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Prescription drug price reform on the line in Biden’s big social spending bill
WASHINGTON — Among the most potentially transformational changes in the Democrats’ massive social and climate bill pending in the Senate are a set of long-sought changes intended to tamp down the fast-rising cost of prescription drugs. The $2 trillion spending package would ensure Americans don’t pay more than $35 when they pick up a new […]
Kansas’ Bob Dole remembered at U.S. Capitol ceremony for public service, sense of humor
WASHINGTON – Former U.S. Sen. Robert J. Dole arrived at the U.S. Capitol for the final time on Thursday, for a Rotunda ceremony in which former colleagues and congressional leaders from both parties honored the life and career of the late Kansas political icon. President Joe Biden and others remembered Dole – who died Sunday […]
U.S. Senate rejects Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for private employers
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate passed a resolution Wednesday night to block President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate on private employers, with every Republican and two Democrats casting votes aimed at preventing that pending requirement. Democratic Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Joe Manchin III of West Virginia joined with the GOP in backing the […]
Montana’s Jon Tester to vote with U.S. Senate GOP to undo Biden vaccine rule
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jon Tester of Montana is one of at least two Democrats who are expected to join every Senate Republican in a vote Wednesday night opposing President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate on private employers. In a written statement late Tuesday, Tester said he’s heard from concerned constituents in his state about that […]
Biden to unveil plan to blunt potential COVID surge this winter
WASHINGTON – Reimbursements for at-home rapid COVID-19 tests. Tougher testing requirements for international travelers. More emergency response teams to aid states combating infection spikes. And another big push to get Americans vaccinated. Those are the latest steps to fight COVID-19 that President Joe Biden will be announcing Thursday, according to senior administration officials who briefed […]
U.S. Supreme Court considers new limits on abortions in Mississippi case
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court is weighing potentially sweeping changes to the right to an abortion, after two hours of arguments Wednesday morning on a Mississippi law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The court’s conservatives, who hold a 6-3 majority, appeared through their questions to be sympathetic to Mississippi’s arguments that […]
Federal vaccine mandate for health care workers in 10 states blocked by judge
WASHINGTON – Enforcement of the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for millions of health care workers was blocked in 10 states on Monday, after a ruling by a federal judge in Missouri. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Matthew Schelp affects the states involved in the lawsuit, which includes New Hampshire. The others are Missouri, Iowa, […]
New COVID omicron variant ‘not a cause for panic,’ Biden says
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden sought to reassure Americans on Monday about the latest COVID-19 variant, describing it as “a cause for concern, not a cause for panic.” Biden did not announce any new travel restrictions or other federal actions during his brief remarks from the White House. Instead, he urged Americans to get a […]
How paid leave could get axed from Biden’s social policy bill
Congressional Democrats, including the New Hampshire’s delegation, cheered on the floor of the U.S. House after approving President Joe Biden’s massive social spending and climate bill. But a major struggle lies ahead in the coming month in the U.S. Senate, where Democrats cannot lose any votes within their party if they are to send the […]
House Democrats pass Biden’s $1.85 trillion ‘Build Back Better’ plan
This story was updated on Nov. 19 at 10:35 a.m. with comments from President Joe Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. WASHINGTON – U.S. House Democrats united around a landmark $1.85 trillion social spending and climate bill on Friday, sending the major plank of President Joe Biden’s economic agenda to the Senate. Democratic leaders […]
Federal judge sides with GOP states challenging limits on tax cuts in pandemic relief law
WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Alabama has ruled in favor of attorneys general in 13 Republican-led states – including New Hampshire – that sued the federal government over a section of a coronavirus relief bill that barred states from using relief money to offset tax cuts. The ruling, which granted a permanent injunction, found […]
Biden signs $1.2T infrastructure bill: ‘America is moving again’
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden on Monday signed into law his $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill during a ceremony at the White House packed with some 800 supporters, heralding what he said was a “truly consequential” spending bill that will improve Americans’ day-to-day lives. But Democrats also emphasized that there is more to come – […]