The Hill Articles: February 16, 2021

Former NBA player Chris Webber to help start cannabis fund Biden balks at $50K student loan forgiveness plan Cuomo’s approval rating remains steady despite controversy over nursing home deaths: poll Biden offers to help woman in obtaining vaccine for son with pre-existing condition Biden optimistic US will be in ‘very different circumstance’ with pandemic by Christmas Biden says goal is to reopen schools five days a week in first 100 days Biden: ‘I’m tired of talking about Trump’ Hacker claims to have stolen files from law firm tied to Trump: WSJ Texas governor faces criticism over handling of winter storm fallout Biden officials mull priorities after coronavirus relief bill Texas snowstorm wreaks havoc on state power grid Black Americans attend church, pray more often than US population overall: poll Speaker Pelosi’s change of heart on censure In win for Apple, North Dakota votes down bill that would have regulated app stores GOP lawmaker calls for bolstering research budgets to help space program Biden administration nixes last-minute Trump deal giving ICE union ‘veto power’ over policy GoFundMe set up for mother arrested after leaving kids alone while at work Overnight Defense: Rocket attack in Iraq | Pentagon, FEMA to set up vaccination teams in Texas, NYC | Biden’s move on Yemen sparks new questions Hedge fund to acquire Tribune Publishing in $630M deal Volunteers rush to rescue over 2,500 sea turtles off Texas coast Biden speaks with governors of states hit by severe weather Hillicon Valley: TikTok faces more data privacy concerns | Parler is back | North Korean hackers target Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine | Amazon acquires Shopify competitor Selz House subpanel to hold hearing on reparations for Black Americans Shortage: Michigan cancels nearly 2K second-dose appointments GOP Arizona rep urges vaccine priority for ‘people that are here legally’ On The Money: Biden extends mortgage relief, foreclosure ban through June | Democrats unveil bill to end tax break for investment managers | OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump EPA ripped in new report | Fetterman pledges not to accept fossil fuel money | 15 states sue over Trump plan on automakers Biden administration to begin processing asylum cases Friday Blinken says he gets ‘occasional dig’ from other countries about US democracy Moderna to soon ship 33.2M doses of its COVID-19 vaccine Canada expected to pass sweeping gun legislation that includes banning handguns READ: Trump statement ripping into McConnell Pentagon, FEMA to set up vaccine sites in Texas, New York Giuliani not representing Trump in legal matters, spokesman says Winter storm slows down vaccination rollout in many states Overnight Health Care: Biden administration ups vaccine distribution to states | HHS pick to get Senate hearing next week | Average daily new coronavirus cases dip below 90K Federal cyber agency gets deputy director after months-long vacancy NY Democrat demands apology from Cuomo for mishandling of nursing home deaths Trump EPA ripped over approach to chemical risk evaluations in new report Parler interim CEO: Biden welcome on the platform New CDC guidance ends up deepening debate over reopening schools Poll: Majority say Twitter, others should unban Trump now that he’s out of office Georgia governor moves to overhaul Civil War-era citizen’s arrest law after Ahmaud Arbery case More than a dozen states have proposed laws to ban transgender kids from sports 15 states sue over Trump plan to limit automaker fines on emissions standards Hundreds of volunteers are escorting elderly Asian Americans to keep them safe World’s longest hockey game ends after 11 days, raises $1.8M for charity British military to restore medals to veterans stripped of them due to sexuality Trump unloads on McConnell, promises MAGA primary challengers 1 in 5 first-generation college students are experiencing period poverty Community health workers can fight COVID and historic inequities Misinformation about trophy hunting is wrong. Dead wrong. State parties seek to punish anti-Trump Republicans Democrats propose executive actions on electric vehicle acquisitions 49 new US roads deemed scenic by feds amid rising interest in road trips CBO: Public debt to surpass 200 percent of GDP in 2051 New rule shakes up Senate Armed