Reps. James McGovern (D-MA) and French Hill (R-AR) discuss congressional efforts to forge a compromise on both government funding and Covid-19 relief legislation before the end of the year.
The House is expected to consider several bills under suspension of the rules including a bill requiring the National Park Service to remove the monument to Robert E. Lee at Antietam National Battlefield in Maryland (H.R. 970).
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) held her weekly briefing with reporters on Capitol Hill where she answered a range of questions on her legislative agenda, including the status of the coronavirus relief package negotiations.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and several Republican leaders held a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol where they talked about the current state of the coronavirus relief package, support for small business owners and other legislative priorities.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer spoke on the floor about next week's schedule and agenda with House Republican Whip Steve Scalise. Mr. Hoyer said there would not be any votes prior to next Tuesday at 6:30pm as negotiations continue on a spending bill and COVID-19 relief legislation.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin testified on COVID-19 economic relief loans before the Congressional Oversight Committee. Secretary Mnuchin discussed his agency's efforts to implement the National Security Loan Program, a CARES Act provision that provides up to $17 billion in loans to businesses "critical to maintaining national security." In addition, members asked about the Treasury Department's decision to issue a $700 million loan to shipping company YRC Worldwide.
The Food & Drug Administration hosted a virtual open meeting to discuss Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Members of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPA) heard testimony regarding issues related to Pfizer's vaccine including its safety and effectiveness, distribution and ethical considerations for ongoing vaccine trials. The committee took a brief break and then resumed for further remarks.
The Food & Drug Administration hosted a virtual open meeting to discuss Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Members of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPA) heard public comments and testimony from Pfizer regarding issues related to its vaccine. During this portion, the committee took public comments before presentations on the development and effectiveness of the vaccine.
Federal officials testified on the opioid epidemic before the Senate Homeland Security Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. The hearing focused on efforts to reduce international mail shipments of illicit fentanyl and the implementation of Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention Act, or STOP Act. The 2018 law requires all mail coming into the U.S. to include advance electronic data (AED) by January 1, 2020. Witnesses included U.S. Postal Services Logistics Vice President Robert Cintron along with officials from the State Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The Heritage Foundation hosted a virtual discussion on COVID-19 rapid testing. The panel discussed the benefits of investing in at-home rapid COVID-19 testing and how it could help slow the spread of the virus. They also discussed the timeline and regulations surrounding the vaccine.
