ROY BLUNT

Biden has forcefully urged the world to cut down on fossil fuels. But as gas prices jump and Republicans seize on inflation, he is pushing to temporarily boost the oil supply.

Former conservative Republican U.S. Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri has died.

Republicans are stepping up efforts to derail Biden's domestic agenda, and ensuring political brinksmanship over the debt ceiling will heighten.

A U.S. Senate candidate in Missouri, Republican state Attorney General Eric Schmitt, is flexing the power of his office by filing a slew of lawsuits, including against Democratic cities and schools to stop mask mandates.

An innovative program to help people with mental health and substance abuse problems is being primed for a major expansion as the COVID-19 pandemic deepens struggles with drug use, depression and anxiety for many Americans.

His hand-wringing over the national debt is highly partisan and not serious. | Editorial

Democrats are renewing their push to enact their marquee elections bill.

Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran said there is too much spending and debt in the package, which senators are expected to pass on Tuesday.

The Senate has voted to award Congressional Gold Medals to the Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department for protecting Congress during the Jan. 6 insurrection, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden for his signature.

Senators negotiating two colossal bills that would deliver more than $4 trillion for infrastructure, health care, environment and other initiatives keep insisting both bills will be fully paid for.

Former Missouri governor Eric Greitens, forced from office in 2018, has hired several Trump associates for his campaign and has falsely suggested Trump could replace Biden before the next presidential election.

Senate Republicans have rejected an effort to begin debate on a bipartisan infrastructure deal that senators brokered with President Joe Biden.

"Republicans cannot be allowed to delay progress any longer," Elizabeth Warren told Insider, saying Democrats have "kept the door open" for months.

Low vaccination rates are driving COVID-19 case rates back up in parts of Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and Nevada.

The Iranian government has expressed anger over the appearance of senior European and U.S. politicians at a rally in support of an opposition group that has long sought to overthrow Iran’s theocratic rulers.

In Missouri, country voters apparently count more than city ones.

The debate over bipartisanship is coming to a head as a summer legislative flurry intensifies in Congress.

The donor class should go for some Roy Blunt quid pro quo on the Jan. 6 commission and the Senate filibuster, says Joe Manchin.

Not all Senate Democrats are up for Joe Biden's planned social programs or the methods to finance them, and Republicans hope to split the difference.

The Senate will take a key vote next week on a sweeping rewrite of voting and election law, setting up a dramatic test of Democratic unity on a top priority that Republicans are vowing to block.

A new poll showed that Biden's $4 trillion sweeping infrastructure plan drew two-thirds support among voters. Republicans are pushing to cut its size.

A Senate report examining security failures surrounding the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol blames missed intelligence, poor planning and multiple layers of bureaucracy for the deadly siege.

Asked about what surprised them the most in learning about the investigation, Democrat Senator Gary Peters said it was "the intelligence failure."

A Senate investigation of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol has found a broad intelligence breakdown across multiple agencies, along with widespread law enforcement and military failures.

The bipartisan Senate report doesn’t include an investigation into former President Donald Trump’s actions on Jan. 6.

The bipartisan Senate report doesn’t include an investigation into former President Donald Trump’s actions on Jan. 6.

The bipartisan Senate report doesn’t include an investigation into former President Donald Trump’s actions on Jan. 6.

President Joe Biden is trying to break a logjam with Republicans on how to pay for infrastructure.

We understand why he couldn’t look Gladys Sicknick in the eye.

President Joe Biden met for nearly an hour Wednesday with the top Republican negotiator on infrastructure, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.

President Joe Biden is set to meet with the top Republican negotiator on infrastructure, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.

Republican senators praising Biden on infrastructure talks may have ulterior motives

Eleven senators missed the high-stakes Senate procedural vote Friday on legislation to form a bipartisan Jan. 6 commission to investigate the Capitol attack. The vote was initially anticipated for Thursday, but when it got bumped to the Friday before the long Memorial Day weekend, several senators opted to maintain their travel plans and left Washington before casting their vote. Patty Murray of Washington and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona – missed the Friday vote that started around 11:30 a.m. And nine Republicans were also absent from the chamber:  Sens.

Investigating the insurrection at the Capitol demands real leadership. History is watching.

