The Hill Articles: December 8, 2020

Trump taps Conway, Chao to government posts in waning days of administration Pelosi, Schumer hit Trump but cite ‘progress’ in COVID relief talks McCarthy says he and McConnell back $600 stimulus checks Taylor Swift offers message for those who ‘don’t care’ about following pandemic restrictions Former Rep. Katie Hill granted temporary restraining order against ex-husband House GOP leader trolls Democrats over reduced majority Trump Jr. cuts ad for Loeffler, Perdue in Georgia Biden to tap Vilsack for Agriculture secretary: reports Bipartisan fix for ‘surprise’ medical bills hits roadblock Georgia elections official: Trump should ‘act more responsibly’ GOP hopes for escape hatch from showdown with Trump Support grows for stimulus checks, but they may wait Overnight Defense: Biden taps Austin for Pentagon chief | Army announces Ft Hood firings, suspensions | House approves defense bill despite Trump veto On The Money: Mnuchin pitches Pelosi $916B coronavirus deal with Trump’s blessing | White House offers direct payments, state and local aid Feds investigating after Ohio man fatally shot by deputy GOP lawmaker introduces bill to eliminate federal prescribing requirements McAuliffe to announce bid for second term as Virginia governor Jane Goodall joins lawmakers in calling for rethinking conservation and national interests Warren says she will vote against waiver for Biden’s Pentagon pick Biden to tap Fudge to lead Department of Housing and Urban Development: reports New climate change report says Arctic is changing so quickly that nothing will be the same in 30 years Pentagon draft list prioritizes medical personnel, senior leaders in vaccine rollout: report House approves defense policy bill despite Trump veto threat White House bet on Pfizer doses raises concerns about vaccine supply OVERNIGHT ENERGY: EPA guidance may exempt some water polluters from Supreme Court permit mandate | Vilsack’s stock rises with Team Biden | Arctic wildfires linked to warming temperatures: NOAA Overnight Health Care: First signs of Thanksgiving wave emerge | FDA says Pfizer vaccine is highly effective, even after first dose | Biden aims for 100 million vaccinations in first hundred days Mnuchin says he offered Pelosi $916B coronavirus relief deal with Trump’s approval Portland police clash with protesters blockading house over evictions Hillicon Valley: Major cybersecurity firm hacked in sophisticated nation-state attack | Senate confirms Trump FCC nominee amid Democratic pushback | Pornhub bans unverified uploads, ability to download content EPA guidance may exempt some water polluters from Supreme Court permit mandate Pelosi blasts McConnell suggestion to pare down COVID-19 relief bill: ‘Appalling’ Giuliani from hospital calls COVID-19 ‘a curable disease’ Senate confirms Trump FCC nominee amid Democratic pushback New York attorney general predicts Trump will step down, allow Pence to pardon him Rebuilding the Federal Workforce Elon Musk confirms he relocated to Texas from California Vilsack’s stock rises as Biden eyes inroads to rural America California launches contact tracing app as COVID-19 surges Helping small business come back better and stronger NAACP president asks incoming Biden administration to designate adviser on racial equity Supreme Court rejects GOP bid to nullify Biden win in Pennsylvania Black and Latino advocates slam Georgia counties cutting back on voting sites ahead of Senate runoffs Small business owners’ optimism ticks up, still trails pre-pandemic levels: survey Colorado governor’s partner released from hospital after COVID-19 treatment Poll: Voters view coronavirus as the country’s most important issue 6 inspiring flicks to light the menorah to this Hanukkah CPAC organizers planning in-person Florida event in February: report Drone ‘localization’ policies will backfire Pornhub bans unverified uploads, ability to download content from site S&P 500 breaks new record, closes above 3,700 China, Nepal announce new, taller height for Mount Everest Doug Jones seen as leading contender as Biden attorney general: report Major cybersecurity firm says it was hacked in sophisticated nation-state attack North Carolina governor orders residents to stay home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Germany orders Tesla to halt factory development due to hibernating snakes Biden, Trump offer dueling outlooks on coronavirus pandemic Biden officially taps retired Gen. Lloyd Austin as Pentagon nominee Twitter billionaire Jack Dorsey gives U.S. mayors $15M to fund basic income America is subsidizing Europe’s socialist medicine — with higher drug prices here