there is no reason why you should defer receiving this vaccine,” Attending Physician Brian P. Monahan said in a “Dear Colleague” letter sent to House members and staff late Thursday. “The benefit far exceeds any small risk.”
Monahan said there was a limited supply of the vaccine and congressional spouses are not currently eligible because the Capitol is being provided with doses to ensure the continuity of government operations. Members are being encouraged to make appointments to get the vaccine — the one manufactured by Pfizer/BioNTech — in the Rayburn Building.
“Once we have completed the vaccination of the Members, we will follow a process to identify the continuity-essential staff members in the various divisions of the Capitol community in the coming weeks,” Monahan wrote. “The appointing process will then continue until the small vaccine supply is exhausted. A second dose scheduling process will then begin later.”
Earlier Thursday evening, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he would soon receive a COVID-19 vaccine, citing separate correspondence with Monahan that had similar language to the Dear Colleague letter.


rollcall--2020-12-17--Biden taps Haaland for Interior, N.C. environment chief Regan for EPA

President-elect Joe Biden will nominate Michael Regan , the top environmental regulator in North Carolina , to lead the EPA during his administration , and Rep. Deb Haaland , D-N.M. , as the first Native American to head the Interior Department .
Regan 's nomination would elevate a state official who has prioritized climate change , coal ash cleanup and environmental justice during his stint in the post .
And while it would further narrow the Democratic majority in the House for several months , Haaland 's selection was endorsed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. New Mexico 's 1st @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Haaland winning reelection last month by 17 percentage points .
Under state law , the secretary of state — who might be running for the seat — must schedule a special election within 10 days of the vacancy .
The election would have to be held within three months .
The Biden-Harris Transition announced the nominations Thursday evening , along with four other `` key nominees and appointees for their climate and energy team . ''
All had been widely reported by news organizations .
In addition to Haaland and Regan , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Energy secretary , environmental lawyer and Obama administration veteran Brenda Mallory to head the Council of Environmental Quality , Obama administration EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy as national climate adviser , and New York State Deputy Secretary for Energy and Environment Ali Zaidi for deputy national climate adviser .

President-elect Joe Biden will nominate Michael Regan, the top environmental regulator in North Carolina, to lead the EPA during his administration, and Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., as the first Native American to head the Interior Department.
Regan's nomination would elevate a state official who has prioritized climate change, coal ash cleanup and environmental justice during his stint in the post. And while it would further narrow the Democratic majority in the House for several months, Haaland's selection was endorsed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
New Mexico's 1st District is considered safely Democratic, with Haaland winning reelection last month by 17 percentage points. Under state law, the secretary of state — who might be running for the seat — must schedule a special election within 10 days of the vacancy. The election would have to be held within three months.
The Biden-Harris Transition announced the nominations Thursday evening, along with four other "key nominees and appointees for their climate and energy team." All had been widely reported by news organizations.
In addition to Haaland and Regan, they were former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm for Energy secretary, environmental lawyer and Obama administration veteran Brenda Mallory to head the Council of Environmental Quality, Obama administration EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy as national climate adviser, and New York State Deputy Secretary for Energy and Environment Ali Zaidi for deputy national climate adviser.


rollcall--2020-12-18--FDA authorizes second COVID-19 vaccine

FDA authorizes second COVID-19 vaccine

The Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization Friday for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna and the @ @ @ @ @ paving the way for another 6 million vaccines to be shipped by early next week @ @ @ @ @ of two vaccines now for the prevention of COVID-19 , the FDA has taken another @ @ @ @ @ against this global pandemic that is causing vast numbers of hospitalizations and deaths in the @ @ @ @ @ ” FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement .
The authorization for the Moderna/NIH @ @ @ @ @ the FDA granted emergency use authorization for a vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech that @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. this week .
Shipments have been projected to begin Tuesday night .
Like @ @ @ @ @ Moderna vaccine requires two doses .
For this vaccine , the doses should be spaced @ @ @ @

The Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization Friday for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna and the National Institutes of Health, paving the way for another 6 million vaccines to be shipped by early next week.
“With the availability of two vaccines now for the prevention of COVID-19, the FDA has taken another crucial step in the fight against this global pandemic that is causing vast numbers of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States each day,” FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement.
The authorization for the Moderna/NIH vaccine comes a week after the FDA granted emergency use authorization for a vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech that began to be distributed in the U.S. this week.
Shipments have been projected to begin Tuesday night.
Like the Pfizer vaccine, the Moderna vaccine requires two doses. For this vaccine, the doses should be spaced 28 days apart.


rollcall--2020-12-18--The Transition: A showdown over Fed powers stalls deal for COVID-19 aid

In this special episode of the Political Theater podcast , we look at a dispute that is threatening the delicate @ @ @ @ @ are tied to a Friday midnight government funding deadline .
The GOP wants to limit @ @ @ @ @ would tie the hands of Biden 's administration .
Also , we examine what energy @ @ @ @ @ like as President-elect Joe Biden 's Cabinet comes into focus .
CQ Roll Call 's @ @ @ @ @ Congress to take up two-day CR ahead of midnight funding deadline • Not sure whether @ @ @ @ @ Congressional Hits and Misses • With calendar winding down , GOP makes case for Trump @ @ @ @ @ Congress

Jim Saksa, Joanne Levine, and Evan Campbell

In this special episode of the Political Theater podcast, we look at a dispute that is threatening the delicate coronavirus relief bill negotiations that are tied to a Friday midnight government funding deadline. The GOP wants to limit Federal Reserve lending programs that would tie the hands of Biden's administration. Also, we examine what energy and environmental policy will look like as President-elect Joe Biden's Cabinet comes into focus. CQ Roll Call's Jim Saksa hosts.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-12-18--Senate clears two-day stopgap funding ahead of midnight deadline

Lawmakers sent a very short-term continuing resolution to President Donald Trump on Friday night as they sought to avoid a @ @ @ @ @ temporary spending law expires at midnight .
The Senate passed the bill on a voice @ @ @ @ @ fell away .
The House passed the bill earlier on a 320-60 vote , eclipsing @ @ @ @ @ of the rules , after Texas Republican Chip Roy scuttled plans for a quick voice @ @ @ @ @ recorded vote .
The weekend funding extension would buy lawmakers a little more time to @ @ @ @ @ fiscal 2021 omnibus appropriations bill , which is expected to carry a roughly $ 900 @ @ @ @ @ a smattering of unrelated legislation .
The omnibus was still hung up on several disputed @ @ @ @ @ on Friday night , however .
`` I believe all sides feel we 're making @ @ @ @ @ Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said after the Senate vote .
`` But alas , we @ @ @ @ @ ''

President Donald Trump on Friday night signed a very short-term spending bill to avoid a midnight government funding lapse, as negotiators continued to hash out a massive omnibus spending and coronavirus relief package.
The Senate passed the bill on a voice vote after several potential objections fell away. The House passed the bill earlier on a 320-60 vote, eclipsing the two-thirds required under suspension of the rules, after Texas Republican Chip Roy scuttled plans for a quick voice vote by asking for a recorded vote.
The weekend funding extension buys lawmakers a little more time to pass the $1.4 trillion fiscal 2021 omnibus appropriations bill, which is expected to carry a roughly $900 billion COVID-19 aid measure and a smattering of unrelated legislation.
The omnibus was still hung up on several disputed parts of the aid bill on Friday night, however.
"I believe all sides feel we're making good progress," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said after the Senate vote. "But alas, we are not there yet."


rollcall--2020-12-18--Lawmakers begin receiving COVID-19 vaccines

The campaign to get Congress vaccinated against COVID-19 is underway .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Majority Leader @ @ @ @ @ shared photos of themselves receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines on Friday .
Other lawmakers scheduled @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia and Del .
Eleanor Holmes Norton , D-D.C. “ I @ @ @ @ @ Americans are still waiting for shots they will get after me , many of whom @ @ @ @ @ lines of this pandemic , ” Beyer said in a statement after receiving the shot @ @ @ @ @ believe that I am more important than they are , but as national leaders it @ @ @ @ @ example.
” The vaccinations in the Capitol complex came the same day that Vice President @ @ @ @ @ of the two doses of the coronavirus vaccine .
Incoming White House Press Secretary Jen @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden will receive his first dose of the vaccine on Monday .

