18:53
The morning summary
White House news secretary Jen Psaki has just been wrapped up. The coronavirus action group performing at 3pm ET. And as we await the awful moment when the U.S. death tax From Covid-19 passing the 500,000 mark, based on data from the Johns Hopkins research center, we note that Joe Biden will speak the country on the subject at 6pm ET today. Then the president and vice-president, Kamala Harris, leading a national minute of silence around 6.15pm to commemorate the lives lost in America in the past year the pandemic.
So a lot more is coming up, keep an eye out. Key events to date include:
- Tonight, Biden order all Americans flags flying at half staff for five days in memory of the Americans lost in the pandemic.
- The nominee for attorney general, Merrick garland, which is at its confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, has promised independent justice department in Biden administration and stressed: “I am not the president’s lawyer“.
- In several conclusions out of the U.S. Supreme Court, the judges refused Donald trumprequest for restraint New york accusers from accessing his tax bills. He clears the way for the documents to be turned into a large jury.
- Voting machine company Voting sovereignty sued today MyPillow Fanatical leader and Trumpian Mike lindell for fame after re-spreading conspiracy theories about their devices and possibly mistakenly giving the November election result Joe applied for the win it was false.
18:35
Jen psaki said Eòs biden “readily” travel to Texas, as the state continues to recover from a winter storm caused by a widespread power outage.
The White House press secretary said the president could travel to Texas “as early as this week”.
Over the weekend, Biden declared a disaster in Texas and has pledged federal resources to help those affected by the storm.
18:23
A White House reporter noted that Barack obama and Donald trump they had already held press conferences by this time in their presidents.
Asking if Eòs biden soon there would be a one-on-one press conference, a press secretary Jen psaki he said yes, but she would not specify when.
Psaki said the president will not hold a one-on-one press conference this week.
18:17
White house press secretary Jen psaki said Eòs biden hopes to introduce a minimum wage increase into the final coronavirus relief package.
“The president would not have introduced a minimum wage increase if he did not want to see it in the final package,” Psaki said.
Psaki noted that the Senate MP will decide whether the minimum wage proposal meets the requirements for renegotiation to be included in the relief bill.
Biden has previously stated that he does not believe the minimum wage increase will be agreed by the Senate parliament.
18:12
Asked a reporter Jen psaki what in particular Eòs biden it would be willing to cut from its $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus aid package.
The White House press secretary said the president would wait to see what the cuts would be Republican recommended before birth.
But Psaki said the Republican Senate’s first offer of a $ 600 billion aid package fell “far, far shorter” of what the country needs to respond to the pandemic.
18:04
Jen psaki was asked about naming Neera tanden to lead the executive and budget office, which is increasingly unlikely to succeed.
A reporter noted that he was a Democrat Joe manchin and Republican Susan hits and Mitt romney have now stated that they will oppose Tanden ‘s nomination, leaving the think tank leader unlikely to have a path to proof.
But Psaki said the White House still believes Tanden could be proven. “We will continue to work in support of her announcement,” the media secretary said.
17:56
Biden for issuing command flags at half staff for coronavirus victims
Eòs bidennews secretary, Jen Psaki, now holds its daily message at the White House.
Psaki noted that Biden will make remarks tonight in honor of nearly 500,000 Americans who have died of coronavirus.
In his remarks, Biden will order all American flags flown at half-staff for five days in memory of Americans lost in the pandemic, Psaki said.
According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, 499,186 Americans have now died of coronavirus.
Updated
17:45
Eòs biden He closed his brief remarks by urging Congress once again to hand over its $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus aid package.
The president acknowledged that some of his opponents have criticized the size of the pack, but Biden argued that every element of the legislation is important to help Americans who are struggling financially because of a pandemic.
The speaker of the house Nancy pelosi has said she wants the room to pass the relief pack before the end of the week. Biden is looking to sign the package by March 14, when extended unemployment benefits are currently coming to an end.
17:38
Biden announces changes to small business loan program
Eòs biden now speaking at the White House to announce changes to the Paycheck Protection Program, a small business loan program created with the first coronavirus relief package.
PPP attracted bipartisan support in Congress, but the program has been criticized for directing money to large rather than small companies, many of which are on the verge of closure due to a pandemic coronavirus infection.
Biden announced that his administration will offer a two-week loan application period to businesses and nonprofits with less than 20 employees, starting Wednesday.
The president said his administration would make sure “every dollar is well spent” in the loan program.
17:25
Surprisingly, the numbers of Merrick garland being certified as a general lawyer looks very good.
At least two Republican on the committee of judges of the Senate, Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Lindsey graham from South Carolina, have stated that they intend to support Garland ‘s nomination.
Bloomberg Quicktake
(@Quicktake)Merrick Garland appears ready for a bipartisan affirmative vote to become Biden’s attorney general after Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley called it “a good choice for this job,” and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said he was “very likely” to support https://t.co/L3EZx39C7q pic.twitter.com/IOGbQ8avgX
When a democratic grandfather Patrick leahy Questioning Garland, the federal judge said he was looking forward to working with Leahy if confirmed.
Leahy replied, “You are going to be tested. I bet my farm in Vermont on that. “