Giuliani’s son says father has ‘improved significantly’ after COVID-19 diagnosis GOP rep introduces resolution to condemn lawmakers calling for Trump to concede ‘prematurely’ Bipartisan fix for ‘surprise’ medical bills hits roadblock with powerful chairman Lori Loughlin’s daughter on college admissions scandal: ‘I think they thought it was normal’ What America’s Thinking: December 08, 2020 Judge: LA officials acted arbitrarily in banning outdoor dining 5 market structure trends for lawmakers to watch in 2021 Israel’s ex-space boss: Trump was ‘on the verge’ of revealing extraterrestrials’ existence DeWine says lethal injection ‘impossible’ option for Ohio executions FCC announces billions in subsidies to provide broadband access in rural areas Senate Democrats to vote on leadership rules amid power struggle Krebs blames Trump for ‘disinformation,’ says democratic institutions ‘under attack from the inside’ Thune pushes for remote worker tax relief to be included in COVID-19 relief package Trump defends holding holiday parties amid pandemic 14 Fort Hood soldiers fired or suspended over violence at base after investigation Biden aims for 100 million vaccinations in first hundred days Remember Asian American voters Biden calls on Congress to quickly take action on aid package Sanders surrogate Nina Turner considering run for Fudge seat: report McConnell proposes keeping liability protection and state, local funding out of coronavirus relief bill Hispanic Caucus lobbying Biden for Education nominee Most states are below their greenhouse gas reduction goals: report Judge formally dismisses Flynn case but says pardon doesn’t make him innocent As election fraud claims collapse, a rare opportunity to undermine Trumpism Ohio State-Michigan rivalry football game canceled due to coronavirus cases Mall Santa brings Nerf gun to boy who cried when told ‘no guns’ for Christmas Arctic wildfires linked to warming temperatures: NOAA First signs of Thanksgiving COVID-19 wave emerge Massachusetts tightening coronavirus restrictions amid rise in cases Democratic senators push for $1,200 direct payments in new coronavirus relief package US citizen sentenced to six-year prison term in Saudi Arabia: report When exceptions become the rule, ‘forever wars’ result CBO: Deficit climbs 25 percent to $430 billion through November US believes Eritrean soldiers helping Ethiopia’s fight against rebels: report Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis tests positive for coronavirus New York City considering online shopping fee amid pandemic Two Senate Democrats signal opposition to waiver for Biden’s Pentagon pick Inauguration committee Republicans sink Democrats’ resolution acknowledging Biden victory How did the UK get the coronavirus vaccine before the US? Intercept’s DC bureau chief: Biden HHS pick is a win for the left Voters have demanded bold leadership and common sense, not partisan gridlock People’s Action head: Marcia Fudge would ‘fight for everyday people’ as USDA chief SiriusXM announces five-year extension of ‘The Howard Stern Show’ Sanders presses Schumer on $1,200 payments, bigger COVID-19 relief bill Treasury: US banks won’t be sanctioned over humanitarian aid to Iran Melania Trump addresses Toys for Tots: ‘Remember to be kind’ Over 200 former White House interns call on Biden to pay interns It’s time for cheaper drugs Has Google’s DeepMind revolutionized biology? Woman gives birth then dies of COVID-19 without holding newborn son Toomey: ‘Completely unacceptable’ for Trump to pressure lawmakers to overturn election results AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine safe and effective, studies suggest Romney: ‘Nuts’ to invite doctor who questioned coronavirus vaccine to Senate hearing Watch live: Trump speaks at Operation Warp Speed Vaccine Summit The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Alibaba – Vaccinations begin in the UK Army secretary announces multiple firings, suspensions after investigation at Fort Hood Oregon nurse no longer employed following viral TikTok mocking masks, COVID-19 precautions Controversy rages over armed police raid on Florida scientist fired over COVID-19 data Watch live: Biden introduces health team amid coronavirus surge Sidney Powell appeals dismissal of lawsuit to overturn Georgia election result Patton Oswalt, Sarah Silverman among comedians ‘Riffing for the Georgia Runoffs’ ER doctor chosen to lead Hispanic Caucus More than 1,000 Black women urge Biden to appoint more Black female Cabinet members Civic education vs. Constitutional education WHO official: ‘Don’t hug each other’ is ‘brutal reality’ 91-year-old UK man among first in world