The campaign to get Congress vaccinated against COVID-19 is underway.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky each shared photos of themselves receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines on Friday.
Other lawmakers scheduled vaccinations Friday, including Democratic Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C.
“I am mindful that millions of Americans are still waiting for shots they will get after me, many of whom are workers on the front lines of this pandemic,” Beyer said in a statement after receiving the shot. “I do not believe that I am more important than they are, but as national leaders it is important to lead by example.”
The vaccinations in the Capitol complex came the same day that Vice President Mike Pence received the first of the two doses of the coronavirus vaccine. Incoming White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that President-elect Joe Biden will receive his first dose of the vaccine on Monday.


rollcall--2020-12-18--Not sure whether to drink or pray: Congressional Hits and Misses

Will Congress fund the government before a midnight deadline ?
Or pass another coronavirus relief package ?
Like most of @ @ @ @ @ still waiting .
And Sen. James M. Inhofe hopes it happens soon so he can @ @ @ @ @ anniversary .
Rep. Joe Cunningham dealt with the stress of partisanship by cracking open a @ @ @ @ @ , and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell recited new lyrics to Neil Diamond ’ s @ @ @ @ @ , retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander played holiday songs on the piano and Senate Chaplain Barry @ @ @ @ @ could at least accept the results of the 2020 presidential election .
More Hits and @ @ @ @ @ , ’ dental issues and a Pat Roberts face mask

Will Congress fund the government before a midnight deadline? Or pass another coronavirus relief package? Like most of Washington, we’re still waiting. And Sen. James M. Inhofe hopes it happens soon so he can get home for his wedding anniversary.
Rep. Joe Cunningham dealt with the stress of partisanship by cracking open a beer on the House floor, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell recited new lyrics to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” Meanwhile, retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander played holiday songs on the piano and Senate Chaplain Barry C. Black prayed that Republicans could at least accept the results of the 2020 presidential election.
More Hits and Misses: ‘Idiot control,’ dental issues and a Pat Roberts face mask


rollcall--2020-12-18--Photos of the week ending Dec. 18, 2020

Photos of the week ending Dec. 18, 2020

The week started off with a bipartisan COVID-19 relief package proposal , and as of the posting of this story @ @ @ @ @ come to a final agreement .
Meanwhile , members walked back and forth conducting business @ @ @ @ @ the government looms at midnight .
Here are the photos of the ( ongoing ) @ @ @ @ @ Roll Call 's photojournalists :

Bill Clark, Tom Williams, and Caroline Brehman

The week started off with a bipartisan COVID-19 relief package proposal, and as of the posting of this story — lawmakers still haven't come to a final agreement. Meanwhile, members walked back and forth conducting business as the deadline to fund the government looms at midnight.
Here are the photos of the (ongoing) week as captured by CQ Roll Call's photojournalists:
Sen. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., speaks during a news conference with a group of bipartisan lawmakers to unveil a proposal for a COVID-19 relief bill on Monday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
An aide carries model airplanes outside the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, with aides Liz Johnson and Chris Marroletti, walk down the stairs after a CNN interview in the Russell Senate Office Building on Tuesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Chairman Ron Johnson, R-Wis., arrives for the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing titled "Examining Irregularities in the 2020 Election" in Dirksen Building on Wednesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., meets virtually with HHS Secretary-designate Xavier Becerra and Surgeon General-designate Dr. Vivek Murthy in the LBJ Room in the Capitol on Wednesday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., leaves the U.S. Capitol as snow from Winter Storm Gail falls in Washington on Wednesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., crosses Constitution Avenue after a vote in the Senate as snow from Winter Storm Gail falls in Washington on Wednesday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., prepares to do an interview with MSNBC in the Russell Rotunda on Wednesday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., plays Christmas songs on the piano in the Hart Senate Office Building atrium on Wednesday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)


rollcall--2020-12-18--With calendar winding down, GOP makes case for Trump judicial pick in the 117th Congress

Sen. Lindsey Graham has said the Judiciary Committee won ’ t send any more of President Donald Trump ’ s judicial nominees to the Senate floor before the 116th Congress ends , likely on Jan. 3 .
Still , he held a hearing Wednesday on one more , in a bid to tee him up for the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden .
The panel heard testimony from Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach , who is nominated to be judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit .
He was confirmed , 95-3 , in May 2019 to be U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rico and was tapped to take a seat on the 1st Circuit after the October death of Judge Juan R. Torruella .
Graham told CQ Roll Call before the hearing he would get testimony from Arias-Marxuach and then wait to see if Majority Leader Mitch McConnell can advocate for Biden to re-nominate him next year .
In a nod to senatorial courtesy , it is not uncommon for the nominees of one president to be re-nominated by another , even if they are of opposing parties .
Several of Trump ’ s picks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama but never confirmed by the GOP Senate .
“ We ’ ll have a hearing and Mitch is gon na go talk to Biden , assuming Biden wins , which it looks like he will , about what they can do , ” he said , reiterating that he would not report Arias-Marxuach out of committee .
Graham referenced a similar situation in the transition from the Clinton administration to the administration of George W. Bush .

Sen. Lindsey Graham has said the Judiciary Committee won’t send any more of President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees to the Senate floor before the 116th Congress ends, likely on Jan. 3. Still, he held a hearing Wednesday on one more, in a bid to tee him up for the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden.
The panel heard testimony from Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach, who is nominated to be judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit. He was confirmed, 95-3, in May 2019 to be U.S. district judge for the District of Puerto Rico and was tapped to take a seat on the 1st Circuit after the October death of Judge Juan R. Torruella.
Graham told CQ Roll Call before the hearing he would get testimony from Arias-Marxuach and then wait to see if Majority Leader Mitch McConnell can advocate for Biden to re-nominate him next year. In a nod to senatorial courtesy, it is not uncommon for the nominees of one president to be re-nominated by another, even if they are of opposing parties. Several of Trump’s picks had been previously nominated by President Barack Obama but never confirmed by the GOP Senate.
“We’ll have a hearing and Mitch is gonna go talk to Biden, assuming Biden wins, which it looks like he will, about what they can do,” he said, reiterating that he would not report Arias-Marxuach out of committee.
Graham referenced a similar situation in the transition from the Clinton administration to the administration of George W. Bush.


rollcall--2020-12-18--Toomey Fed demand rocks coronavirus relief bill talks

Negotiations on a coronavirus aid package appeared to hit an eleventh-hour setback Friday when Democrats accused Republicans of making a late demand to block Federal Reserve lending programs .
The impasse was also threatening to trigger a partial government shutdown over the weekend because the latest stopgap spending law expires at midnight Friday .
House leaders were prepping a short-term stopgap measure to get at least through Sunday with the broader aid package and fiscal 2021 omnibus appropriations bill still under development .
Sen. Josh Hawley , R-Mo.
, said he would block the consent needed for swift Senate passage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressional leaders can provide details of the emerging aid agreement and what the proposed tax rebate checks he and others are seeking would look like .
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer , D-Md.
, said on the floor that plans and schedules should stay flexible .
He recessed the chamber until 5 p.m. while talks continue .
“ We ’ re hoping in the next three hours we ’ ll have a clearer picture of where we are , ” Hoyer said .
The biggest immediate hurdle seemed to be a push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Pennsylvania to block the next administration and the Federal Reserve from relaunching several expiring lending programs next year .
Democrats said the move could hamper the economic recovery and hamstring the incoming Biden administration .

