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U.S. Supreme Court Leans toward Upholding Republican-Backed Voting Curbs

March 2, 2021 Focus Washington

U.S. Supreme Court justices on Tuesday appeared inclined to uphold two Republican-backed voting restrictions in Arizona in a case that could further weaken the Voting Rights Act, a landmark 1965 federal law that bars racial […]

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Biden Administration to Pay Transportation, Healthcare for Families Separated under Trump

March 1, 2021 Focus Washington

The United States could pay for transportation, healthcare, legal services, and career and educational services for migrants separated under former President Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” border strategy, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said […]

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New York AG to Oversee Investigation into Cuomo Sexual Harassment Allegations

March 1, 2021 Focus Washington

New York Attorney General Letitia James will oversee an investigation with subpoena power into sexual harassment allegations against Gov. Andrew Cuomo after the state’s top Democrat gave into pressure from his own party to agree […]

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Cuomo Calls for Outside Review after Second Former Aide Alleges Sexual Misconduct

February 28, 2021 Focus Washington

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo called on Saturday for an outside review following a report of sexual misconduct allegations against him by a second former aide, compounding problems for one of America’s most well-known Democratic […]

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Biden Scores Legislative Win as House Passes $1.9 Trillion COVID Relief Plan

February 28, 2021 Focus Washington

President Joe Biden scored his first legislative win as the House of Representatives passed his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package early Saturday, though Democrats face challenges to their hopes of using the bill to raise […]

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‘Squad’ Members AOC, Omar Suggest Senate Parliamentarian Could be Removed over minimum Wage Decision

February 27, 2021 Focus Washington

House Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., lashed out at Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough Friday after she rejected a progressive-backed proposal to include a federal minimum wage hike in President Biden’s $1.9 trillion […]

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California’s Liberal Ninth Circuit to Tackle Gun Rights, Mull Reinstating High-capacity Magazine Ban

February 27, 2021 Focus Washington

California’s overturned ban on high-capacity magazines could be reinstated on appeal after a federal court’s split-decision found it unconstitutional last year, Fox News informed. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in California announced Thursday that […]

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Justice Department Announces More than 300 People Have Been Charged in Capitol Riot

February 27, 2021 Focus Washington

The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) has charged over 300 people in connection with the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riot by pro-Trump supporters, acting Deputy Attorney General John Carlin told reporters Friday, Fox News informed. The […]

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Supreme Court Blocks a California Ban on indoor Church Services

February 27, 2021 Focus Washington

The U.S. Supreme Court handed California churches a victory Friday, granting injunctive relief to a group that had sued over coronavirus lockdown rules that banned indoor services, Fox News informed. The churches will be allowed […]

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Ilhan Omar, Other Progressives Question Biden’s ‘Legal Rationale’ for Syria Airstrikes

February 27, 2021 Focus Washington

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., said Friday she was concerned about the White House’s “legal rationale” for launching airstrikes in Syria a day earlier without congressional approval, Fox News informed. “We in Congress have congressional oversight in engaging […]

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House Democrats Ready to Push through Biden’s $1.9t COVID-19 Plan

February 26, 2021 Focus Washington

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on Friday was poised to push through President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid package, although it looked unlikely to be able to use the bill to raise the minimum […]

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AstraZeneca, Sputnik Vaccines Face Hurdles If COVID Shots Become Annual Affair

February 26, 2021 Focus Washington

Vaccines from AstraZeneca, Russia’s Gamaleya Institute and Johnson & Johnson fight the coronavirus with another virus, leaving scientists concerned the shots may lose potency if annual inoculations become necessary to fight new variants, Reuters reported. […]

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U.S. Senate Referee Says Democrats Cannot Include $15 Minimum Wage in COVID Bill

February 26, 2021 Focus Washington

In a blow to Democrats, the Senate parliamentarian ruled the chamber cannot include President Joe Biden’s proposed $15-an-hour minimum wage in a $1.9 trillion coronavirus bill the party aims to pass without Republican votes, lawmakers […]

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Pfizer’s Vaccine Reduces Transmission Significantly after One Dose

February 26, 2021 Focus Washington

Researchers in the U.K. came up with a new study which reveals that one dose of Pfizer’s vaccine can significantly reduce the infection of asymptomatic patients, according to The Hill. This could be very helpful […]

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Hawley, Sanders Back Corporate Tax to Get $15 Minimum Wage

February 26, 2021 Focus Washington

Big companies that don’t pay their workers at least $15 per hour will be taxed with the new, alternative minimum wage plan, presented by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) Friday and supported by Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) […]

