The Hill Articles: December 16, 2021

27 feared dead in building fire in Osaka, Japan Florida man kicked off United flight for using underwear as mask in protest Only COVID-19 facility in Afghanistan’s capital in crisis amid dire economic downturn: report Pfizer and BioNTech seek full vaccine approval for those ages 12-15 Hassan backs nixing filibuster on voting rights Judge overturns Purdue Pharma bankruptcy deal over protections for Sackler family Proud Boys supporter sentenced to nearly 3 years in prison for threatening senator University of Maryland cancels winter commencement amid surge in COVID-19 cases Chicago mayor did not intentionally conceal info after botched raid, report finds On The Money — Presented by Citi — Build Back Better…late than never? Psychologist testifies Maxwell’s accusers may have fallen prey to ‘false memories’ Overnight Energy & Environment — Biden releases lead plan More than 100 House Democrats urge Biden to lift restrictions on Cuba amid crisis New York AG sues pet store for allegedly selling sick, injured puppies to unknowing customers Overnight Health Care — Presented by Rare Access Action Project — CDC advises Pfizer, Moderna shots over J&J Bank of England raises interest rates Hillicon Valley — Meta takes aim at spyware companies Senate passes Uyghur bill, confirms China ambassador Biden says Build Back Better talks could slip into new year Delaware judge denies Fox’s motion to dismiss Dominion lawsuit Senate parliamentarian rejects Democrats’ third immigration offer Democrats lack backup plan with expanded child tax credit set to lapse Overnight Defense & National Security — Military throws out unvaccinated personnel Police issue warrant for Baldwin’s cell phone in investigation of ‘Rust’ shooting Study finds transgender people three times as likely to face food insufficiency during pandemic Democrats put due process on the chopping block Pick up a two-pack of advanced air filters for more than $200 off for this extended Green Monday Sale Briefing in brief: WH on Biden-Harris 2024 Researchers find ‘significant amounts of water’ in the largest canyon in the solar system Biden asks Supreme Court to revive health worker vaccine mandate How volunteers are rescuing coastal America one oyster at a time Judge goes beyond prosecutors’ request with sentence for Jan. 6 couple Vaccine mandate held up for Chicago firefighters Louisiana judge captured on video using racial slurs to go on unpaid leave It’s clearer than ever VHA must remain the primary provider of veteran care NYC announces new measures as cases spike: ‘We’ve never seen this before’ Officials point to Apache vulnerability in urging passage of cyber incident reporting bill Abbott becomes 7th GOP governor to protest National Guard vaccine mandate House panel subpoenas author of Jan. 6 PowerPoint Senators reach deal on framework for reauthorizing Violence Against Women Act LGBTQ people find stand-in ‘families’ in Facebook group Main characters in children’s books still mostly male, study finds Biden warns of winter with ‘severe illness and death’ for unvaccinated Next-generation regulation: Powering our country without turning up the heat The 5 coolest innovations of 2021 Defense contractor arrested in alleged attempt to send information to Russia Brad Parscale says Jan. 6 committee issued subpoena for his phone records Russian central bank eyes ban on investments in cryptocurrencies: report Federal bank regulator proposes first climate risk guidance FDA broadens access to abortion pills Capitol Police response to ‘Justice for J6’ rally cost over $1 million Equilibrium/Sustainability — Presented by Southern Company — Metaverse data center to be powered by solar White House rules out passing child tax credit as standalone bill Former top FDA officials accuse Biden admin of ‘sidelining’ experts Italian researchers find more than 100 species living on 2,200-year-old shipwreck Compression asphyxia cause of death for Astroworld victims: officials Nikole Hannah-Jones: 2021 showed steps toward racial progress always met with ‘intensive backlash’ School board member punched in face in argument over Native American mascot name Blizzard closes highway connecting California and Oregon Civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin has juvenile record expunged at 82 years old Nearly 110,000 fake health passes in circulation in France Enjoy professionally selected wines sent to your door for $6 per bottle CDC warns punishing wave of omicron to hit in January Schools across the country play Michigan school’s fight song to show solidarity following shooting Joe Exotic reportedly delaying cancer treatment for resentencing World Trade Organization says its facing opposition to deal on vaccine distribution 2021 was record year for LA port despite supply chain woes CDC recommends Pfizer, Moderna shots over J&J Florida man allegedly involved in group that beat officer with flagpole on Jan. 6 arrested Facebook whistleblower lands book deal Biden bested by Boris on trophy hunting NHL’s Blackhawks settle sexual assault lawsuit with former player Idaho sheriff accused of pulling gun on church youth group DOJ says it won’t agree to payments to families separated at border US Chamber launches ads thanking Manchin for fighting $2T bill ‘Hamilton’ and ‘Harry Potter’ shut down amid Broadway’s new crisis Kim Kardashian says she’s ‘a mix of both’ parties Boston Terrier heralded for saving baby Meta takes action against spyware companies targeting 50K individuals Global heating and fossil fuel burning are the world’s greatest health challenges Jury awards $4 million to trans student denied bathroom access at school Biden awards Medal of Honor to three soldiers for bravery in Iraq, Afghanistan Florida considering 24/7 alligator hunting Biden calls Senate Democrats on voting rights Greene, GOP colleagues call for firing of DC Corrections official who ‘despises’ Trump and supporters DC, California, Hawaii among ‘safest states’ during pandemic Spoiler alert: Grief is never over ‘Just Like That’ Nearly 500 journalists in prison globally, highest in 26 years Washington state COVID-19 outbreaks linked to high school wrestling tournaments Fauci: Omicron likely dominant