Today's Top Political Story

U.S. House tees up vote on Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives moved on Friday toward a late-night vote on President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid bill, as Democrats who narrowly control the chamber steered the sweeping measure toward approval. Learn More
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Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID bill advances to House floor
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives Rules Committee on Friday approved rules for debating legislation containing President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion plan to address the human and economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, advancing the bill to the House floor. More »

Pelosi says coronavirus relief bill will 'absolutely' pass with or without minimum wage raise
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters on Friday the coronavirus relief bill will "absolutely" pass, with or without a provision raising the minimum wage. More »

With gold-colored Trump statue, conservatives show fealty to former president
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. conservatives praised Donald Trump at an annual gathering on Friday, even unveiling a golden statue of the former president, showing he remains a Republican political force despite violent scenes in Washington last month. More »

Eight U.S. auto state governors urge Biden to press semiconductor firms on chip shortage
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A bipartisan group of eight governors from U.S. auto states on Friday urged Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden to do more to press semiconductor firms to address a global shortage of automotive chips that has cut some vehicle production. More »

White House restores key climate measure calculating carbon's harm
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Friday announced a major change in how the federal government will calculate and weigh the cost of climate change in its permitting, investment and regulatory decisions with a move to restore the "social cost of greenhouse gases," which had been slashed under the Trump administration. More »

Biden weighs path forward for $15 minimum wage after Senate roadblock
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden is still committed to raising the U.S. minimum wage to $15 after a key Senate referee ruled the provision could not be included in the COVID-19 relief bill, a top White House economic adviser said on Friday. More »

U.S. Senate referee says Democrats cannot include $15 minimum wage in COVID bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - 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 said on Thursday. More »

McConnell to support Trump if party picks him as its 2024 nominee
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who excoriated former President Donald Trump over the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riot less than two weeks ago, said on Thursday that he would "absolutely" vote for Trump if he became the 2024 Republican presidential nominee. More »

Biden's aid bill wildly popular with Americans -- except Republicans in Congress
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House is losing hope that congressional Republicans will back U.S. President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid bill despite a campaign-style push that has won support from business leaders, local government officials, unions and voters. More »