The House has voted to create an independent commission on the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, sending the legislation to an uncertain future in the Senate as Republican leaders work to stop a bipartisan investigation that is opposed by former President Donald Trump.

After meeting at the White House, President Joe Biden and a group of Republican senators have agreed to talk again early next week as negotiations on an infrastructure plan are intensifying.

How do you spend more than $43 on a single Royals ticket that sells for $14? That’s the math.

A judge has denied a defense request to return to a grand jury the case against a St. Louis couple accused of waving guns at racial injustice protesters last year.

Rarely has a routine water resources bill generated so much political buzz.

If President Joe Biden gets his way, the United States is going to be spending an enormous sum on infrastructure.

If President Joe Biden gets his way, the United States is going to be spending an enormous sum on infrastructure.

President Joe Biden is promoting his $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan directly to Americans with an appeal to think big.

With an appeal to think big, President Joe Biden is promoting his $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan directly to Americans.

The Labor Department reported Friday that nonfarm payrolls increased by 916,000 in March, the highest since August 2020

Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri on Sunday urged the Biden administration to cut the $2 trillion infrastructure plan to roughly $615 billion.

Lawmakers are trying to balance openness with safety after Friday’s attack within steps of the Capitol.

The latest deadly breach of the Capitol’s perimeter on Friday could delay the gradual reopening of the building’s grounds to the public just as lawmakers were eyeing a return to more normal security measures after the Jan. 6 riot.

National Guard troops were delayed in getting to the building as the rioters beat up police officers and smashed through windows and doors to get in. On Thursday, seven House committees asked 10 federal agencies for documents and communications from the government as part of a wide-ranging investigation. The Senate Homeland and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Senate Rules Committee have already held two hearings with security officials about what went wrong. The security officials described violent attacks on overwhelmed police officers and desperate pleas for backup. As the committees investigate, Capitol officials are improving the building's physical security, including reinforcing the House doors that the rioters attempted to breach.

FILE - In this Aug. 6, 2020 file photo, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt speaks during a news conference in St. Louis. – Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt on Wednesday announced he's making a bid to replace Roy Blunt in the Senate, setting up a Republican primary against disgraced former Gov. Voters first elected Schmitt to the state Senate in 2008 to represent a suburban St. Louis district. He was elected state treasurer in 2016, then took over as the state attorney general after Josh Hawley vacated the seat to join the U.S. Senate in 2019. He won another term as attorney general in 2020.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has pushed for the commission, which would be modeled after the panel that investigated the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington. “The problem is the scope,” Pelosi said Wednesday. But Republicans swiftly decried the broad latitude that the commission would have to investigate the causes of the insurrection. Senate Republicans cast doubt that there was enough support for the commission. 2 Republican, said he doesn’t think the commission will happen if the legislation isn’t changed.

The race to replace Missouri Senator Roy Blunt Missouri Republican Senator Roy Blunt announced this week that he would not seek reelection in 2022. Jay Rosenbaum, a politics correspondent for St. Louis Public Radio, joins CBSN's "Red & Blue" anchor Elaine Quijano to discuss the implications of the race to fill his seat.

Greitens' political future seemed doomed by scandal when he resigned as Missouri governor. – O'Eric Greitens' political future seemed doomed by scandal when he resigned as Missouri governor. Also like Trump, Greitens defeated establishment Republicans in the primary before winning in November. Many see Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft as the early favorite to win Blunt's seat, if Ashcroft opts to run. But Missouri Republican Party Treasurer Pat Thomas said Greitens retains “a definite following” among state Republicans.

But officials in both parties agree that the surge of GOP departures will make the Republicans' challenge more difficult in the Senate. Several Missouri Republicans are expected to seek the nomination to replace Blunt, but none will be more divisive than former Gov. Ahead of Greitens' announcement, some Republicans worried that he could jeopardize the Senate seat if he emerges as the party's nominee. The former president won by the same margin in Iowa, where 87-year-old Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley is considering retirement. AdMeanwhile, Blunt predicted political success for Republicans in Missouri and beyond during a Monday news conference.

