USA TODAYWASHINGTON – After an attack at the U.S. Capitol and a historic impeachment trial, Congress is back to legislating.  Lawmakers' primary focus this week will be President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, which Democrats are eager to pass even without Republican help. The bill likely will , and Democrats will put their slim majorities in both chambers to the test for the first time.The first obstacle was cleared Monday when the House Budget Committee endorsed the relief package.But Congress is up against a clear...…USA TODAYWASHINGTON – After an attack at the U.S. Capitol and a historic impeachment trial, Congress is back to legislating.  Lawmakers' primary focus this week will be President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, which Democrats are eager to pass even without Republican help. The bill likely will , and Democrats will put their slim majorities in both chambers to the test for the first time.The first obstacle was cleared Monday when the House Budget Committee endorsed the relief package.But Congress is up against a clear...WW…

USA TODAYWASHINGTON – The federal government might be heading for a shutdown at the end of the week if Congress can't agree on a bill to fund the government this week. Seeking to avoid tough decisions on a spending bill until after the election, Congress punted a key deadline until Friday after passing a bill to keep the government funded at current levels .Lawmakers have been negotiating a comprehensive bill to fund the government through the next fiscal year, but it might not be ready by the end of this week as Republicans and Democrats resolve their remaining...…USA TODAYWASHINGTON – The federal government might be heading for a shutdown at the end of the week if Congress can't agree on a bill to fund the government this week. Seeking to avoid tough decisions on a spending bill until after the election, Congress punted a key deadline until Friday after passing a bill to keep the government funded at current levels .Lawmakers have been negotiating a comprehensive bill to fund the government through the next fiscal year, but it might not be ready by the end of this week as Republicans and Democrats resolve their remaining...WW…

USA TODAYWASHINGTON – Sen. Lindsey Graham, a staunch ally of the president, is the target of an ethics complaint after his over how the state counts ballots. Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger accused Graham earlier this week of pressuring him to find ways to exclude or invalidate legally cast absentee ballots and reverse Trump’s loss in the state, an accusation the South Carolina Republican called "ridiculous."  Arizona's Republican Gov. Doug Ducey and was briefed about the process in Nevada, both swing states that helped Joe Biden beat...…USA TODAYWASHINGTON – Sen. Lindsey Graham, a staunch ally of the president, is the target of an ethics complaint after his over how the state counts ballots. Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger accused Graham earlier this week of pressuring him to find ways to exclude or invalidate legally cast absentee ballots and reverse Trump’s loss in the state, an accusation the South Carolina Republican called "ridiculous."  Arizona's Republican Gov. Doug Ducey and was briefed about the process in Nevada, both swing states that helped Joe Biden beat...WW…

USA TODAY WASHINGTON – A stimulus program set up to and their employees from going on unemployment officially ran dry Thursday morning, less than two weeks after launching. The fate of the Paycheck Protection Program, which was launched April 3 with $349 billion for loans to small businesses, is unclear as congressional leaders and the Trump administration remain at an impasse on to inject billions more into the program. The Treasury Department said that by law, it will not be able to issue loan approvals for small businesses because of the lapse in funding,...…USA TODAY WASHINGTON – A stimulus program set up to and their employees from going on unemployment officially ran dry Thursday morning, less than two weeks after launching. The fate of the Paycheck Protection Program, which was launched April 3 with $349 billion for loans to small businesses, is unclear as congressional leaders and the Trump administration remain at an impasse on to inject billions more into the program. The Treasury Department said that by law, it will not be able to issue loan approvals for small businesses because of the lapse in funding,...WW…

USA TODAYNearly half of Republicans surveyed — 44 percent — believe the president should be able to shutter news outlets for "bad behavior," according to a new poll released Tuesday.  emphasizes the clear divide between party lines when it comes to the role of the media and its coverage of the Trump administration. Twenty-nine percent, nearly a third, of the more than 1,000 people polled said they believed the news media was the enemy of the American people, a phrase that was coined and popularized by President Donald Trump. That number jumps to 48 percent if you just examine...…USA TODAYNearly half of Republicans surveyed — 44 percent — believe the president should be able to shutter news outlets for "bad behavior," according to a new poll released Tuesday.  emphasizes the clear divide between party lines when it comes to the role of the media and its coverage of the Trump administration. Twenty-nine percent, nearly a third, of the more than 1,000 people polled said they believed the news media was the enemy of the American people, a phrase that was coined and popularized by President Donald Trump. That number jumps to 48 percent if you just examine...WW…