British Prime Minister Boris Johnson fields questions from members in the House of Commons on proposed changes to his government's Brexit plan and the response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis held a hearing on how to ensure a safe and fair election during the pandemic. Several civil rights advocates and public safety experts testified before the committee, speaking about the importance in following CDC guidelines, voter suppression, and alternatives to in-person voting, such as mail-in ballots and the use of drop boxes. They also discussed the ways to keep voters safe - early voting, the extension of voting hours, and an increase in the number of available polling centers in each state. Appearing before the subcommittee was actress and activist Kerry Washington, who is co-chair of When We All Vote, a voter participation organization that was launched in 2018.
President Trump held a news conference from the White House. He addressed the federal and state response to Hurricane Sally, congratulated the Big Ten for resuming college football, and updated the press on the current coronavirus numbers. The president also discussed the progress on the coronavirus vaccine, urging former Vice President Joe Biden to stop his "anti-vaccine theories, because all they are doing is hurting the importance of what we are doing," and that "they are recklessly endangering lives." When asked about CDC Director Robert Redfield's testimony on Capitol Hill earlier in the day, saying that a vaccine will not be available to the general public until the middle of next year at the earliest, President Trump said he thought the director "made a mistake when he said that."
A Senate Environment and Public Works subcommittee examined various pieces of legislation addressing wildfires and forest management. This hearing came as wildfires devastated large swaths of California and Oregon. Lawmakers solicited input and testimony from U.S. Forest Service Deputy Chief Chris French, the Interior Department and stakeholders from different states.
House lawmakers examined the coronavirus impact on rural economies and small businesses. Business leaders from Iowa, Ohio and Vermont virtually testified about their experiences before the House Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Development.
A House Science, Space and Technology subcommittee held a hearing on the progress of the Energy Department's biological research and development during the coronavirus pandemic. Researchers and scientists also discussed how teleworking impacts their research, climate change, access to research labs, and private and public partnerships in research.
A Senate Environment and Public Works subcommittee examined various pieces of legislation addressing wildfires and forest management. This hearing came as wildfires devastated large swaths of California and Oregon. Lawmakers solicited input and testimony from U.S. Forest Service Deputy Chief Chris French, the Interior Department and stakeholders from different states.
The House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations held a hearing to examine actions taken by U.S. Postmaster General Lewis DeJoy since taking office in July 2020. Experts on the operations of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) discussed the need for improvements. They also expressed concern about changes Mr. DeJoy instituted and said he's politicized the post office. Former Federal Election Commission (FEC) Commissioner Ann Ravel (D), who served during the Obama Administration, and Former Chief White House Ethics Lawyer Richard Painter (I), who served during the George W. Bush Administration, also said there's a chance Mr. DeJoy may have committed a crime due to his ownership of a company that contracted its services to the USPS.