in US in ‘few weeks,’ warns hospitals could be ‘overwhelmed’ Marines kick out more than 100 for refusing COVID-19 vaccine NYPD considering purchase of 250 Teslas Harris says she doesn’t even ‘think’ about whether Biden will run in 2024 Build Back Better is a chance to finally make corporate taxes line up better with profits Workers allege ‘flagrant indifference’ in lawsuit against Kentucky candle factory Japanese prime minister says he doesn’t plan to attend Beijing Olympics Procedural ruling by Supreme Court could prolong fight over Texas abortion ban Business lobby targets FTC enforcement measures in $2T bill Twelve percent of Massachusetts school water fixtures exceed lead thresholds: study House committee calls on DOJ for answers about execution drug Biden’s Build Back Better bill suddenly in serious danger Lowenthal becomes latest House Democrat to not seek reelection Wild new idea takes flight: massive kites attached to ships Star of two hit TV shows departs after investigation into ‘abusive’ misconduct Heritage Areas face looming cliff – our bill protects these cherished sites Biden administration blacklists Chinese biotech firms over human rights abuses Anti-vaccine protesters arrested in New York during organized ‘sit-in’ at Cheesecake Factory, Applebee’s AIPAC launching super PAC ahead of midterms Watch live: White House press briefing Trio of former ‘Bachelorette’ contestants cut pro-Biden ad COVID-19 test makers, labs warned demand could soon double or even triple: report Wildlife officials consider dropping poison on American island See the robot boats that scientists are sending into hurricanes Three key shapers of the global economy in 2022 Two women accuse Chris Noth of sexual assault in 2004, 2015 Key climate program stays in spending bill — for now The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Mastercard – BBB negotiations hit tension point South Korea limiting gatherings to four people Family says former NFL player found dead in hotel had CTE Elon Musk says he will pay more taxes than anyone in history this year House Democratic leaders resist triple ethics bypass procedure How dogs are helping their owners fight the pandemic National progressive group labels six lawmakers ‘progressive in name only’ in new report Court rules Texas attorney general cannot prosecute voter fraud unilaterally Family of slain Uber driver demands accountability The Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court failed the president Last 12 kidnapped missionaries released in Haiti Biden administration reverses Trump rule allowing more powerful shower heads No. 2 Senate Democrat ‘stunned’ by Manchin’s stance on child tax credit LeVar Burton to host Scripps National Spelling Bee GOP candidates, conservative groups holding more events at Mar-a-Lago than previous years: report Biden signs debt ceiling increase, averting default Hunting grizzly bears around Yellowstone may soon be permitted for first time in nearly 50 years Watch live: Biden awards Medal of Honor to 3 Army soldiers Grand jury proposes sweeping reforms following Surfside condo collapse Drone shot down near US base in Syria Louisiana AG sues governor over COVID-19 vaccine requirement for students First person ever to fly into active volcano and fly back out was wearing special wingsuit Obama shares favorite books, movies of the year The American Rescue Plan isn’t just plugging budget holes More Americans worried about cancer, heart disease than COVID-19: Gallup Bill Clinton announces MasterClass focused on ‘inclusive leadership’ Controversial NFL coach fired hours after it was revealed he allegedly kicked player during practice Graham says he thinks Biden’s Build Back Better is ‘dead forever’ Army says 98 percent of active duty personnel got vaccine before deadline Cows are not the new coal — here’s why Rising: December 16, 2021 ​​​​Father of Daunte Wright chokes up on witness stand Tornadoes reported as record winds blow through central US US registers more hurricane-force gusts than any other day Biden: Unemployment numbers show ‘jobs recovery is one of the strongest ever’ Queen Elizabeth cancels pre-Christmas party amid soaring cases Who will abandon Fox News next? Santa Claus is coming to town: Bruce Springsteen signs massive $500M deal North Carolina Democrat Jeff Jackson drops out of Senate race NYT’s Stephens urges Biden not to run in 2024 Regeneron says antibody therapy loses potency against omicron Melania Trump announces new line of NFTs UCLA basketball game canceled due to COVID-19 protocols Officials from Georgia secretary of state’s office interviewed by Jan. 6 panel: report Virtual health plans should worry us all Taylor Swift-themed party explodes into nearly 100 COVID-19 cases Jobless claims rise to 206K after hitting 52-year low States, federal government carry out fewest executions since 1988 Washington shouldn’t pat itself on the back for its cybersecurity spending just yet Democrat Jeff Jackson set to exit North Carolina Senate race: report Texas AG investigating pharmaceuticals over puberty blockers for children This is not 1938 — so stop talking about appeasement Apple again delays return to office France restricting travel from Britain because of omicron Omicron infects 70 times faster than previous COVID strains: study Noem says she will propose ban on transgender women in female sports Airline executive says masks ‘don’t add much’ on flights Navy to begin discharging sailors over vaccine policy Trump’s ‘Enemies List’ — end of year edition Planned Parenthood endorses nearly 200 House incumbents ahead of midterms The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Charter Communications – Dem wheels wobble on BBB train; Fed rate hikes in ’22 Google failing to enforce climate denial policy, study finds Democrats threaten to play hardball over Cruz’s blockade US sports leagues facing COVID-19 crisis US concerns grow over potential Russian cyber targeting of Ukraine amid troop buildup Governors grapple with vaccine mandates ahead of midterms Biden administration releases plan for tackling lead pipes Officials warn of increased hacking threat during holiday season Biden administration unveils efforts to add to trucking workforce