Negotiations on a coronavirus aid package appeared to hit an eleventh-hour setback Friday when Democrats accused Republicans of making a late demand to block Federal Reserve lending programs.
The impasse was also threatening to trigger a partial government shutdown over the weekend because the latest stopgap spending law expires at midnight Friday. House leaders were prepping a short-term stopgap measure to get at least through Sunday with the broader aid package and fiscal 2021 omnibus appropriations bill still under development.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said he would block the consent needed for swift Senate passage of a stopgap, however, unless congressional leaders can provide details of the emerging aid agreement and what the proposed tax rebate checks he and others are seeking would look like.
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., said on the floor that plans and schedules should stay flexible. He recessed the chamber until 5 p.m. while talks continue. “We’re hoping in the next three hours we’ll have a clearer picture of where we are,” Hoyer said.
The biggest immediate hurdle seemed to be a push led by Republican Sen. Patrick J. Toomey of Pennsylvania to block the next administration and the Federal Reserve from relaunching several expiring lending programs next year. Democrats said the move could hamper the economic recovery and hamstring the incoming Biden administration.


rollcall--2020-12-18--Toomey digs in on ‘redundant’ Fed facilities provision

The $ 900 billion coronavirus relief bill that would extend economic lifelines to thousands of struggling small businesses , 14 million unemployed Americans and 17 million renters facing eviction could hit a snag on a provision that its main sponsor says “ could be seen as redundant.
” On a press call Thursday , Sen. Patrick J. Toomey , R-Pa. , said preventing the next Treasury secretary and the Federal Reserve from relaunching five emergency credit facilities next year was “ the most important thing to me ” in the COVID-19 rescue package .
The facilities are set to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in the air as coronavirus relief talks drag on ] “ Maintaining the integrity of the role of the Fed , preventing the Fed from being politicized , from being misused , from becoming an allocator of credit and America ’ s biggest commercial bank , that ’ s the most important thing , ” said Toomey , who is in line to be the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee next year .
At the onset of the pandemic , the Fed launched a series of emergency lending facilities to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncertainty , using the Treasury Department ’ s Exchange Stabilization Fund to backstop the loans those programs made .
Congress gave Treasury $ 454 billion in a March relief package to top up the fund and support the creation of additional Fed credit facilities .
Just creating the programs was enough to calm the markets , and the facilities were ultimately little used , leaving $ 429 billion unspent .

The $900 billion coronavirus relief bill that would extend economic lifelines to thousands of struggling small businesses, 14 million unemployed Americans and 17 million renters facing eviction could hit a snag on a provision that its main sponsor says “could be seen as redundant.”
On a press call Thursday, Sen. Patrick J. Toomey, R-Pa., said preventing the next Treasury secretary and the Federal Reserve from relaunching five emergency credit facilities next year was “the most important thing to me” in the COVID-19 rescue package. The facilities are set to end on Dec. 31.
[Stopgap funding up in the air as coronavirus relief talks drag on]
“Maintaining the integrity of the role of the Fed, preventing the Fed from being politicized, from being misused, from becoming an allocator of credit and America’s biggest commercial bank, that’s the most important thing,” said Toomey, who is in line to be the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee next year.
At the onset of the pandemic, the Fed launched a series of emergency lending facilities to rescue financial markets that were drowning in uncertainty, using the Treasury Department’s Exchange Stabilization Fund to backstop the loans those programs made. Congress gave Treasury $454 billion in a March relief package to top up the fund and support the creation of additional Fed credit facilities. Just creating the programs was enough to calm the markets, and the facilities were ultimately little used, leaving $429 billion unspent.


rollcall--2020-12-18--Supreme Court punts ruling on Trump’s census memo

The Supreme Court will let President Donald Trump try to reshape how the country divides up congressional seats , tossing @ @ @ @ @ effort to exclude undocumented immigrants from the process .
The high court did not rule @ @ @ @ @ ’ s effort , only that the litigants could not bring the case now .
@ @ @ @ @ is essentially a punt — setting up another case down the road if Trump could @ @ @ @ @ leaving office .
The six conservative justices voted together after questioning during oral arguments the @ @ @ @ @ census results are finished being processed .
“ At present , this case is riddled @ @ @ @ @ impede judicial review , ” the unsigned ruling said .
Trump and his allies have @ @ @ @ @ in census figures used to reallocate congressional seats dilutes the power of voters in states @ @ @ @ @ estimate from the Pew Research Center said the effort could shift as many as half @ @ @ @ @ the states .

The Supreme Court will let President Donald Trump try to reshape how the country divides up congressional seats, tossing Friday a challenge to his effort to exclude undocumented immigrants from the process.
The high court did not rule on the legality of Trump’s effort, only that the litigants could not bring the case now. The president’s victory is essentially a punt — setting up another case down the road if Trump could actually enact the policy before leaving office.
The six conservative justices voted together after questioning during oral arguments the practicality of ruling before the census results are finished being processed.
“At present, this case is riddled with contingencies and speculation that impede judicial review,” the unsigned ruling said.
Trump and his allies have argued that including undocumented immigrants in census figures used to reallocate congressional seats dilutes the power of voters in states with few immigrants. An estimate from the Pew Research Center said the effort could shift as many as half a dozen congressional seats among the states.


rollcall--2020-12-18--Trump signs two-day stopgap funding bill, averts shutdown

President Donald Trump on Friday night signed a very short-term spending bill to avoid a midnight government funding lapse , @ @ @ @ @ out a massive omnibus spending and coronavirus relief package .
The Senate passed the bill @ @ @ @ @ several potential objections fell away .
The House passed the bill earlier on a 320-60 @ @ @ @ @ required under suspension of the rules , after Texas Republican Chip Roy scuttled plans for @ @ @ @ @ asking for a recorded vote .
The weekend funding extension buys lawmakers a little more @ @ @ @ @ 1.4 trillion fiscal 2021 omnibus appropriations bill , which is expected to carry a roughly @ @ @ @ @ measure and a smattering of unrelated legislation .
The omnibus was still hung up on @ @ @ @ @ aid bill on Friday night , however .
`` I believe all sides feel we @ @ @ @ @ '' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said after the Senate vote .
`` But alas @ @ @ @ @ yet . ''


rollcall--2020-12-19--Differences narrowing on coronavirus relief package, but no deal yet

The Senate adjourned Saturday evening without an agreement on a coronavirus aid package congressional leaders were aiming to attach to a massive year-end spending bill , but there were glimmers of hope that a deal was in sight .
The chamber is expected to come back into session Sunday at 1 p.m. , less than 12 hours before stopgap funding for federal agencies is set to lapse .
There was some initial talk floating around the Capitol about the potential for another short-term continuing resolution , according to Sen. James Lankford , R-Okla .
But if a deal is struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as early as Sunday in time for House votes .
The central issue holding up a deal was a GOP demand to sunset Federal Reserve facilities seeded with emergency appropriations in March .
Sen. Patrick J. Toomey , R-Pa. , who will be the top GOP senator on the Banking Committee next year , not only wants to close down programs aimed at boosting the corporate bond market and borrowing by states and localities and midsized businesses .
He wants to bar the Fed and Treasury Department from ever setting up such facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they wo n't cross given the potential need for further economic recovery measures .