Washington — Republican Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri announced Monday he won't seek reelection in 2022, becoming the fifth GOP senator to say he will retire after next year's midterm elections. 4 member of GOP Senate leadership as chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, and was widely expected to seek reelection in 2022. Senators Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Richard Shelby of Alabama, Rob Portman of Ohio and Richard Burr of North Carolina have all said they will decline to seek reelection for their seats. In February, Grassley said he expects to make a decision about whether he'll seek reelection "sometime in September, October or November" of this year. Blunt won reelection by less than three points in 2016, and GOP Senator Josh Hawley defeated incumbent Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill by six points two years later.

Sen. Blunt says he will not seek a third term in the U.S. Senate. – Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri said Monday he will not seek reelection, making him the fifth Republican in the Senate to bow out rather than seek another term in a party searching for direction after President Donald Trump. The five Senate Republicans not seeking reelection could set up contested primaries highlighting divisions between far-right, Trump-aligned Republicans and the old guard of the party. After incumbent Republican Sen. “Senate Republicans have a retirement problem,” Christie Roberts, executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said in a statement.

Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri said Monday that he will not seek reelection in 2022. "The NRSC will work tirelessly to ensure Senator Blunt's successor will uphold his legacy of free enterprise and small government." Blunt is the top Republican on the Senate Rules Committee and the chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee. "Sen. Blunt has tackled so much important work for Missouri and our country and has been an enormous asset to all his colleagues. Multiple Democrats have already announced their campaigns for Blunt's seat in 2022.

Over a decade of "Face the Nation" transcripts are available online:2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020Looking for extended transcripts of our 2020 campaign interviews? And for the latest from "Face the Nation," bookmark our homepage and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. February 28, 2021Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesDirector, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Ronna McDaniel, Republican National Committee ChairwomanRepublican National Committee Chairwoman Gov. Deborah Birx, M.D., Former White House Coronavirus Response CoordinatorJanuary 17, 2021Rep. Adam Schiff, D- California, Intelligence Committee ChairmanD- California, Intelligence Committee Chairman Gov. Jim Justice, R-West VirginiaR-West Virginia Mayor Melvin Carter, D-Saint Paul, MND-Saint Paul, MN Rochelle Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., Incoming CDC DirectorIncoming CDC Director Dr. Scott Gottlieb, Former FDA CommissionerJanuary 10, 2021Chris Krebs, former CISA Directorformer CISA Director Sen. Roy Blunt, R-MOR-MO Sen. Chris Coons, D-DED-DE Mayor Muriel Bowser, D-Washington, D.C.D-Washington, D.C. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, Former FDA CommissionerJanuary 3, 2021

The Republican Party still belongs to Donald Trump. The GOP privately flirted with purging the norm-shattering former president after he incited a deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol last month. Ad“There’s no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day,” McConnell said Saturday, after Trump, the only president to be impeached twice, was acquitted on a 57-43 vote. McConnell had remained loyal to Trump during nearly all of his four years in office, when the pair were the two most powerful members of the Republican Party. In his statement, Trump criticized McConnell for failing to do more to back his unfounded claims of election fraud.

Two Senate committees have summoned top security officials to testify, the beginning of a comprehensive look at what went wrong. In her letter to Democratic colleagues, Pelosi said the House will also put forth supplemental spending to boost security at the Capitol. The hearing will begin a broad examination of the security failures that led to the breach. The security breakdown on Jan. 6, as the House and Senate met for a joint session to count electoral votes, was severe. With the diminished security presence, the rioters not only breached the Capitol but entered the Senate chamber minutes after senators had fled.

Not Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson. Bishop criticized fellow Republicans like Johnson who parroted claims of illegal election activity, even as he remains a Johnson backer. A number of Republicans are eyeing a run for either Senate or governor, depending on what Johnson does. Potential Republican Senate candidates include U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, former U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy and Kevin Nicholson, who lost a 2018 Republican Senate primary. Mandela Barnes, the state’s first Black lieutenant governor, state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski and state Sen. Chris Larson of Milwaukee.

The inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden will come exactly two weeks after an angry pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol. "CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell spoke exclusively with the senators in charge of the inauguration, Republican Roy Blunt of Missouri and Democrat Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. Senator Blunt, let me ask you: Is there any doubt in your mind that there will be a peaceful transfer of power? A view from the lectern at the U.S. Capitol during preparations for the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. CBS NewsThis is what President Joe Biden will see when he address the nation.

