INSIDER
Harris reaches agreement on transition planning with Biden administration, no word on Trump yet
Read full article: Harris reaches agreement on transition planning with Biden administration, no word on Trump yetVice President Kamala Harris’ transition team has reached an agreement with the government to accept federal support to prepare for her potential presidency.
White House hosts first meeting with Trump, Harris transition teams
Read full article: White House hosts first meeting with Trump, Harris transition teamsRepresentatives for former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris’ transition teams met for the first time at the White House, the Biden administration announced Wednesday, as the outgoing administration plans to smooth the handoff to whomever wins in November.
Biden aims for more achievements despite the bane of lame-duck presidents: diminished relevance
Read full article: Biden aims for more achievements despite the bane of lame-duck presidents: diminished relevancePresident Joe Biden says he’s “determined to get as much done” as he possibly can in his final six months in the White House.
Biden passed that torch slowly, hanging on until the wheels finally came off
Read full article: Biden passed that torch slowly, hanging on until the wheels finally came offInsiders who were close to Joe Biden's struggles are describing a president who was dogged in his determination to keep his candidacy alive — but ultimately not in denial about the odds.
Biden vows to keep running as signs point to rapidly eroding support for him on Capitol Hill
Read full article: Biden vows to keep running as signs point to rapidly eroding support for him on Capitol HillPresident Joe Biden is vowing to keep running for reelection as he rejects pressure from within his Democratic Party to withdraw after a disastrous debate performance raised questions about his readiness.
Trump offers CEOs a cut to corporate taxes. Biden's team touts his support for global alliances
Read full article: Trump offers CEOs a cut to corporate taxes. Biden's team touts his support for global alliancesFormer President Donald Trump has told an influential group of CEOs that he would further cut the 21% corporate tax rate to 20%.
Biden's team asks CEOs how to further boost the economy while Trump says business is on his side
Read full article: Biden's team asks CEOs how to further boost the economy while Trump says business is on his sideOn the campaign trail, President Joe Biden likes to take a hard thwack at corporate America.
Planning for potential presidential transition underway as Biden administration kicks it off
Read full article: Planning for potential presidential transition underway as Biden administration kicks it offPresident Joe Biden’s administration has formally begun planning for a potential presidential transition, aiming to ensure continuity of government no matter the outcome of November’s general election.
Muslim leaders are 'out of words' as they tire of the White House outreach on the war in Gaza
Read full article: Muslim leaders are 'out of words' as they tire of the White House outreach on the war in GazaSome Muslim and Arab American leaders have grown frustrated with the outreach from President Joe Biden's White House as the war in Gaza drags on.
Biden chooses longtime aide who runs his Oval Office to be a deputy White House chief of staff
Read full article: Biden chooses longtime aide who runs his Oval Office to be a deputy White House chief of staffPresident Joe Biden has chosen a longtime aide and close adviser to be a White House deputy chief of staff.
White House sets new guidelines for Cabinet notifications after Austin's secret hospitalization
Read full article: White House sets new guidelines for Cabinet notifications after Austin's secret hospitalizationThe White House is laying out a new set of guidelines to ensure it will be informed any time a Cabinet head can’t carry out their job.
White House apologizes to former 2024 candidate Asa Hutchinson as Biden courts anti-Trump GOP
Read full article: White House apologizes to former 2024 candidate Asa Hutchinson as Biden courts anti-Trump GOPThe White House has apologized to former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson for a Democratic National Committee statement a day earlier that mocked the end of his long-shot 2024 bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
Slowing inflation suggests that Biden's policies are helping, but American voters are still hurting
Read full article: Slowing inflation suggests that Biden's policies are helping, but American voters are still hurtingPresident Joe Biden can make an increasingly strong case that he’s helped fix inflation, if only he can get voters to believe him.
How the White House got involved in the border talks on Capitol Hill -- with Ukraine aid at stake
Read full article: How the White House got involved in the border talks on Capitol Hill -- with Ukraine aid at stakeTop Biden administration officials have ramped up their involvement in the recent border talks on Capitol Hill.
Big city mayors get audience with administration officials to pitch a request for help with migrants
Read full article: Big city mayors get audience with administration officials to pitch a request for help with migrantsBiden administration officials have hosted big city mayors at the White House to discuss how to manage a growing number of migrants.
Biden wants to move fast on AI safeguards and signs an executive order to address his concerns
Read full article: Biden wants to move fast on AI safeguards and signs an executive order to address his concernsPresident Joe Biden has signed a sweeping executive order to guide the development of artificial intelligence.