A long-awaited pandemic relief package seemed to be at hand late Saturday after Sen. Patrick J. Toomey dropped his demand to prevent the Federal Reserve from potentially restarting similar lending programs to those created earlier this year.
The breakthrough came after Toomey, R-Pa., met for several hours Saturday night with Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and other senators involved in banking issues.
"I believe we'll be able to, yes." Schumer said late Saturday when asked if lawmakers would be ready to vote on a package Sunday. "House and Senate."
A senior Democratic aide told reporters that Toomey was no longer insisting on permanently shutting down any lending facilities aimed at boosting demand for corporate bonds, municipal bonds and loans to midsized businesses. Similar, though not identical, programs could still be established by the Fed under the potential agreement.
Toomey had argued the lending programs weren't central to the Fed's mission and could result in propping up profligate state governments, for instance. Toomey spokesman Steve Kelly said the "tentative agreement is an unqualified victory for taxpayers."


rollcall--2020-12-19--Breakthrough seen on coronavirus relief bill with Fed lending compromise

A long-awaited pandemic relief package seemed to be at hand late Saturday after Sen. Patrick J. Toomey dropped his demand to prevent the Federal Reserve from potentially restarting similar lending programs to those created earlier this year .
The breakthrough came after Toomey , R-Pa. , met for several hours Saturday night with Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and other senators involved in banking issues .
`` I believe we 'll be able to , yes . ''
Schumer said late Saturday when asked if lawmakers would be ready to vote on a package Sunday .
`` House and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters that Toomey was no longer insisting on permanently shutting down any lending facilities aimed at boosting demand for corporate bonds , municipal bonds and loans to midsized businesses .
Similar , though not identical , programs could still be established by the Fed under the potential agreement .
Toomey had argued the lending programs were n't central to the Fed 's mission and could result in propping up profligate state governments , for instance .
Toomey spokesman Steve Knight said the `` tentative agreement is an unqualified victory for taxpayers .
@


rollcall--2020-12-20--Debbie Dingell reveals 2020 jingle: ‘Let us zoom!’

“ Let us zoom !
Let us zoom !
Let us zoom !
” Lots of Capitol Hill Christmas traditions @ @ @ @ @ because of the COVID-19 pandemic , but two that have prevailed are waiting until the @ @ @ @ @ government funding deal , and the annual Dingell holiday jingle .
Former Energy and Commerce @ @ @ @ @ an annual holiday song , set to the tune of a popular Christmas carol , @ @ @ @ @ Dingell , D-Mich. , has carried it on since she won the seat to replace @ @ @ @ @ For 2020 , the jingle is set to “ Let it Snow , ” and @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic year , including the use of Zoom meetings .
Dingell concludes , “ @ @ @ @ @ to 2020 !
” Here are the lyrics to the 2020 version of the jingle @

“Let us zoom! Let us zoom! Let us zoom!”
Lots of Capitol Hill Christmas traditions are on pause this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but two that have prevailed are waiting until the very last minute for a government funding deal, and the annual Dingell holiday jingle.
Former Energy and Commerce Chairman John D. Dingell presented an annual holiday song, set to the tune of a popular Christmas carol, and his wife Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., has carried it on since she won the seat to replace him in the House.
For 2020, the jingle is set to “Let it Snow,” and it reflects the reality of the pandemic year, including the use of Zoom meetings. Dingell concludes, “Happy Holidays and good riddance to 2020!”
Here are the lyrics to the 2020 version of the jingle:


rollcall--2020-12-20--Deal reached on $900B coronavirus relief package; votes likely Monday

Congressional leaders on Sunday night reached agreement on a massive pandemic rescue measure that will be attached to a $ 1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1 .
`` At long last we have the bipartisan breakthrough the country has needed , '' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor .
`` Now we need to promptly finalize text , avoid any last-minute obstacles and cooperate to move this legislation through both chambers . ''
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer spoke just after McConnell and confirmed the agreement , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bipartisan negotiations '' between the leadership of both parties and the White House .
The New York Democrat earlier described the delay in terms of making sure the legislative language itself reflects the most recent bipartisan deals that have been cut .
`` They ’ ve written the vast majority of it which has been agreed to , but they have to rewrite the parts or write the parts that have just been recently agreed to , '' Schumer told reporters .
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer , D-Md.
, put lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a vote on the as-yet-unreleased text would be held later in the day .
But it still was n't clear when the final bill would be ready and posted for lawmakers and the public to see it .

Congressional leaders on Sunday night reached agreement on a massive pandemic rescue measure that will be attached to a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1.
"At long last we have the bipartisan breakthrough the country has needed," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor. "Now we need to promptly finalize text, avoid any last-minute obstacles and cooperate to move this legislation through both chambers."
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer spoke just after McConnell and confirmed the agreement, which he said ends "weeks of intense bipartisan negotiations" between the leadership of both parties and the White House.
The New York Democrat earlier described the delay in terms of making sure the legislative language itself reflects the most recent bipartisan deals that have been cut. "They’ve written the vast majority of it which has been agreed to, but they have to rewrite the parts or write the parts that have just been recently agreed to," Schumer told reporters.
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., put lawmakers in that chamber on notice Sunday morning that a vote on the as-yet-unreleased text would be held later in the day. But it still wasn't clear when the final bill would be ready and posted for lawmakers and the public to see it.


rollcall--2020-12-21--Photos of the year: 2020 as seen by Caroline Brehman

On a typical week in a typical year , you can find me roaming the hallways of Congress photographing the @ @ @ @ @ life on Capitol Hill .
However , 2020 was far from typical .
From covering @ @ @ @ @ killing of George Floyd , holidays during a pandemic , to congressional races in Virginia @ @ @ @ @ large part of the past nine months outside of the Capitol grounds .
I wanted @ @ @ @ @ year to reflect this and tell the story of the eventful year that was 2020 @ @ @ @ @ Caroline Brehman is a D.C.-based photojournalist with CQ Roll Call .
This is the start @ @ @ @ @ our photo staff shares their most iconic images of the year 2020 .
Follow her @ @ @ @

On a typical week in a typical year, you can find me roaming the hallways of Congress photographing the ins and outs of daily life on Capitol Hill. However, 2020 was far from typical.
From covering the D.C. protests after the killing of George Floyd, holidays during a pandemic, to congressional races in Virginia, I have spent a large part of the past nine months outside of the Capitol grounds. I wanted my selections from this past year to reflect this and tell the story of the eventful year that was 2020.
Editor's Note: Caroline Brehman is a D.C.-based photojournalist with CQ Roll Call. This is the start of a three-part series where our photo staff shares their most iconic images of the year 2020. Follow her on Twitter here.
JANUARY 22: Chief Justice John Roberts enters the Capitol for the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
JANUARY 29: Lev Parnas, a Rudy Giuliani associate with ties to Ukraine, waits in the office of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to pick up his ticket to attend the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
FEBRUARY 4: Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., rips up a copy of President Donald Trump's State of the Union address at the conclusion of his speech. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
FEBRUARY 13: A supporter makes a heart with her hands as she watches Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speak at a town hall event at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Va. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
APRIL 12: A man holds his baby as he sings during the Easter drive-in service at Glasgow Farm in Fredericksburg, Va., held outdoors due to the coronavirus outbreak on Easter Sunday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
MAY 5: Health care workers administer COVID-19 tests at the drive-thru testing facility at George Washington University. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
MAY 24: An employee at Flashback Old Time Photos wears her face mask as she waits for customers on the Ocean City Boardwalk during Memorial Day weekend. Maryland had recently lifted its stay-at-home order as it entered Phase 1 of reopening the state. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
MAY 30: The T-Mobile store near the White House is looted as protests flare up in Washington following the death of George Floyd. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
MAY 31: Police in riot gear face off with protesters near the White House following the death of George Floyd. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
JUNE 3: Philomena Wannenge holds up her fist as demonstrators outside the Capitol protest the death of George Floyd. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
JULY 28: Plebes wearing their face masks arrive for swim training at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
AUGUST 3: White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, left, arrives for a meeting with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to continue negotiations on a coronavirus stimulus bill in the Capitol. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
AUGUST 7: Protesters hold lit signs as fireworks go off at the Washington Monument at the conclusion of President Donald Trump's acceptance speech for the Republican National Convention in Washington. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
SEPTEMBER 8: Fourth-year student Ashley Grullon wears a face mask as she works in her dorm room as in-person classes resumed at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
SEPTEMBER 23: A man pays his respects as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at the top of the U.S. Supreme Court steps in Washington. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
OCTOBER 15: A protester is carried away by U.S. Capitol Police after a group blocked an intersection outside the Dirksen Senate Office Building to show opposition to the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
OCTOBER 26: Protesters for and against the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett argue outside the U.S. Supreme Court. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
NOVEMBER 2: A woman walks past a mural that reads "vote" in Philadelphia the day before Election Day. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
NOVEMBER 3: Shannon Epstein, left, and Bekah Carlson react as they watch election results being shown in McPherson Square in Washington. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)


rollcall--2020-12-21--Craft brewers, railroads and more to see permanent tax breaks