Services subcommittees European Space Agency eyeing diversity in astronaut recruitment drive Las Vegas airport to be renamed after former Sen. Harry Reid Janet Yellen’s confused dollar policy Biden to put focus on coronavirus relief at Wisconsin town hall event Australian police charge former Olympic swimmer with allegedly running drug syndicate Automakers suspend production due to Arctic blast Texas lawmakers’ tweets mocking California power outages resurface amid winter storm Perdue on potential 2022 run: GOP must regain the Senate White House tells governors they’ll get huge boost in COVID-19 vaccine doses Free community college requires new paths to four-year institutions Brooke Baldwin to leave CNN ‘Detective Chinatown 3’ breaks China box office record amid COVID-19 California medical marijuana retail workers top teachers on vaccine priority list Scottish leader: Don’t book Easter holiday trips Photos from around the world show cities hit by record-setting snowstorms States should look to other states for successful vaccine rollout Iran has role in resolving Yemen conflict, US special envoy says GOP consultant calls Haley the party’s 2024 front-runner McDonald’s sued by Black franchisee alleging racial discrimination Amazon acquires Shopify competitor Selz Jamaal Bowman’s mother dies of COVID-19: ‘I share her legacy with all of you’ Congress is key to sustainable environmental action Texas storm could spark increase in gas prices Austin mayor on Texas freeze: ‘This is probably the toughest time we’ve ever faced’ 2020 airline passenger traffic lowest since 1984 Gaetz suggests DeSantis could run for president in 2024 if Trump is out of the picture White House talking to Amazon about helping COVID-19 vaccine rollout It’s not too late to correct the ICC’s harm regarding Israel and Palestine Georgia GOP legislator introduces bill to increase penalties for crimes committed during protests California state lawmaker proposes bill to make political affiliation a protected class Scarborough says comparisons of Capitol riot to summer protests irrelevant Biden to use ‘more inclusive’ immigration terms Impeachment manager Plaskett: GOP senators privately said she ‘made the case’ against Trump Decoding the logo for the Office of Former President Trump Doctors warn of increase in children with inflammatory syndrome related to COVID-19 Texas governor calls for investigation into grid operator over ‘unacceptable’ power outages Valentine’s Day miracle: officer stops to help motorist, helps deliver baby As nation freezes, fossil fuels are keeping the lights and heat on What America’s Thinking: February 16, 2021 DC will receive $38.8M for new affordable housing efforts Author Ryan Girdusky: ‘Inconsistencies’ in Lincoln Project responses to sexual harassment allegations against co-founder Zaid Jilani responds to NYT report on leftist ideas creating turmoil in France DC bureau chief for The Intercept: Impeachment managers became ‘like the dog who caught the car’ when permitted to call witnesses President Biden: Go big with COVID-19 relief Alexis Ohanian tweets support for ‘greatest athlete’ Serena Williams Woman, child die from carbon monoxide poisoning while trying to stay warm in Texas freeze Northern Calif. billboard calling for students to return to school sparks controversy New Democratic Party chief announces top hires Texas power grid operator declares highest state of emergency amid outages White House says Netanyahu call will be Biden’s first to region Addressing perfectionism: A blueprint for your child’s success Does Biden’s insurance policy for the climate go far enough? IBM pledges net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 Philly GOP commissioner on censures: ‘I would suggest they censure Republican elected officials who are lying’ Biden to increase number of vaccine doses to states Watch dolphins mingle happily with nearly 200 manatees in shallow Florida waters Online sellers seek big bucks for Gina Carano’s ‘Mandalorian’ action figures after her ouster Oklahoma bill would push mountain lion hunting in response to increased sightings Biden unlikely to host foreign leader in person for ‘a couple of months’ Cotton, Romney introduce bill pairing minimum wage increase with immigration employment eligibility Six African countries alerted about Ebola outbreaks by WHO Simone Biles says she would ban her