CBS News exclusive: Senators in charge of inauguration on security and riot aftermath Senators Amy Klobuchar and Roy Blunt join "CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell to discuss the importance of a peaceful transfer of power.

The GOP already faces a difficult Senate map in 2022, when 14 Democratic-held seats and 20 Republican ones will be on the ballot. That includes at least two open seats that Republicans will be defending because of the retirements of GOP Sens. One of those lawmakers, Florida Sen. Rick Scott, is the new chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, a post that makes him the public face of the Senate Republican fundraising efforts. But two senior Republican strategists involved in Senate races say the cumulative effect of the companies' decisions could have a bigger impact. That puts more pressure on the NRSC and the leading Senate Republican outside group, Senate Leadership Fund, to cover the difference.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced Thursday that Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem at President-elect Joe Biden's and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris' inauguration on Wednesday, January 20. Jennifer Lopez will also perform during the 59th inaugural swearing-in ceremony. In addition to the daytime inauguration event, there will also be a primetime special called "Celebrating America," PIC announced. Usually, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) would distribute 200,000 tickets for the official inaugural ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol. However, due to health risks during the coronavirus pandemic, invitations will be limited to members of Congress and one guest.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is calling for congressional action to rein in President Donald Trump after inciting last week's deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol. Trump faces a single charge -- “incitement of insurrection” — after the deadly Capitol riot in an impeachment resolution that the House will begin debating Wednesday. “President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government,” reads the four-page impeachment bill. Their Democrats' House resolution was blocked by Republicans. But House Republicans are split and a few may vote to impeach.

On this "Face the Nation" broadcast moderated by Margaret Brennan:Chris Krebs, former CISA Directorformer CISA Director Sen. Roy Blunt, R-MOR-MO Sen. Chris Coons, D-DED-DE Mayor Muriel Bowser, D-Washington, D.C.D-Washington, D.C. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, Former FDA CommissionerClick here to browse full transcripts of "Face the Nation." President Trump remains at the White House, and there is apprehension about what he might do next. He and I formed the Law Enforcement Caucus when we came to the--MARGARET BRENNAN: Right. MARGARET BRENNAN: Right, but your fellow Missouri Senator Josh Hawley was on the other side of that. That's when--MARGARET BRENNAN: That's right.

The following is a transcript of an interview with Missouri Senator Roy Blunt that aired Sunday, January 10, 2021, on "Face the Nation." SENATOR ROY BLUNT: Good morning, MARGARET. MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator, we have received sad news this morning from Capitol Hill Police that another officer has died. Now I did- the day Senator Hawley announced he'd be contesting those electoral votes, announced that I would not be. That's when--MARGARET BRENNAN: That's right.

Blunt says there's "no possibility" of removing Trump from office Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri says the president should "be very careful" in the last 10 days of his term.

Trump cites Capitol Police Officers Brian D. Sicknick and Howard Liebengood. ___4 p.m.Citigroup is pausing all federal political donations for the first three months of the year in light of Wednesday’s deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had already ordered flags at the Capitol lowered to half-staff in Sicknick’s honor and calls were growing for President Donald Trump to do the same at the White House. Trump supporters who were angry over his loss to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden stormed the Capitol on Wednesday. Toomey was interviewed Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” and NBC’s “Meet the Press.”___12:15 a.m.President Donald Trump is facing growing Democratic momentum to impeach him a second time.

"Face the Nation" Guest Lineup:Chris Krebs, former CISA Directorformer CISA Director Sen. Roy Blunt, R-MOR-MO Sen. Chris Coons, D-DED-DE Mayor Muriel Bowser, D-Washington, D.C.D-Washington, D.C. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, Former FDA CommissionerHow to watch "Face the Nation"Date: Sunday, January 10, 2020TV: "Face the Nation" airs Sunday mornings on CBS. Click here for your local listingsRadio: Subscribe to "Face the Nation" from CBS Radio News to listen on-the-goFree online stream: Watch the show on CBS' streaming network CBSN at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. With the latest news and analysis from Washington, don't miss Margaret Brennan (@margbrennan) this Sunday on "Face the Nation" (@FaceTheNation). And for the latest from America's premier public affairs program, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Similar structures have previously been used around the White House and in other cities that faced prolonged demonstrations. “The safety and security of all those participating in the 59th Presidential Inauguration is of the utmost importance,” the Secret Service said in a statement. A Trump rally in front of the White House helped rile up the mob that later stormed the Capitol. The inaugural committee said Biden would receive an official escort, with representatives from every military branch, for a block before arriving at the White House from the Capitol. Trump may not invite Biden to the White House while forgoing the inauguration, which Bendat said would amount to “an assault on our democracy” akin to the mob violence at the Capitol.