Lawmakers are primed to make excise tax cuts for some 20,000 small brewers , wineries and distilleries permanent in an emerging year-end tax package being grafted onto an omnibus spending bill , according to sources familiar with the tax package who spoke on condition of anonymity .
These small businesses , located in every state and almost every congressional district , waged an intensive lobbying campaign to protect tax breaks that were estimated to cost the Treasury $ 950 million for a one-year extension that expires Dec. 31 .
“ This is a huge sigh of relief for struggling craft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needles awaiting the outcome of these discussions , ” Chris Swonger , president and chief executive of the Distilled Spirits Council , said in a statement .
Small distillers were scheduled to lose an 80 percent cut in their excise taxes on Dec. 31 , which threatened the survival of some operations since the industry relies heavily on tasting rooms and other consumer contacts that have fallen off during the pandemic .
A $ 1.80 per square foot tax credit on expenditures to make commercial buildings more energy efficient would also be made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credit indexed for inflation and updated efficiency standards .

Lawmakers are primed to make excise tax cuts for some 20,000 small brewers, wineries and distilleries permanent in an emerging year-end tax package being grafted onto an omnibus spending bill, according to sources familiar with the tax package who spoke on condition of anonymity.
These small businesses, located in every state and almost every congressional district, waged an intensive lobbying campaign to protect tax breaks that were estimated to cost the Treasury $950 million for a one-year extension that expires Dec. 31.
“This is a huge sigh of relief for struggling craft distillers who have been on pins and needles awaiting the outcome of these discussions,” Chris Swonger, president and chief executive of the Distilled Spirits Council, said in a statement.
Small distillers were scheduled to lose an 80 percent cut in their excise taxes on Dec. 31, which threatened the survival of some operations since the industry relies heavily on tasting rooms and other consumer contacts that have fallen off during the pandemic.
A $1.80 per square foot tax credit on expenditures to make commercial buildings more energy efficient would also be made permanent under the proposal, with the credit indexed for inflation and updated efficiency standards.


rollcall--2020-12-21--Biden climate team’s foes: Time, politics and bureaucracy

The effects of climate change were already apparent in 2016 when Donald Trump , then president-elect , introduced his team of nominees to lead energy and environmental policies and help `` unleash '' American fossil energy industries .
Now , four years and more than a hundred rollbacks of energy , transportation and environmental rules later , an even warmer planet spawning evermore devastating hurricanes and record-setting wildfires awaits President-elect Joe Biden 's team .
Biden finalized what he called his `` climate team '' last week : Rep. Deb Haaland , D-N.M. , for Interior secretary , former Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , North Carolina environmental regulator Michael Regan for EPA administrator and Brenda Mallory to chair the Council on Environmental Quality , a White House agency .
The group , joined by international climate adviser John Kerry and domestic aides Gina McCarthy and Ali Zaidi , who both worked in the Obama administration , faces the daunting task of reining in heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions , re-engaging foreign leaders on environmental issues , restoring and revising climate-related regulations eliminated or weakened by the Trump administration , nudging along climate legislation in Congress and doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ It showed it ’ s a high priority for the administration to engage around the different corners of climate , whether it ’ s at Interior or inside the White House or in the Cabinet , ” Heather Reams , executive director of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions , a right-leaning clean energy group , said of the rollout .
“ This is clustered together in a way to tell a story .
”

Benjamin J. Hulac, Joseph Morton, and Jessica Wehrman

The effects of climate change were already apparent in 2016 when Donald Trump, then president-elect, introduced his team of nominees to lead energy and environmental policies and help "unleash" American fossil energy industries.
Now, four years and more than a hundred rollbacks of energy, transportation and environmental rules later, an even warmer planet spawning evermore devastating hurricanes and record-setting wildfires awaits President-elect Joe Biden's team.
Biden finalized what he called his "climate team" last week: Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., for Interior secretary, former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm for Energy secretary, North Carolina environmental regulator Michael Regan for EPA administrator and Brenda Mallory to chair the Council on Environmental Quality, a White House agency.
The group, joined by international climate adviser John Kerry and domestic aides Gina McCarthy and Ali Zaidi, who both worked in the Obama administration, faces the daunting task of reining in heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions, re-engaging foreign leaders on environmental issues, restoring and revising climate-related regulations eliminated or weakened by the Trump administration, nudging along climate legislation in Congress and doing it all in the midst of an economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It showed it’s a high priority for the administration to engage around the different corners of climate, whether it’s at Interior or inside the White House or in the Cabinet,” Heather Reams, executive director of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, a right-leaning clean energy group, said of the rollout. “This is clustered together in a way to tell a story.”


rollcall--2020-12-20--Coronavirus relief package set to clear Monday, ending months of stalemate

Lawmakers are on the cusp of sending a long-delayed $ 900 billion economic recovery and health care package to President Donald Trump ’ s desk , one that ’ s significantly downsized from prior Democratic ambitions but more than most Republicans prefer .
The coronavirus relief provisions were being added to a giant $ 1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill for fiscal 2021 that House lawmakers were set to vote on Monday .
House leaders were structuring debate on the mega-package in two tranches to make the votes more palatable for members on both sides of the aisle , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The move to “ divide the question , ” as it ’ s known , would have lawmakers vote on one batch of bills related to “ security ” that are generally more up Republicans ’ alley : a combination of the Defense , Homeland Security , Commerce-Justice-Science and Financial Services appropriations bills .
That measure would include $ 1.375 billion in border wall funding , for instance , according to a GOP summary , the same level as provided last year but much more than the zero dollars House Democrats support .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight remaining fiscal 2021 spending bills , the COVID-19 relief package and numerous other sidecar measures ranging from a clean energy package to water infrastructure legislation to a hard-fought deal to crack down on surprise out-of-network medical bills in emergency rooms and elsewhere .

Lawmakers are on the cusp of sending a long-delayed $900 billion economic recovery and health care package to President Donald Trump’s desk, one that’s significantly downsized from prior Democratic ambitions but more than most Republicans prefer.
The coronavirus relief provisions were being added to a giant $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill for fiscal 2021 that House lawmakers were set to vote on Monday. House leaders were structuring debate on the mega-package in two tranches to make the votes more palatable for members on both sides of the aisle, according to a source familiar with the plan.
The move to “divide the question,” as it’s known, would have lawmakers vote on one batch of bills related to “security” that are generally more up Republicans’ alley: a combination of the Defense, Homeland Security, Commerce-Justice-Science and Financial Services appropriations bills.
That measure would include $1.375 billion in border wall funding, for instance, according to a GOP summary, the same level as provided last year but much more than the zero dollars House Democrats support.
The other batch would consist of the eight remaining fiscal 2021 spending bills, the COVID-19 relief package and numerous other sidecar measures ranging from a clean energy package to water infrastructure legislation to a hard-fought deal to crack down on surprise out-of-network medical bills in emergency rooms and elsewhere.


rollcall--2020-12-21--House passes massive year-end spending bill with coronavirus aid

The House passed a mammoth spending package Monday night that would provide nearly $ 900 billion to address the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ federal agencies through next September .
House leaders held two votes on the package with @ @ @ @ @ the Commerce-Justice-Science , Defense , Financial Services and Homeland Security spending bills and 359-53 to @ @ @ @ @ bills for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1 , pandemic aid and numerous other @ @ @ @ @ expected to clear the measure Monday night and the White House said President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ another short-term stopgap was necessary to avoid a funding lapse while the paperwork is in @ @ @ @ @ measure would deliver the first major infusion of new aid in nine months , since @ @ @ @ @ 2 trillion package in March .
It would provide new money for small-business loans , @ @ @ @ @ for 10 weeks , a new round of $ 600 tax rebate checks , billions @ @ @ @ @ other provisions .