daughter from USA Gymnastics after sexual assault scandal TikTok hit with European regulatory complaints over child safety, data privacy COVID-19 economic relief should focus on those hit hardest North Korean hackers targeted Pfizer coronavirus vaccine: report Michael Jordan makes Daytona 500 debut with driver Bubba Wallace Vox hires Atlantic’s Swati Sharma to be editor Tennessee man charged with forging Obama’s name on handgun permit The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Biden’s first official trip as president How solid is the foundation underlying green energy policies? George Conway calls for thorough Lincoln Project probe: ‘The lying has to stop’ Clintons, Tyler Perry among mourners at Cicely Tyson memorial Bill Gates: Rich nations should move to ‘100 percent synthetic beef’ Sasse: GOP in a battle between ‘conservatism and short-term-ism’ Have misguided policies led to recent asset bubbles and boom-bust cycles? Former Capitol Police chief, sergeants at arms called to testify on Capitol riot ‘I’m a fighter’ says WTO’s first African, female chief, who wades into US-China tariff wars A powerful tool to take on the Supreme Court — if Democrats use it right Charge dismissed against woman who called police on Black birdwatcher Fetterman pledges not to accept fossil fuel money in Pennsylvania Senate race ABC News chief national correspondent Matt Gutman suspended for hospital visit CNN anchor confronts GOP chairman over senator’s vote to convict Trump Why a crisis in the Pacific islands matters for Washington and Beijing Average of daily new coronavirus cases below 90K for first time since November Democrats unveil bill to end tax break for investment managers Australian PM Morrison apologizes to ex-staffer alleging colleague raped her Critics force Poland to rewrite media tax 3 dead, 10 injured as tornado rips into North Carolina Texas officials come under heavy criticism over storm preparedness Setting Biden’s seafood policy table Rising: February 16, 2021 Chinese vaccine arrives in first European Union nation GOP official on Toomey: Wasn’t sent to ‘do the right thing or whatever he said’ NAACP, Rep. Bennie Thompson sue Trump, Giuliani over Capitol riot Dwayne Johnson on presidential bid: ‘Up to the people’ Watch live: White House press briefing Officials in Texas scramble after power outage hits Houston vaccine storage freezer Myanmar military vows to hold election, hand power to winning party Biden’s (mostly) straight talk on China Majority don’t think Trump should be allowed to hold future office: poll China overtakes US as European Union’s main trading partner Stocks hit new highs as record streak continues What’s the Navy’s priority — petty rules, or preparing to fight? North Carolina GOP chair: Fault lies with rioters, not Trump Fauci says he was nervous about catching COVID-19 in Trump White House Marriott announces death of CEO Arne Sorenson from pancreatic cancer 3 sailors on USS Theodore Roosevelt test positive for coronavirus Double masks, vaccines and airplane tickets: Safe travels in our COVID era Almost 5 million without power as winter storm stresses grid in Texas, 13 other states The performing arts unites us and supports key jobs in the economy Restaurant association warns Congress on minimum wage hike 2 dead as winter storm slams Texas The Memo: Biden steps out of Trump’s shadow Aung San Suu Kyi facing new charge in Myanmar Tornado leaves 3 dead in North Carolina Republicans gamble with history Governors tell Biden better vaccine coordination is needed Learn new languages with $80 off this Rosetta Stone subscription Become a master mixologist with a major discount on five classes in cocktail-crafting Kinzinger says relatives told him he has embarrassed the family name Republican support for Trump to play role in party up 18 points from early January The PRO Act’s ‘ABC test’ fails American workers Feehery: The Floridian the Democrats really fear Press: The big loser: The Republican Party Contractor killed in Iraqi rocket attack on US forces Biden extending mortgage relief, moratorium on foreclosures through June Firing the NLRB general counsel was unprecedented — and wrong The Hill’s Morning Report – With trial over, Biden renews push for COVID-19 bill Bottom line How scientists saved Trump’s FDA from politics Pandemic, stimulus checks complicate tax-filing season for millions