Of the more than 50 lawsuits the president and his allies have filed challenging election results, nearly all have been dismissed or dropped. Other prominent former officials also criticized the ongoing attack on election results. Cruz's coalition of 11 Republican senators vows to reject the Electoral College tallies unless Congress launches a commission to immediately conduct an audit of the election results. The convening of the joint session to count the Electoral College votes has faced objections before. States choose their own election officials and draft their election laws.

“We should not adjourn until the Senate holds a vote,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said as he made a motion to push it toward a vote. McConnell, who has said little publicly on Trump’s request, objected but gave almost no indication of his plans ahead. Congress had settled on smaller $600 payments in a compromise over the big year-end relief bill Trump reluctantly signed into law. Loeffler said in an interview on Fox that she, too, backs the boosted relief checks. Most House Republicans simply shrugged off Trump’s push, 130 of them voting to reject the higher checks that would add $467 billion in additional costs.

That's the message from the congressional committee organizing inauguration ceremonies for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Despite this week’s rollout of the new vaccine, its availability to the general public is still months away. Biden's own inaugural committee, which works with the congressional committee, had already asked supporters to stay away from Washington and plan safe inaugural celebrations at home. Features of that convention, such as the virtual roll call from every state, may be incorporated into a virtual inauguration experience. Blunt said planners were developing "enhanced opportunities to watch the ceremonies online, in addition to the traditional televised national broadcast.”

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

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell asked Senate Republicans not to object to the election results when Congress convenes on January 6 to count the electoral votes, two sources familiar with the situation told CBS News. One source said that on a call with Republican senators, McConnell, Senate Majority Whip John Thune and Senate Republican Conference Vice Chairman Senator Roy Blunt urged them not to object to the election results during the joint session. But an objection only carries weight if it's signed by both a member of the House and Senate. Both Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden are spending some time campaigning in the Peach State. Mnuchin and the top leaders of the House and Senate from both parties are meeting at 4 p.m.

He said Monday’s Electoral College vote “was significant.”Texas GOP Sen. John Cornyn said barring further legal challenges it appears Biden will be president. Some GOP lawmakers have vowed to carry the fight to Jan. 6 when Congress votes to accept or reject the Electoral College results. Others have said Trump's legal battles should continue toward resolution by inauguration day, Jan. 20. "Once the Electoral College has voted, most people are going to recognize Joe Biden as the president-elect." "Although I supported President Trump, the Electoral College vote today makes clear that Joe Biden is now President-Elect,” said Sen.

He said Monday’s Electoral College vote “was significant.”Texas GOP Sen. John Cornyn said barring further legal challenges it appears Biden will be president. Others have said Trump's legal battles should continue toward resolution by inauguration day, Jan. 20. "Once the Electoral College has voted, most people are going to recognize Joe Biden as the president-elect." "Although I supported President Trump, the Electoral College vote today makes clear that Joe Biden is now President-Elect,” said Sen. Many Republicans are unwilling to declare Biden the winner for the same reasons they avoided standing up to Trump during his presidency.

President-elect Joe Biden speaks during an event at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Del., Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, to announce his health care team. Next week’s Dec. 14 Electoral College deadline may produce just a few more congratulatory GOP calls to Biden. Increasingly, GOP lawmakers say the Jan. 6 vote in Congress to accept the Electoral College outcome may be when the presidential winner becomes official. They're relying on Trump voters to power the Georgia runoff elections Jan. 5 that will determine control of the Senate. Until then, his group is trying to push Georgia's Trump voters to the polls, even as the president disputes Biden's win of the state.