The Senate late Monday night cleared a mammoth spending package for President Donald Trump's signature that would provide nearly $900 billion to address the COVID-19 pandemic and fund federal agencies through the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2021.
Trump is expected to sign the legislation, though it could take a few extra days to get the paperwork ready. As insurance against a partial government shutdown, lawmakers also sent Trump a weeklong continuing resolution on Monday night, with little over an hour until the current funding extension was set to lapse.
The Senate cleared the measure on a 92-6 vote after a brief debate that mainly focused on the underlying bill's one-year extension of production tax credits for wind energy. Senate Republicans from coal- and natural gas-producing states argued that they discovered the wind credit "surprise" when reviewing the massive 5,593-page bill, and cited a deal cut five years ago to phase the credit out completely.
“I feel like I’m living in episode of the ‘Twilight Zone,’” Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said on the floor, referring to the wind credit as a “market-distorting atrocity.” Cramer and fellow North Dakota Republican John Hoeven, along with James Lankford, R-Okla., tried to amend the package to strip out the wind credit extension, but Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., objected.
Wyden said he agreed with the sentiment that energy policy should be “technology neutral” without subsidies for favored industries, but that it wasn’t time yet to revoke support for the wind electricity market. “I would submit this is the best approach to we have today, which is a need to make sure that critical investments are not missed out on now,” he said.


rollcall--2020-12-21--Midwestern carpenters would get relief in year-end tax package

The massive year-end appropriations and coronavirus relief package contains a holiday gift for about 20,000 Missouri and Illinois employees in the building and construction trades who are members of the St. Louis Carpenters ’ Pension Plan .
Tucked deep inside the 5,593-page omnibus bill is bipartisan legislation authored by both sets of Illinois and Missouri senators and seven House lawmakers from the two states that would reverse an IRS decision threatening the tax-exempt status of the carpenters ’ pension plan .
The carpenters ’ plan allows members to take a form of early retirement starting at age 55 , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversee younger workers , according to Sen. Roy Blunt , R-Mo.
, and Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer , R-Mo.
, the lead sponsors .
However , since the IRS decision that allowing pensioners to remain employed ran afoul of the rules , promised benefits , including under prior IRS rulings , are now threatened .
The omnibus provision would reverse the newer IRS position and allow continued distributions to those early retirees age 55 or older .
The St. Louis carpenters ’ plan is in better financial shape than others in the building trades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling union pension plans fell apart in the final bargaining on the omnibus bill over how much taxpayers should be on the hook for backstopping retiree benefits .

The massive year-end appropriations and coronavirus relief package contains a holiday gift for about 20,000 Missouri and Illinois employees in the building and construction trades who are members of the St. Louis Carpenters’ Pension Plan.
Tucked deep inside the 5,593-page omnibus bill is bipartisan legislation authored by both sets of Illinois and Missouri senators and seven House lawmakers from the two states that would reverse an IRS decision threatening the tax-exempt status of the carpenters’ pension plan.
The carpenters’ plan allows members to take a form of early retirement starting at age 55, while technically staying as employees to train and oversee younger workers, according to Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., the lead sponsors.
However, since the IRS decision that allowing pensioners to remain employed ran afoul of the rules, promised benefits, including under prior IRS rulings, are now threatened. The omnibus provision would reverse the newer IRS position and allow continued distributions to those early retirees age 55 or older.
The St. Louis carpenters’ plan is in better financial shape than others in the building trades, yet a broader fix for other struggling union pension plans fell apart in the final bargaining on the omnibus bill over how much taxpayers should be on the hook for backstopping retiree benefits.


rollcall--2020-12-21--Scant mention of COVID-19 compromise as Georgia Senate candidates hold rallies

As lawmakers in Washington finalized a $ 900 billion pandemic relief package Monday afternoon , the Democrats and Republicans in the Georgia Senate runoffs that will determine majority control of the chamber held dueling rallies with two high-profile surrogates , Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and first daughter Ivanka Trump .
Republican Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler and their respective Democratic challengers , Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock , had rushed to release statements over the previous 24 hours that cherry-picked aspects of the pandemic deal they liked and blamed the other side for the months of inaction leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was their turn to address the crowds of Georgia voters Monday , none of the candidates mentioned the new round of relief , opting instead for stump speeches and imploring voters to cast ballots as soon as they can .
Early voting in the Jan. 5 runoffs is underway .
The omission was surprising , given the central role that COVID-19 relief has played in both campaigns , and raises the question of whether either side has determined how to talk about the new agreement with the base voters they need to turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republicans in particular might have wanted to take credit for it , ” said Charles Bullock , a political scientist at the University of Georgia .
“ Both of them have been beaten up in ads from their opponents .
”

As lawmakers in Washington finalized a $900 billion pandemic relief package Monday afternoon, the Democrats and Republicans in the Georgia Senate runoffs that will determine majority control of the chamber held dueling rallies with two high-profile surrogates, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and first daughter Ivanka Trump.
Republican Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler and their respective Democratic challengers, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, had rushed to release statements over the previous 24 hours that cherry-picked aspects of the pandemic deal they liked and blamed the other side for the months of inaction leading up to it.
But when it was their turn to address the crowds of Georgia voters Monday, none of the candidates mentioned the new round of relief, opting instead for stump speeches and imploring voters to cast ballots as soon as they can. Early voting in the Jan. 5 runoffs is underway.
The omission was surprising, given the central role that COVID-19 relief has played in both campaigns, and raises the question of whether either side has determined how to talk about the new agreement with the base voters they need to turn out.
“I would have thought the Republicans in particular might have wanted to take credit for it,” said Charles Bullock, a political scientist at the University of Georgia. “Both of them have been beaten up in ads from their opponents.”


rollcall--2020-12-21--Legislative Branch bill includes new accountability measures for Capitol Police

The fiscal 2021 omnibus spending bill released Monday would prompt new Capitol Police transparency but leaves out House-backed language mandating the removal of statues and busts of Confederates and other figures from the Capitol .
The $ 5.3 billion Legislative Branch measure , which covers Congress and its offices , `` encourages the Department to develop a process for routinely sharing information with the public about the activities and actions of the [ U.S. Capitol Police ] in conducting its mission , '' according to a joint explanatory statement on the bill .
The process should be consistent and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protecting the Congress and the legislative process . ''
Overall , the bill would boost spending on Congress by about $ 251 million over current law .
The Capitol Police is charged with protecting Congress and is largely shielded from public disclosure .
As a part of the Legislative Branch , the force need not comply with Freedom of Information Act requests , despite being funded by taxpayers .
Following George Floyd ’ s killing at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department in May , protests erupted across the country demanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The House 's fiscal 2021 Legislative Branch spending bill included several mechanisms to hold their own police force to account .

