Author Archive

Jennifer Shutt

News

Congress left D.C. with little done, they’ll be back Nov. 12 to give it another try

The legislative branch remains on recess until after the election, but a robust slate of congressional action remains, from must-past bills and appropriations to Hurricane Helene response.

News

How long will it take for Congress to act on emergency aid for Helene victims?

Some lawmakers are calling on Congress to return to D.C. to pass supplemental funding for Hurricane Helene response and recovery efforts.

Management

Shutdown deadline nearing as House stumbles on stopgap spending bill

With just one week left in the session before Congress departs for a six-week election break, there’s not much time for leaders to find consensus, draft a bill, hold votes in both chambers and secure President Joe Biden’s signature.

Management

'Gross negligence': Shortages in USDA food aid for Native Americans blasted in Congress

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole said the USDA had failed in its duty to provide “critical food assistance for tribal members and vulnerable senior citizens” for months.

Management

Additional security will be in place for the Jan. 6, 2025 certification of the presidential vote

Almost four years after the assault on the Capitol, Homeland Security Department officials will designate the congressional certification of the 2024 election a National Special Security Event.

News

U.S. House speaker withdraws spending bill that would require ID to register to vote

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., walked back a plan to fund the federal government for six months Wednesday after Democrats and some Republicans balked at the proposal.

Management

FDA greenlights a new COVID vaccine after a summer of rising numbers of cases

While the death rate from COVID-19 steadily decreased during the first half of the year, it began ticking up slightly in June, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Management

USDA to take ‘additional step’ in testing beef from former dairy cattle for bird flu

The undersecretary for food safety at the USDA said Tuesday that the new testing program follows three studies undertaken during the spring and summer that all found beef in the nation’s food supply is safe to eat.

Defense

More than 1 million veterans receiving benefits via PACT Act ahead of anniversary

Since the law – known as the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act or the PACT Act – took effect nearly two years ago, the VA says that 739,421 veterans have enrolled in its health care programs.

News

Walz’s U.S. House tenure: Bipartisan bills and a focus on vets and farms

The Democratic running mate has an extensive record on Capitol Hill as an effective lawmaker who was largely bipartisan.

News

Congress limps toward the end of a disappointing session, with just 78 laws to show

A divided Congress has shepherded fewer bills to the president this session, often fostering little consensus in 2024, and things don't look to improve during election season.

News

House leaders name members of Trump assassination attempt task force

House leaders announced a bipartisan 13-member task force to investigate the July 13 assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump.

News

Biden tests positive for COVID and will return home to Delaware

The president's doctor said his symptoms were currently "mild." Biden was last diagnosed with COVID-19 in July 2022.

News

Biden says ‘no place for this kind of violence in America’ after shooting at Trump rally

Vice President Kamala Harris also issued a statement saying she and the second gentleman were praying for Trump and his family.

News

Scientists argue over the origins of COVID-19 before Senate panel

Microbiology and biodefense experts continued to wrangle over whether COVID-19 emerged from a laboratory leak or was passed to humans through exposure from another animal.

Oversight

Fauci defends his work on COVID-19, says he has an ‘open mind’ on its origins

The former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases explained to members of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic why guidance shifted so much during the first several months of the pandemic.

Management

Biden to announce 1 million claims granted for VA benefits under toxic exposure law

The law has also led to more than 145,000 people enrolling in health care provided by the Veterans Affairs Department.

News

‘It’s up to Mike Johnson’: Marjorie Taylor Greene again stalls vote on ousting the House speaker

Any vote to remove Johnson is likely to fail, since House Democratic leaders announced last month they would support keeping him as speaker.

Management

Maryland delegation to launch bipartisan push for funds to rebuild collapsed Baltimore bridge

A pending bill would allow the state to avoid incurring 10% of the costs of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Pay & Benefits

Veterans Affairs expands IVF access to unmarried and same-sex veterans

Up to now, the VA has only provided IVF care for married veterans who were able to use their own eggs or sperm during the process, but the new announcement allows veterans to use donor eggs, sperm and embryos.