By , WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Democrats and Republicans are near agreement on extra money to help small businesses hurt by the coronavirus pandemic and could seal a deal as early as Monday, President Donald Trump said on Sunday.Trump told his daily White House briefing on the crisis that Republicans were “close” to an agreement with Democrats, and suggested there could be a resolution on Monday.“A lot of good work has been going on. We could have an answer tomorrow,” the Republican president said.Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer had said he hoped a deal could be reached on Sunday...…By , WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Democrats and Republicans are near agreement on extra money to help small businesses hurt by the coronavirus pandemic and could seal a deal as early as Monday, President Donald Trump said on Sunday.Trump told his daily White House briefing on the crisis that Republicans were “close” to an agreement with Democrats, and suggested there could be a resolution on Monday.“A lot of good work has been going on. We could have an answer tomorrow,” the Republican president said.Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer had said he hoped a deal could be reached on Sunday...WW…

By , WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Congress struggled to produce a fresh coronavirus relief bill on Monday, as a stubborn standoff between Republicans and Democrats complicated the challenge of passing legislation with most lawmakers out of town.Senate Republicans, who are pressing lawmakers to agree to$250 billion in additional small business aid, chose not to bring the measure forward during a brief session, after Democrats reaffirmed their own demands for broader legislation.“It’s time for the Republicans to quit the political posturing by proposing bills they know will not pass either...…By , WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Congress struggled to produce a fresh coronavirus relief bill on Monday, as a stubborn standoff between Republicans and Democrats complicated the challenge of passing legislation with most lawmakers out of town.Senate Republicans, who are pressing lawmakers to agree to$250 billion in additional small business aid, chose not to bring the measure forward during a brief session, after Democrats reaffirmed their own demands for broader legislation.“It’s time for the Republicans to quit the political posturing by proposing bills they know will not pass either...WW…

By WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Twin efforts were underway in the U.S. Congress on Monday to reach a massive government spending deal that would avert a government shutdown, as Republicans and Democrats insisted they want to include a fresh round of aid to a coronavirus-hit nation.The leaders of both parties appeared more upbeat about doing the first COVID-19 aid bill since April, while a bipartisan group of lawmakers were pitching their own approach. The COVID-19 aid could be attached to a critical spending measure that must be passed by Friday to avoid a federal government shutdown.House Speaker...…By WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Twin efforts were underway in the U.S. Congress on Monday to reach a massive government spending deal that would avert a government shutdown, as Republicans and Democrats insisted they want to include a fresh round of aid to a coronavirus-hit nation.The leaders of both parties appeared more upbeat about doing the first COVID-19 aid bill since April, while a bipartisan group of lawmakers were pitching their own approach. The COVID-19 aid could be attached to a critical spending measure that must be passed by Friday to avoid a federal government shutdown.House Speaker...WW…

By , WASHINGTON/WILMINGTON, Del. (Reuters) - President-elect Joe Biden will win the battleground state of Arizona, Edison Research projected on Thursday, dealing another blow to President Donald Trump’s struggling effort to overturn the results of the Nov. 3 presidential election.Biden’s win in Arizona gives the Democrat 290 electoral votes in the state-by-state Electoral College that determines the winner, more than the 270 needed to claim victory. Biden is also winning the popular vote by more than 5.2 million votes, or 3.4 percentage points.With a few states still counting votes, the...…By , WASHINGTON/WILMINGTON, Del. (Reuters) - President-elect Joe Biden will win the battleground state of Arizona, Edison Research projected on Thursday, dealing another blow to President Donald Trump’s struggling effort to overturn the results of the Nov. 3 presidential election.Biden’s win in Arizona gives the Democrat 290 electoral votes in the state-by-state Electoral College that determines the winner, more than the 270 needed to claim victory. Biden is also winning the popular vote by more than 5.2 million votes, or 3.4 percentage points.With a few states still counting votes, the...WW…

By , WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a $2.2 trillion Democratic plan to provide more economic relief from the coronavirus pandemic, as a bipartisan deal continued to elude House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the White House.Slideshow Objections from top Republicans are likely to doom the House Democrats’ plan in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has called the $2.2 trillion price tag “outlandish,” although Democrats have reduced the cost of their proposal by over a trillion dollars since May. The House vote was 214-207.No Republican...…By , WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a $2.2 trillion Democratic plan to provide more economic relief from the coronavirus pandemic, as a bipartisan deal continued to elude House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the White House.Slideshow Objections from top Republicans are likely to doom the House Democrats’ plan in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has called the $2.2 trillion price tag “outlandish,” although Democrats have reduced the cost of their proposal by over a trillion dollars since May. The House vote was 214-207.No Republican...WW…