The fiscal 2021 omnibus spending bill released Monday would prompt new Capitol Police transparency but leaves out House-backed language mandating the removal of statues and busts of Confederates and other figures from the Capitol.
The $5.3 billion Legislative Branch measure, which covers Congress and its offices, "encourages the Department to develop a process for routinely sharing information with the public about the activities and actions of the [U.S. Capitol Police] in conducting its mission," according to a joint explanatory statement on the bill. The process should be consistent and not interfere with "USCP's primary mission of protecting the Congress and the legislative process."
Overall, the bill would boost spending on Congress by about $251 million over current law.
The Capitol Police is charged with protecting Congress and is largely shielded from public disclosure. As a part of the Legislative Branch, the force need not comply with Freedom of Information Act requests, despite being funded by taxpayers.
Following George Floyd’s killing at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department in May, protests erupted across the country demanding increased accountability and transparency from police departments. The House's fiscal 2021 Legislative Branch spending bill included several mechanisms to hold their own police force to account.


rollcall--2020-12-21--Package includes new museums focused on women and Latinos

The Smithsonian Institution can start the process of building two new museums in Washington honoring the history of women and American Latinos after Congress clears a massive year-end omnibus bill .
Separate bills authorizing both museums passed the House this year as stand-alone measures but were unable to get through the Senate , so they were added to the omnibus to provide for easier passage .
The omnibus measure , released Monday and scheduled for votes in both chambers the same day , is a 5,593-page collection of bills that Congress wanted to pass before the end of the session @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief and extraneous measures .
The latter included the two bills authorizing the Smithsonian to build a Women ’ s History Museum and a National Museum of the American Latino .
The House passed the Smithsonian Women ’ s History Museum Act in February on a 374-37 vote and the National Museum of the American Latino Act in July via voice vote .
The Senate Rules and Administration Committee unanimously approved both measures earlier this month .
On Dec. 10 , the Senate sponsors tried to get the museum bills passed on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican Sen. Mike Lee objected .

The Smithsonian Institution can start the process of building two new museums in Washington honoring the history of women and American Latinos after Congress clears a massive year-end omnibus bill.
Separate bills authorizing both museums passed the House this year as stand-alone measures but were unable to get through the Senate, so they were added to the omnibus to provide for easier passage.
The omnibus measure, released Monday and scheduled for votes in both chambers the same day, is a 5,593-page collection of bills that Congress wanted to pass before the end of the session, including fiscal 2021 appropriations, coronavirus relief and extraneous measures. The latter included the two bills authorizing the Smithsonian to build a Women’s History Museum and a National Museum of the American Latino.
The House passed the Smithsonian Women’s History Museum Act in February on a 374-37 vote and the National Museum of the American Latino Act in July via voice vote.
The Senate Rules and Administration Committee unanimously approved both measures earlier this month. On Dec. 10, the Senate sponsors tried to get the museum bills passed on the floor via unanimous consent, but Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee objected.


rollcall--2020-12-21--Omnibus spending package reflects shaky detente in Trump’s final chapter

The $ 1.4 trillion omnibus spending agreement lawmakers released Monday includes many of the delicate compromises that have kept the government functioning during Donald Trump ’ s presidency , but leave both sides somewhat dissatisfied .
Funding for the border wall and a cap on Immigrations and Customs Enforcement ’ s detention capacity remained about equal to prior years , while the White House maintained its ability to move money from certain accounts to the wall or to boost detention in times of border “ surges.
” Democrats weren ’ t able to include language that would have undone many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on health care funding , environmental programs or renaming military installations honoring Confederates , but it ’ s likely the incoming Biden administration will start that process in less than a month .
The annual defense policy bill , which Trump has said he will veto , also includes language requiring the Defense Department to rename the bases .
And funding for a program that lets veterans see private doctors closer to home will continue being funded under regular discretionary spending caps after a months-long battle that pit House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , R-Ala. , and numerous Democrats .
Appropriators in both chambers initially agreed to simply designate the full $ 12.5 billion extra needed for fiscal 2021 as emergency spending , letting them use up valuable space within tight budget caps for other programs .

The $1.4 trillion omnibus spending agreement lawmakers released Monday includes many of the delicate compromises that have kept the government functioning during Donald Trump’s presidency, but leave both sides somewhat dissatisfied.
Funding for the border wall and a cap on Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s detention capacity remained about equal to prior years, while the White House maintained its ability to move money from certain accounts to the wall or to boost detention in times of border “surges.”
Democrats weren’t able to include language that would have undone many of the Trump administration’s policies on health care funding, environmental programs or renaming military installations honoring Confederates, but it’s likely the incoming Biden administration will start that process in less than a month. The annual defense policy bill, which Trump has said he will veto, also includes language requiring the Defense Department to rename the bases.
And funding for a program that lets veterans see private doctors closer to home will continue being funded under regular discretionary spending caps after a months-long battle that pit House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy against Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard C. Shelby, R-Ala., and numerous Democrats.
Appropriators in both chambers initially agreed to simply designate the full $12.5 billion extra needed for fiscal 2021 as emergency spending, letting them use up valuable space within tight budget caps for other programs.


rollcall--2020-12-21--House passes another stopgap to give Trump time to sign massive bill

Even with a huge year-end spending bill finally in hand , lawmakers took extra steps Monday to ensure there won ’ t be any government shutdown over Christmas .
On a mostly party-line vote of 227-180 , the House approved a procedural rule on the omnibus spending measure that would include a stopgap bill extending current funding for seven days .
The House Rules Committee earlier approved the rule for floor debate on a 8-4 vote .
That spending Band-Aid , if cleared by the Senate and signed by President Donald Trump , would give Congress an extra week to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal agencies through next September and provide some $ 900 billion in coronavirus relief .
Even if the Senate can clear the mammoth spending measure late Monday night , extra time would be needed to get the final legislation printed and signed by House and Senate officials , then packaged and delivered to Trump ’ s desk .
It was n't clear that Trump would have time to sign the measure by midnight Monday , when current stopgap funding is set to run dry .
Computer glitches with uploading the omnibus legislative text @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday morning , contributing to the timing uncertainty .

President Donald Trump signed into a seven-day stopgap funding measure Monday night that was designed to avoid the risk of a government shutdown over Christmas.
The Senate, on a voice vote, had cleared the continuing resolution to extend current funding for a week, even though Congress was in the process of passing a mammoth spending measure funding all federal agencies through next September, along with nearly $900 billion in coronavirus relief.
The spending Band-Aid Trump signed gives Congress extra time to process the 5,593-page omnibus without any shutdown risk. The House had approved the stopgap earlier Monday as part of a procedural rule on the omnibus measure. That rule was approved on a mostly party-line vote of 227-180.
While the omnibus measure cleared Congress late Monday night, extra time would be needed to get the final legislation printed and signed by House and Senate officials, then packaged and delivered to Trump’s desk. It wasn't clear that Trump would have had time to sign that voluminous measure by midnight Monday, when the most recent stopgap funding was set to run dry.
Computer glitches with uploading the omnibus legislative text files also delayed the bill's release Monday morning, contributing to the timing uncertainty.


rollcall--2020-12-21--Coronavirus relief package includes broadband money for low-income, jobless

The $ 900 billion coronavirus relief package announced late Sunday contains $ 7 billion for broadband , including funding for those struggling to afford internet access and for service providers to remove and replace telecommunications equipment manufactured by Chinese companies labeled national security threats .
The deal includes $ 3.2 billion for the Federal Communications Commission to provide a new emergency broadband benefit of $ 50 per month to low-income families and recently laid-off or furloughed workers .
The provision is based on legislation by Sen. Ron Wyden , D-Ore. , and Rep. Marc Veasey , D-Texas .
Details were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and information from House Minority Whip Steve Scalise ’ s office .
“ Broadband connections are essential for Americans seeking to get new jobs , and to access school , health care and other government services , ” Wyden said in a statement .
“ Ensuring working families can stay online will pay massive dividends for kids ' education , helping people find jobs and jump starting the economic recovery next year.
” Advocates called the provision a historic achievement that could help tens of millions of Americans bridge what has become known @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The $900 billion coronavirus relief package announced late Sunday contains $7 billion for broadband, including funding for those struggling to afford internet access and for service providers to remove and replace telecommunications equipment manufactured by Chinese companies labeled national security threats.
The deal includes $3.2 billion for the Federal Communications Commission to provide a new emergency broadband benefit of $50 per month to low-income families and recently laid-off or furloughed workers. The provision is based on legislation by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas.
Details were provided as part of a Democratic summary and information from House Minority Whip Steve Scalise’s office.
“Broadband connections are essential for Americans seeking to get new jobs, and to access school, health care and other government services,” Wyden said in a statement. “Ensuring working families can stay online will pay massive dividends for kids' education, helping people find jobs and jump starting the economic recovery next year.”
Advocates called the provision a historic achievement that could help tens of millions of Americans bridge what has become known as the “digital divide.”