to be vaccinated: ‘I want to live a long time’ California considers requiring police officers be over 25 or have bachelor’s degree Black Michigan lawmaker who criticized Giuliani receives lynching threats Northam highlights ‘Breonna’s Law’ with ceremonial bill signing Texas ‘mythologies of rape’ professor files libel lawsuits against critics A ‘Bretton Woods’ for space in Biden’s first 100 days Krebs files lawsuit against Trump attorney who said he should be shot States push back on CDC demand for personal data of COVID-19 vaccine recipients New Zealand mosque shooter radicalized by YouTube, investigation finds Uber sells self-driving unit to startup competitor First to break the sound barrier, Chuck Yeager dies at 97 Air Force becomes first military branch to remove fitness ‘tape test’ Trust, not escalation, should be the United States’ cyberspace policy Forbes names Harris, Abrams, Ardern to ‘world’s most powerful women’ list MLB umpire arrested as part of sex sting operation in Ohio New Year, New Leaders: What’s Next for the 50+ Voter? Swalwell, California politicians targeted by Chinese spy: report Pfizer’s vaccine is given in two doses — but FDA says first dose alone is highly effective The COVID-19 relief bill: Why compromise is back in Washington Rising: December 8, 2020 Trump officials passed on ‘multiple’ offers to buy more Pfizer vaccine, Gottlieb says Charlamagne tha God re-ups with iHeartRadio for 5 years Clyburn blasts Trump calling state officials on election results as ‘attempted coup’ American Airlines selling at-home coronavirus tests in effort to boost travel Texas sues states Biden won in Supreme Court, seeking to delay Electoral College vote Lou Dobbs presses Stephen Miller to take up Cruz offer on Trump Lara Trump leading Republicans in 2022 North Carolina Senate poll Operation Warp Speed officials will meet with Biden transition on Thursday The US needs to press the two Koreas and China Clyburn: Marcia Fudge will be nominated for a Cabinet position Stocks slip for second day as COVID-19 surges Arizona GOP asks if followers willing to give their lives to ‘stop the steal’ Don’t allow ‘vaccine politics’ to delay saving lives  FDA says Pfizer COVID vaccine is highly effective, even after first dose Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner buying $30M lot in Florida ‘Billionaire’s Bunker’ Pandemic sparks new career paths for tech-focused youth in Middle East Trump’s self-pardon would clash with his impeachment McEnany says Georgia’s GOP governor ‘is Stacey Abrams’ in latest attack on Kemp Howard Stern blasts Trump’s coronavirus response: ‘Treasonous’ Is government really incompetent and are debt and deficits really problems? NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns says he has lost 7 family members to coronavirus Georgia governor warns state lawmakers they cannot choose Trump electors Second judge bans Trump administration move to ban TikTok downloads China rips US over new sanctions, arms sale to Taiwan Is the US about to abandon a cost-effective tool in containing COVID-19 — paid sick leave? Breathe cleaner with these 10 best-selling on-sale air purifiers Learn a new skill with access to more than 1,000 online courses that are on sale now Bill Gates: Up to 6 COVID-19 vaccines could be available in next few months Kemp recertifies Biden win in Georgia after recount Arbitrary shutdowns will hurt those already most vulnerable to COVID-19 US records highest weekly COVID-19 death toll Willingness to get COVID-19 vaccine up 13 points since September: Gallup 90-year-old UK woman first in world to get approved COVID-19 vaccine Press: America: Love it or leave it! Feehery: The libertarian movement The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Congress faces end-of-year crunch; Biden selects his Defense secretary Women make record-breaking gains across state legislatures Biden pick faces task of restoring trust in CDC sidelined by Trump Congress dares Trump to veto defense bill Durbin leads opposition to COVID-19 liability shield with eye on Judiciary post Bipartisan group seizes spotlight, and more clout DeLauro intends to be ‘strong chair’ as Appropriations leader Congress must end this terrible year by fixing small-business relief Making it easier for small businesses to save and prepare for the next crisis Restaurants, bars brace for most challenging winter ever Summer support for Black-owned businesses faces holiday test The Hill Interview: House Small Business Committee chair and ranking member Bipartisan support for new PPP loans gains momentum in Congress Some small firms revamp business models to weather coronavirus storm Bottom line