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comWASHINGTON, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Democrats in the U.S. Congress were scrambling on Monday to find another way to include immigration reform in a sweeping $3.5 trillion social spending bill after a Senate arbiter said their first proposal broke the chamber's rules.The ruling was the latest in a series of stumbling blocks President Joe Biden's party faces as it enters a critical few weeks before a Sept. 27 vote on a $1 trillion Senate-approved infrastructure bill. Also ahead is an Oct. 1 deadline to continue funding the federal government...…Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comWASHINGTON, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Democrats in the U.S. Congress were scrambling on Monday to find another way to include immigration reform in a sweeping $3.5 trillion social spending bill after a Senate arbiter said their first proposal broke the chamber's rules.The ruling was the latest in a series of stumbling blocks President Joe Biden's party faces as it enters a critical few weeks before a Sept. 27 vote on a $1 trillion Senate-approved infrastructure bill. Also ahead is an Oct. 1 deadline to continue funding the federal government...WW…

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comWASHINGTON, April 22 (Reuters) - Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg warned U.S. lawmakers on Thursday that history will hold them accountable for climate catastrophes if they do not stop subsidizing fossil fuel production, calling tax breaks for the industry a “disgrace.”Thunberg, 18, whose activism has inspired a global movement, testified virtually to a House of Representatives panel on the day President Joe Biden began a virtual two-day pledging to slash U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030. "The simple fact, and...…Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comWASHINGTON, April 22 (Reuters) - Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg warned U.S. lawmakers on Thursday that history will hold them accountable for climate catastrophes if they do not stop subsidizing fossil fuel production, calling tax breaks for the industry a “disgrace.”Thunberg, 18, whose activism has inspired a global movement, testified virtually to a House of Representatives panel on the day President Joe Biden began a virtual two-day pledging to slash U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030. "The simple fact, and...WW…

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comWASHINGTON, April 19 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden met on Monday with a bipartisan group of lawmakers who have all served as governors or mayors, as the White House seeks a deal on his more than $2 trillion jobs and infrastructure proposal.Biden said he handpicked the group of former state and local leaders with experience as compromise seekers, hopinghe can get Democrats and Republicans to agree on an ambitious jobs and infrastructure package. The group included one Republican lawmaker who tried to block Biden's presidential...…Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comWASHINGTON, April 19 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden met on Monday with a bipartisan group of lawmakers who have all served as governors or mayors, as the White House seeks a deal on his more than $2 trillion jobs and infrastructure proposal.Biden said he handpicked the group of former state and local leaders with experience as compromise seekers, hopinghe can get Democrats and Republicans to agree on an ambitious jobs and infrastructure package. The group included one Republican lawmaker who tried to block Biden's presidential...WW…

By WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House of Representatives is due to vote Thursday on two immigration bills that would provide a path to citizenship for millions living illegally in the United States, just as the country faces the biggest surge of migrants at its southwestern border in 20 years.The bills to help farmworkers and younger immigrants known as “Dreamers” are an effort to take targeted steps forward while congressional Democrats deliberate President Joe Biden’s comprehensive immigration plan.But it will be an uphill battle for either a limited or extensive immigration program to...…By WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House of Representatives is due to vote Thursday on two immigration bills that would provide a path to citizenship for millions living illegally in the United States, just as the country faces the biggest surge of migrants at its southwestern border in 20 years.The bills to help farmworkers and younger immigrants known as “Dreamers” are an effort to take targeted steps forward while congressional Democrats deliberate President Joe Biden’s comprehensive immigration plan.But it will be an uphill battle for either a limited or extensive immigration program to...WW…

By , WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Advisers to President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats were set to discuss the next steps in responding to the coronavirus crisis on Tuesday, with congressional Republicans saying they were working on a $1 trillion relief bill.In a meeting on Monday at the White House, Republican lawmakers and administration officials said they were making progress toward fresh legislation aimed at cushioning the heavy economic toll of the pandemic.“Senate Republicans will put forward our proposal soon, I hope our Democratic colleagues will be ready to work together,”...…By , WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Advisers to President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats were set to discuss the next steps in responding to the coronavirus crisis on Tuesday, with congressional Republicans saying they were working on a $1 trillion relief bill.In a meeting on Monday at the White House, Republican lawmakers and administration officials said they were making progress toward fresh legislation aimed at cushioning the heavy economic toll of the pandemic.“Senate Republicans will put forward our proposal soon, I hope our Democratic colleagues will be ready to work together,”...WW…