rollcall--2020-12-21--Robert E. Lee’s statue removed from the Capitol

The statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee is no longer on display in the Capitol ’ s collection .
The statue , donated by the state of Virginia and located in the Capitol ’ s crypt in Washington , was taken out in the early hours of Monday morning .
He is expected to be replaced with a statue of Barbara Johns , who in 1951 led her Farmville , Virginia , classmates in a student strike protesting unequal education .
Sen. Tim Kaine posted a video Monday morning of the bronze Lee likeness being hoisted off his pedestal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at about 4 a.m. by Capitol workers .
The stone pedestal he had been standing on was then loaded up and carted off as well .
All that remained was a discolored square where the pedestal had been .
Kaine was joined by Rep. Jennifer Wexton , a fellow Virginia Democrat , to watch the statue be removed .
Wexton called it “ a historic and long-overdue moment for our Commonwealth.
” Virginia provided the Lee statue , created by Virginia artist Edward V. Valentine , to the National Statuary Hall Collection in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each state to the collection , which had included 11 Confederates this summer .

The statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee is no longer on display in the Capitol’s collection.
The statue, donated by the state of Virginia and located in the Capitol’s crypt in Washington, was taken out in the early hours of Monday morning. He is expected to be replaced with a statue of Barbara Johns, who in 1951 led her Farmville, Virginia, classmates in a student strike protesting unequal education.
Sen. Tim Kaine posted a video Monday morning of the bronze Lee likeness being hoisted off his pedestal with chains and lowered to the ground at about 4 a.m. by Capitol workers. The stone pedestal he had been standing on was then loaded up and carted off as well. All that remained was a discolored square where the pedestal had been.
Kaine was joined by Rep. Jennifer Wexton, a fellow Virginia Democrat, to watch the statue be removed. Wexton called it “a historic and long-overdue moment for our Commonwealth.”
Virginia provided the Lee statue, created by Virginia artist Edward V. Valentine, to the National Statuary Hall Collection in 1909. Two statues are donated from each state to the collection, which had included 11 Confederates this summer.


rollcall--2020-12-21--Why some health care workers may be wary of COVID-19 vaccine

Once government and industry leaders overcome the massive logistical barriers in delivering COVID-19 vaccines to long-term care facilities , they @ @ @ @ @ — encouraging staff to take them .
Estimates attribute around 40 percent of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ homes , where the country ’ s oldest and sickest patients often share rooms .
@ @ @ @ @ in other types of long-term care facilities .
The industry ’ s frontline staff are @ @ @ @ @ which overlaps with polls showing higher hesitancy among minorities .
See the video for CQ @ @ @ @ @ Lauren Clason ’ s breakdown of why certain communities remain wary of a vaccine , @ @ @ @ @ do about it .
[ How progressive groups are pulling Biden ’ s health care @ @ @ @ @

Once government and industry leaders overcome the massive logistical barriers in delivering COVID-19 vaccines to long-term care facilities, they’ll face another hurdle — encouraging staff to take them.
Estimates attribute around 40 percent of the pandemic’s deaths to nursing homes, where the country’s oldest and sickest patients often share rooms. That does not include deaths in other types of long-term care facilities. The industry’s frontline staff are disproportionately people of color, which overlaps with polls showing higher hesitancy among minorities.
See the video for CQ Roll Call health care reporter Lauren Clason’s breakdown of why certain communities remain wary of a vaccine, and what government officials can do about it.
[ How progressive groups are pulling Biden’s health care team to the left ]


rollcall--2020-12-22--Photos of the year: 2020 as seen by Tom Williams

Starting off with an impeachment trial was a sign this would not be an average election year .
Among the @ @ @ @ @ were the lying in state of civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis , D-Ga. , @ @ @ @ @ ) of an administration change and the defiance ( for others ) of wanting to @ @ @ @ @ stay in place .
The highlights below were just a few moments that encapsulate the @ @ @ @ @ the midst of the social and political discord that was 2020 .
Editor 's Note @ @ @ @ @ D.C.-based photojournalist with CQ Roll Call .
This is the continuation of a series where @ @ @ @ @ most iconic images of the year 2020 .
Follow him on Twitter here .

Starting off with an impeachment trial was a sign this would not be an average election year. Among the other noteworthy developments this year were the lying in state of civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., the elation (for some) of an administration change and the defiance (for others) of wanting to see the current power structure stay in place.
The highlights below were just a few moments that encapsulate the diverse perspectives of Americans in the midst of the social and political discord that was 2020.
Editor's Note: Tom Williams is a D.C.-based photojournalist with CQ Roll Call. This is the continuation of a series where our photo staff shares their most iconic images of the year 2020. Follow him on Twitter here.
JANUARY 23: Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg speaks to the U.S Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting in Washington. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
JANUARY 29: Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., arrives in the Capitol for President Donald Trump's impeachment trial. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
FEBRUARY 3: Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, boards the Senate subway as reporters follow after the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump adjourned for the day. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
FEBRUARY 4: Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. is reflected in the teleprompter during President Donald Trump's State of the Union address in the House chamber. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
MARCH 4: Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., shows off his hand sanitizer — that he carries as a precaution to the coronavirus outbreak — to Reps. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., and Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., on the Rayburn subway. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
MARCH 24: A customer wears a face mask due to the coronavirus pandemic while waiting for his takeout order at Kelly's Irish Times on Capitol Hill. Bars and restaurants were limited to offering takeout orders only during the early days of the pandemic. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
APRIL 1: Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., reminds photographers to practice social distancing after her television interview in the Russell Senate Office Building. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
APRIL 29: A skeleton with a face mask and Nationals hat rides in the passenger seat of a 1975 Buick Electra 225 on Florida Avenue Northeast during the coronavirus pandemic in Washington. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
JULY 27: The hearse carrying the late Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., pauses on Black Lives Matter Plaza on 16th Street Northwest during the procession to the Capitol for his memorial service. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
AUGUST 20: Democratic delegates, from left, Tia Hopkins, Reese Espy Glassman and Herb Smith pop champagne at their watch party in Columbia, Md., as Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden takes the stage on the last night of the virtual Democratic National Convention. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
AUGUST 28: Poetry Pole, of Baltimore, holds an African American flag in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as thousands rallied on the National Mall for the 57th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
SEPTEMBER 25: Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden leaves the Capitol after the memorial service for the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
OCTOBER 13: Supreme Court justice nominee Amy Coney Barrett holds up her notepad at the request of Sen. John Cornyn on the second day of her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing in the Hart Senate Office Building. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
OCTOBER 31: Aides take photos of Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., and supporters during her campaign event at J.D.'s on the Lake in Canton, Ga. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
NOVEMBER 3: Georgia Tech women's basketball player Eylia Love holds a voting sign outside of McCamish Pavilion which served as a polling place on Election Day in Atlanta. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
NOVEMBER 7: Najee Thompson celebrates on 14th Street Northwest after Joe Biden was projected to become the 46th president of the United States. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
NOVEMBER 7: Leslie Luna, left, and friends sit near the Lincoln Memorial to watch President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris deliver remarks after the election was called for the Biden-Harris ticket. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
NOVEMBER 17: Sen.-elect Roger Marshall, R-Kan., carries belongings through the Cannon tunnel while moving from his House office to his temporary office space in the Senate. Marshall won the election to fill the seat of retiring Sen. Pat Roberts. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
NOVEMBER 19: Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani conducts a news conference at the Republican National Committee on lawsuits regarding the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)