WASHINGTON – The Latest on President-elect Joe Biden (all times local):4:20 p.m.President-elect Joe Biden is confirming that he will nominate retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin to be secretary of defense. And he wrote that Austin knows that the secretary of defense has a different set of responsibilities than a military officer. ___HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PRESIDENT-ELECT JOE BIDEN'S TRANSITION TO THE WHITE HOUSE:President-elect Joe Biden will nominate retired four-star Army general Lloyd J. Austin to be secretary of defense, according to four people familiar with the decision. Those pledges came even as Biden struck a somber tone about the toll the coronavirus has already taken. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies is being prevented from publicly announcing its plans for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20.

The inaugural platform on the Capitol's West Front is going up just like always, but it probably won't be as crowded. Work to build the inaugural platform at the Capitol and the White House reviewing stand began before the Nov. 3 election, as is traditional. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., who heads the congressional inaugural committee, has been careful not to refute Trump’s baseless claims that he won the election. But Waltz said the congressional inaugural committee staff nonetheless is ready to work with Biden's Presidential Inaugural Committee. Even though plans are still taking shape, Biden's inaugural committee is already raising money for such events as balls and concerts.

The Kentucky Republican made the announcement after President-elect Joe Biden called upon lawmakers to pass a downpayment relief bill now with more to come next year. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi resumed talks with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin about a year-end spending package that could include COVID relief provisions. Lawmakers' bipartisan effort comes after a split-decision election delivered the White House to Democrats and gave Republicans down-ballot success. Pelosi and Mnuchin were discussing COVID relief and other end-of-session items, including a $1.4 trillion catchall government funding bill. Pelosi and Mnuchin grappled over a relief bill for weeks before the November election, discussing legislation of up to $2 trillion.

(Kevin Dietsch/Pool via AP)WASHINGTON – Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, the longest-serving Republican senator and third in the line of presidential succession, said he has tested positive for the coronavirus. Grassley, 87, had announced earlier Tuesday that he was quarantining after being exposed to the virus and was waiting for test results. At least three members of the House have tested positive in the last week, and several more are quarantining. Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida was also absent as he is in quarantine after an exposure. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer also took their masks off when speaking on the Senate floor Monday.

Yet in Congress, where talks over economic relief bills stalled out months ago, lame-duck approval of aid is hardly front-of-mind. “Another Vaccine just announced,” Trump tweeted Monday morning after Moderna announced that its candidate appeared in early testing to be 95% effective against the virus. COVID relief could be an add-on to either bill. “Frankly, our best chance to get some COVID relief might be to get a regular funding bill and put the most critical pieces of COVID relief on that,” said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. Trump has urged supporters to push Whitmer to reopen the state following virus restrictions, though many rules had been lifted previously.

While there is still a chance for a stimulus bill this year, the impasse means a COVID-19 relief package will almost certainly be a top priority for the new administration in early 2021. Advertisement“We need to think about — if we’re going to come up with a bipartisan package here — about what size is appropriate,” McConnell said. Some lawmakers agreed it was time for the Trump administration to step back and leave the negotiations to Congress. The party that just won the White House typically wants to clear the table of problems for the incoming administration. “I have every expectation that the Senate can work with us on getting that package through.

Judge Amy Coney Barrett, U.S. President Donald Trump's Nominee for Supreme Court, gestures during a photo before a meeting with Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo) on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, U.S. October 21, 2020. Senate Republicans on Sunday advanced Judge Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court, clearing one of the final hurdles of the 48-year-old nominee's confirmation process. Murkowski has said that while she opposed the hurried nomination process, she supports Barrett's nomination and will vote to confirm her. Before her nomination to the Supreme Court, Barrett clerked for the influential conservative Justice Antonin Scalia and worked as a professor at Notre Dame Law School. The approval of a Supreme Court nominee with a bare majority is a relatively recent phenomenon.

“It’s totally fake news,” Trump said of the Times report. “There’s no mystery about what’s happening here,” Biden said in remarks delivered in his home state, Delaware. “Obamacare will be replaced with a MUCH better, and FAR cheaper, alternative if it is terminated in the Supreme Court,” Trump, who spent a cloudy Sunday at his Virginia golf property, wrote on Twitter. One reason that the court fight is so highly charged politically is that Trump for months has insisted, without evidence, that mail-in balloting is rife with fraud. ?”Jill Biden, the candidate’s wife, said on CNN’s “State of the Union” that she was unworried about her husband’s debate performance.