Latest Joe Biden News
'There are only so many beds': COVID-19 surge hits hospitals
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida hospitals slammed with COVID-19 patients are suspending elective surgeries and putting beds in conference rooms, an auditorium and a cafeteria. As of midweek, Mississippi had just six open intensive care beds in the entire state. ...
Senators wrapping up $1T infrastructure bill, voting ahead
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearing decision time, senators are wrapping up work on the bipartisan infrastructure plan and talks were underway Thursday to expedite consideration of the nearly $1 trillion proposal, with votes expected in the days ahead. A much anticipated analysis...
Automakers pledge to increase U.S. electric vehicle sales
WASHINGTON (AP) — Declaring the U.S. must “move fast” to win the carmaking future, President Joe Biden on Thursday touted a commitment from the auto industry to make electric vehicles up to half of U.S. sales by the end of the decade. Biden wants automakers to raise...
The Latest: Amazon pushes back its return-to-office date
SEATTLE - Amazon has pushed back its return-to-office date for tech and corporate workers until January as COVID-19 cases surge nationally due to the more contagious delta variant. Unlike its Seattle-area rival Microsoft and other tech giants, Amazon will not mandate...
McConnell: Democrats 'won't get our help' to lift debt limit
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans will oppose raising the federal debt limit if Democrats pursue their $3.5 trillion, 10-year plan to strengthen social and environment programs, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday. The Kentucky Republican's threat was the...
Texas governor orders new try at passing GOP voting laws
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday ordered the Legislature to reconvene for a third time to try to pass a Republican-backed voting restrictions bill that Democratic members blocked by leaving the state nearly a month ago. The announcement, which...
Richard Trumka, longtime president of AFL-CIO, dies at 72
WASHINGTON (AP) — Richard Trumka, the powerful president of the AFL-CIO who rose from the coal mines of Pennsylvania to preside over one of the largest labor organizations in the world, died Thursday. He was 72. The federation confirmed Trumka’s death in a statement....
People fleeing Hong Kong crackdown get temporary US haven
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden granted temporary refuge Thursday to people from Hong Kong amid the Chinese government's effort to crush the pro-democracy movement and tighten its control on a city once known for its freedom. Biden signed a memorandum allowing...
Governor: Most state workers must be vaccinated or tested
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Most of Virginia’s state workers will have to be vaccinated or agree to regular COVID-19 testing, under a new requirement Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday. The order will take effect Sept. 1 and will apply to more than 120,000 executive...
Rhode Island treasury to require masks for workers indoors
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer starting Thursday is requiring all employees to wear a face covering indoors, regardless of coronavirus vaccination status. The office is thought to be the first state agency to require masks for...