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Law Enforcement Officials Present Evidence Prooving Capitol Riot was ‘Coordinated’

February 26, 2021 Focus Washington

Testifying before a joint Senate hearing on the January 6 Capitol riot on Tuesday, top current and former law enforcement officials said to the lawmakers that they have evidence pointing to planning and coordination in […]

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Biden CIA Nominee Burns to Focus on ‘Authoritarian Adversary’ China

February 25, 2021 Focus Washington

President Joe Biden’s nominee to be director of the CIA, William Burns, told a Senate committee on Wednesday that he saw competition with China – and countering its “adversarial, predatory” leadership – as the key […]

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Senate Approves Biden Nominees for Ag Secretary, UN Ambassador

February 24, 2021 Focus Washington

The Senate confirmed President Joe Biden’s choice to lead U.S. diplomacy at the United Nations on Tuesday, CNBC informed. The vote for Linda Thomas-Greenfield reflected a divide between the Biden administration’s determination to re-engage with […]

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U.S. House Plans Vote on COVID-19 Aid Bill on Friday

February 24, 2021 Focus Washington

The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on Friday on legislation to provide $1.9 trillion in new coronavirus relief, said Representative Steny Hoyer, the chamber’s No. 2 Democrat, Reuters informed. “The American people strongly support […]

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Fauci Says He Sees U.S. CDC Relaxing Some COVID-19 Guidelines Soon

February 23, 2021 Focus Washington

Top U.S. infectious disease official Anthony Fauci on Tuesday told CNN that he expects the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to soon relax some COVID-19 recommendations aimed at curbing its spread for people […]

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U.S. Senate Begins Review of Security Failings Ahead of Deadly Capitol Riot

February 23, 2021 Focus Washington

Two U.S. Senate panels reviewing security failings in the run-up to the deadly assault on the Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump are due on Tuesday to interview the top security officials involved […]

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U.S. Supreme Court Paves Way for Release of Trump’s Tax Returns

February 22, 2021 Focus Washington

Donald Trump suffered a major setback on Monday in his long quest to conceal details of his finances as the U.S. Supreme Court paved the way for a New York City prosecutor to obtain the […]

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Michigan, Maryland Governors to Testify on New U.S. Infrastructure Push

February 22, 2021 Focus Washington

A U.S. Senate panel will hold a hearing on Wednesday on efforts to boost crumbling U.S. transport infrastructure, which will include testimony from two key governors, Reuters reports. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, and […]

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Critics Accuse Ted Cruz of ‘Fake Compassion’ as He Hands Out Water in Texas

February 21, 2021 Focus Washington

Fresh from a trip to a Mexican beach resort, Texas Senator Ted Cruz appeared keen to show he was helping others during the statewide emergency that he temporarily—left behind this week, Newsweek reports. The Republican […]

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Biden’s First Month Was a ‘Honeymoon,’ but Bigger Challenges Loom Ahead

February 21, 2021 Focus Washington

One month into the job, President Joe Biden is on the cusp of securing a bigger economic rescue package than during the 2009 financial crisis. He has wiped out his predecessor Donald Trump’s policies from […]

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WHO to Recommend Extensive Study of First Known COVID-19 Patient, Wet Market Suppliers: Report

February 21, 2021 Focus Washington

The World Health Organization (WHO) will release a report on the roots of the coronavirus pandemic recommending more comprehensive contact tracing of the first known patient in Wuhan, China and the wildlife market where it […]

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Clubhouse’s Rising Popularity Raises Misinformation Concerns

February 21, 2021 Focus Washington

Clubhouse, an emerging social media platform born during the coronavirus-driven lockdowns, has given users a chance to connect through intimate audio conversations with virtual strangers even while isolated at home, The Hill reports. But as […]

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Big U.S. Companies Slash Donations to Politicians after Trump Election Challenge

February 21, 2021 Focus Washington

Ten U.S. corporations slashed donations to candidates seeking federal office by more than 90% in January, after pledging to cut off giving to the Republicans who supported former President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn his […]

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Billions in Damage Across the South Prompts Focus on Who’s to Blame, and Who Will Pay

February 20, 2021 Focus Washington

Millions of people across a storm-scarred South were bracing for one last night of extreme cold Friday following a devastating week in which dozens of people died, homes and businesses sustained billions of dollars in […]

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Lawyer Who Brought Election Suit Referred for Possible Discipline

February 20, 2021 Focus Washington

A federal judge in Washington on Friday formally referred a Minnesota lawyer for potential discipline over a lawsuit filed in December seeking to overturn President Joe Biden’s wins in at least five battleground states, Politico […]

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