Live politics updates: Workers tell Biden about their ‘everyday struggle’ during COVID
USA TODAY’s coverage of the 2020 election and President-elect Joe Biden’s transition continues this week as he rolls out his picks for top jobs in his administration and states continue to certify their vote counts.
President Donald Trump has cleared the way for Biden’s team to use federal resources and get briefings during the transition, although Trump has yet to formally concede the race.
Be sure to refresh this page often to get the latest information on the election and the transition.
White House press secretary’s husband attends press briefing without mask
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany’s husband, Sean Gilmartin, attended a White House press briefing on Wednesday without donning a mask, and reportedly declined to cover his face after being asked to do so by a member of the press.
As McEnany briefed reporters for nearly 30-minutes, Gilmartin can be seen standing in the back of the room without a mask on.
Gilmartin was approached by New York Times photographer Doug Mills, who had “politely” noted to Gilmartin that face coverings are required in press areas.
The pool journalist covering the event for several media outlets then reported “a White House staffer who was with Gilmartin said incredulously, ‘Kayleigh’s husband?’”
Competing COVID-19 relief proposals introduced as Congress sprints to pass aid
Republicans, meanwhile, have ruled out bills veering in the trillions as non-starters and have eyed smaller packages closer to $500 billion. On Wednesday, Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, signaled the chamber might combine the proposal with another Republicans have worked on with the White House. He applauded both sides being willing to relent on demands in order to get a bill across the finish line.
“They’ve gotten reasonable and I think that would help us get to a solution,” said Thune, R-S.D., of Democrats.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said on a reporter call earlier Wednesday that he and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have been talking about a potential deal and hope to have something accomplished by the end of the week with hopes to have a bill ready for a vote by Wednesday or Thursday next week.
Hoyer admitted the timeline was “optimistic,” especially after months of bickering, but acknowledged the House was only in session for about 10 more days and said there was an urgent need to pass relief as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to mount.
The bipartisan proposal backed by Democratic leaders includes, among other provisions:
- $160 billion for state, local and tribal governments
- $180 billion for a federal boost in unemployment insurance, coming out to $300 a week
- $288 billion for small businesses, including a reauthorization of the Paycheck Protection Program
- $45 billion for transportation
- $10 billion for the U.S. Postal Service
- Short-term federal protection from coronavirus-related lawsuits
– Christal Hayes
President-elect Biden to discuss economic crisis with workers and small-business owners
President-elect Joe Biden plans to meet online Wednesday with workers and small-business owners to discuss the economic crisis, as part of his preparations for taking office.
Biden highlighted the need for more federal stimulus spending Tuesday while introducing his economics team, including his choices to lead the Treasury Department and the White House Office of Management and Budget. Biden said a “robust” package is needed “now,” but that it would be “just a start.”
The prospects of Congress approving more spending before Biden takes office Jan. 20 – during the so-called “lame duck” session – are uncertain because of differences between how much Democrats and Republicans want to spend and on what.
A bipartisan group of senators proposed a $900 billion package Tuesday. Provisions include funding for local governments and an extension of federal unemployment benefits that Democrats have sought, combined with extending a lending program to keep small businesses afloat that Republicans sought.
But Biden, a former vice president and senator, said whether that package is approved or not, more spending would be needed early next year. He also urged development of federal regulations to guide businesses and schools about how to reopen safely.
frontline medical workers about ‘skyrocketing’ cases of coronavirus, with congressional Democratic leaders about the prospects for more emergency stimulus spending and with leaders of national unions and corporations.