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U.S. House on bipartisan vote passes bill protecting right to same-sex marriage
The vote stemmed from concern that the U.S. Supreme Court could revisit its 2015 ruling that approved same-sex marriages nationwide.
U.S. Senate panel wrestles with questions about abortions needed to save a patient’s life
Senators sharply disagreed Wednesday over how Congress should respond to confusion among doctors about compliance with state abortion bans
State bans on abortion don’t apply to emergency health care, White House reminds providers
Health care providers are protected if they provide emergency abortion services to save a patient's life or health, the Biden administration says.
Medicare prescription drug negotiation plan advanced by U.S. Senate Democrats
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Democrats have reached a tentative agreement to negotiate the cost of prescription drugs in the Medicare program, the first step in passing a long-stalled package that’s expected to include tax and climate change provisions as well. The deal, brokered between Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin […]
U.S. Supreme Court overturns right to abortion in landmark decision
The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion, the court's majority wrote in an opinion that will lead to new abortion restrictions and bans in multiple states.
Fourth grade survivor of Uvalde shooting tells Congress: ‘I don’t want it to happen again’
WASHINGTON — A fourth grader who survived the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting where 19 students and two teachers were murdered told lawmakers Wednesday that she is afraid to go back to school. “I don’t want it to happen again,” 11-year-old Miah Cerrillo said in a pre-recorded video shown to members of the U.S. House Committee […]
Bipartisan U.S. Senate bill aiding veterans exposed to burn pits edges toward passage
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate is set to approve a sweeping bill in the coming days steered by the bipartisan duo of Montana’s Jon Tester and Kansas’ Jerry Moran that would expand health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits overseas — though a few final details linger. Democrats and Republicans on Capitol […]
Summer hurricanes, wildfires and storms loom as FEMA faces pressure to step up
WASHINGTON — Another grueling summer disaster season is arriving, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency is under intense pressure even as its portfolio balloons, it pleads for more money from Congress and criticism comes on several fronts. The agency manages more than 300 disaster declarations a year, a dramatic increase from the average of 108 […]
Congress, White House scramble to ease baby formula shortage
WASHINGTON — Both the Biden administration and Congress moved Wednesday to try to relieve a national infant formula shortage, as the White House invoked the Defense Production Act and the U.S. House approved $28 million for the Food and Drug Administration. President Joe Biden said he would use the law to address the formula shortage, […]
U.S. House to vote on $28 million for FDA to relieve infant formula shortage
WASHINGTON — Democratic appropriators in the U.S. House unveiled a $28 million emergency spending bill Tuesday intended to address a nationwide infant formula shortage that has left parents and caregivers struggling to find food for babies. The U.S. House is expected to vote this week on the bill, which would provide funding to the U.S. […]
Biden administration looks for ways to alleviate infant formula shortage
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration sought to assuage parents’ concerns over an ongoing infant formula shortage Thursday, though officials couldn’t offer a timeline for when store shelves would be fully stocked again. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the administration is working to “cut red tape,” increase imports of formula and broaden what types […]
U.S. Senate Democrats fail to enshrine nationwide abortion protections, vow more action
WASHINGTON — Efforts to secure the nationwide right to an abortion stalled for a second time Wednesday when U.S. Senate Democrats failed to get enough votes to overcome the legislative filibuster. Republicans, including Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, voted uniformly against limiting debate on the bill while Democrats, save West Virginia’s […]