The bill soared through the chamber despite Democrats' earlier fears of a Republican filibuster.Passing the bill sent a "solid message of solidarity that the Senate will not be a bystander as anti-Asian violence surges in our country," said Sen. Mazie Hirono. | AP PhotoThe Senate on Thursday passed an anti-hate crimes bill aimed at addressing a surge in attacks on Asian Americans amid the Covid-19 pandemic.The measure, which would create a Justice Department position focusing on the issue and beef up state and local hate crime reporting, soared through the chamber by a 94-1 vote. Sen. Josh...…The bill soared through the chamber despite Democrats' earlier fears of a Republican filibuster.Passing the bill sent a "solid message of solidarity that the Senate will not be a bystander as anti-Asian violence surges in our country," said Sen. Mazie Hirono. | AP PhotoThe Senate on Thursday passed an anti-hate crimes bill aimed at addressing a surge in attacks on Asian Americans amid the Covid-19 pandemic.The measure, which would create a Justice Department position focusing on the issue and beef up state and local hate crime reporting, soared through the chamber by a 94-1 vote. Sen. Josh...WW…

No final decision has been made, but some Republicans see it as an overreach and others think it's just a messaging bill.Volunteers of Main Street Patrol connect their walkie-talkie apps before walking up and down the streets of Flushing on April 4 in New York. From coast-to-coast, Asian American groups were already doing more than digital activism, including patrolling, escorting, and chaperoning in Asian communities. | Brittainy Newman/AP PhotoSenate Republicans are weighing whether to mount the first official filibuster of the new Congress — a move that would re-ignite debate over...…No final decision has been made, but some Republicans see it as an overreach and others think it's just a messaging bill.Volunteers of Main Street Patrol connect their walkie-talkie apps before walking up and down the streets of Flushing on April 4 in New York. From coast-to-coast, Asian American groups were already doing more than digital activism, including patrolling, escorting, and chaperoning in Asian communities. | Brittainy Newman/AP PhotoSenate Republicans are weighing whether to mount the first official filibuster of the new Congress — a move that would re-ignite debate over...WW…

For the sophomore Florida Republican, the House probe is only the latest threat to his political future.The House Ethics Committee on Friday opened an investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz over an array of alleged lawbreaking and violations of House rules stemming from a federal sex trafficking inquiry. | Kevin Dietsch/Pool via APThe House Ethics Committee on Friday opened an investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz over an array of alleged lawbreaking and violations of House rules stemming from a federal sex trafficking inquiry.Among the alleged Gaetz improprieties that the ethics committee could...…For the sophomore Florida Republican, the House probe is only the latest threat to his political future.The House Ethics Committee on Friday opened an investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz over an array of alleged lawbreaking and violations of House rules stemming from a federal sex trafficking inquiry. | Kevin Dietsch/Pool via APThe House Ethics Committee on Friday opened an investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz over an array of alleged lawbreaking and violations of House rules stemming from a federal sex trafficking inquiry.Among the alleged Gaetz improprieties that the ethics committee could...WW…

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng called out Republicans and former President Donald Trump at a hearing about discrimination against Asian-Americans.Associated Press, USA TODAYWASHINGTON – Asian American lawmakers have sounded the alarm on derisive language about the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic more than a year ago. And in Thursday's hearing on anti-Asian violence and discrimination, Congress' first on the issue in more than 30 years and just days after a in Atlanta left six Asian Americans dead, one Democratic lawmaker gave an emotional plea to end the use of divisive...…U.S. Rep. Grace Meng called out Republicans and former President Donald Trump at a hearing about discrimination against Asian-Americans.Associated Press, USA TODAYWASHINGTON – Asian American lawmakers have sounded the alarm on derisive language about the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic more than a year ago. And in Thursday's hearing on anti-Asian violence and discrimination, Congress' first on the issue in more than 30 years and just days after a in Atlanta left six Asian Americans dead, one Democratic lawmaker gave an emotional plea to end the use of divisive...WW…

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 –  edged ahead on Wednesday afternoon after clinching the Rust Belt states of Michigan and Wisconsin, once considered to be part of the "blue wall" that crumbled for Democrats in 2016. NBC and CNN both projected Biden would win the Michigan, which leaves the former vice president just six votes short of the 270 electoral votes needed to win the election.Biden needs to maintain his lead in Nevada, where he holds a slim lead over Trump, in order to reach the 270-majority threshold. State officials in Nevada said they did not...…USA TODAYWASHINGTON –  edged ahead on Wednesday afternoon after clinching the Rust Belt states of Michigan and Wisconsin, once considered to be part of the "blue wall" that crumbled for Democrats in 2016. NBC and CNN both projected Biden would win the Michigan, which leaves the former vice president just six votes short of the 270 electoral votes needed to win the election.Biden needs to maintain his lead in Nevada, where he holds a slim lead over Trump, in order to reach the 270-majority threshold. State officials in Nevada said they did not...WW…