President-elect Joe Biden is promoting a $1.9 trillion economic relief package to a country battered by a year-long pandemic that will have killed over 400,000 Americans and sickened tens of millions more before he takes office this week.
The proposal announced Thursday evening is an aggressive start for an administration that will have only slim Congressional majorities to work with, especially as it comes layered atop a policy agenda packed with a wide array of Democratic priorities.
Military Will Have Reduced Role in Scaled-Back DC Inauguration Events
The U.S. Navy Band marches down Pennsylvania Avenue during the 58th Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C., January 20. 2017. (U.S. Navy/Senior Chief Musician Stephen Hassay)
19 Jan 2021
The military will play a greatly diminished but still prominent role in the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Wednesday.
The Presidential Inaugural Committee had already scaled back events that normally celebrate the peaceful transfer of power because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The response to the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol added new and heavy layers of security, turning the city into a fortress against threats of violence.
‘Powerhouse duo’ of Washington Sens. Murray, Cantwell gain clout as Biden era begins By Jim Brunner, The Seattle Times
Published: January 19, 2021, 9:17am
Share: Sen. Maria Cantwell, left, and Sen. Patty Murray
SEATTLE With the swearing-in of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Wednesday, the transition away from the Trump era may bring a Mount Rainier-level elevation of clout for Washington state.
Democratic wins in the recent Georgia runoff elections flipped the U.S. Senate from Republican control to a 50-50 tie with Harris serving as the tiebreaker.
That lifts Washington Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to powerful committee chair positions that will enable them to steer legislation and spending on everything from health care to schools to aviation and rail even internet regulation and NASA.