Biden will head to Israel and Jordan as concerns mount that Israel-Hamas conflict will spread
Read full article: Biden will head to Israel and Jordan as concerns mount that Israel-Hamas conflict will spreadPresident Joe Biden will travel to Israel and Jordan Wednesday to meet with both Israeli and Arab leadership, as concerns increase that the raging Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict.
White House lawyer who advised Biden on pandemic and GOP investigations is set to leave next month
Read full article: White House lawyer who advised Biden on pandemic and GOP investigations is set to leave next monthThe top White House lawyer will leave next month after a nearly three-year run helping President Joe Biden weigh legal considerations as he implemented his pandemic response, battled Republican investigations and crafted major legislation.
In San Francisco, Biden talks with tech leaders about risks and promises of artificial intelligence
Read full article: In San Francisco, Biden talks with tech leaders about risks and promises of artificial intelligencePresident Joe Biden has convened a group of technology leaders in San Francisco to debate the risks and promises of artificial intelligence.
Biden picks Zients as his next White House chief of staff
Read full article: Biden picks Zients as his next White House chief of staffPresident Joe Biden has announced Jeff Zients as his next White House chief of staff, tapping an experienced technocrat who headed his administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Biden names FEMA, CDC officials to head monkeypox response
Read full article: Biden names FEMA, CDC officials to head monkeypox responsePresident Joe Biden is set to name top officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to serve as the White House coordinators to combat the growing monkeypox outbreak.
‘Fiery’ Psaki ending tenure as a top White House messenger
Read full article: ‘Fiery’ Psaki ending tenure as a top White House messengerJen Psaki is leaving as White House press secretary on Friday after having answered reporters’ questions nearly every weekday of the almost 500 days that President Joe Biden has been in office.
Experts say US suspension of COVID aid will prolong pandemic
Read full article: Experts say US suspension of COVID aid will prolong pandemicIn the latest Senate package targeted at stopping the coronavirus, U.S. lawmakers dropped nearly all funding for curbing the virus beyond American borders, a move many health experts describe as dangerously short-sighted.
Biden signs budget bill with Ukraine aid but no virus cash
Read full article: Biden signs budget bill with Ukraine aid but no virus cashPresident Joe Biden on Tuesday signed a bill providing Ukraine with $13.6 billion in additional military and humanitarian aid as part of a $1.5 trillion measure funding the U.S. government for the year.
Biden outlines COVID plans, says it's time to return to work
Read full article: Biden outlines COVID plans, says it's time to return to workPresident Joe Biden says “it’s time for Americans to get back to work” and he's announcing new efforts to allow people to return to normal activities safely after two years of pandemic disruptions.
More virus rules fall as CDC hints at better times ahead
Read full article: More virus rules fall as CDC hints at better times aheadThe nation’s top federal health official says the U.S. is moving closer to the point that COVID-19 is no longer a “constant crisis” as more cities, businesses and sports venues began lifting pandemic restrictions around the country.
Under pressure to ease up, Biden weighs new virus response
Read full article: Under pressure to ease up, Biden weighs new virus responseFacing growing pressure to ease up on pandemic restrictions, the White House is insisting it is making plans for a less-disruptive phase of the national virus response.
COVID-19 pill rollout stymied by shortages as omicron rages
Read full article: COVID-19 pill rollout stymied by shortages as omicron ragesTwo brand-new COVID-19 pills that were supposed to be an important weapon against the pandemic in the U.S. are in short supply and have played little role in the fight against the omicron wave of infections.
Soaring COVID-19 cases renew US debate over mask mandates
Read full article: Soaring COVID-19 cases renew US debate over mask mandatesOfficials across the U.S. are again weighing how and whether to impose mask mandates as COVID-19 infections soar and the American public grows weary of pandemic-related restrictions.
EXPLAINER: Where are the COVID-19 tests that Biden promised?
Read full article: EXPLAINER: Where are the COVID-19 tests that Biden promised?President Joe Biden announced last month that the federal government will buy half a billion COVID-19 rapid test kits and distribute them free to people to use at home.
Biden urges concern but not alarm in US as omicron rises
Read full article: Biden urges concern but not alarm in US as omicron risesPresident Joe Biden is urging concern but not alarm as the United States set records for daily reported COVID-19 cases and his administration struggles to ease concerns about testing shortages.
US faces a double coronavirus surge as omicron advances
Read full article: US faces a double coronavirus surge as omicron advancesThe new omicron coronavirus mutant speeding around the world may bring another wave of chaos, as it threatens to further stretch hospital workers already struggling with a surge of delta cases and upend holiday plans for the second year in a row.
A retro feel to Biden's plan for covering OTC virus testing
Read full article: A retro feel to Biden's plan for covering OTC virus testingThe Biden administration’s plan for health insurers to reimburse consumers for over-the-counter COVID-19 tests is recalling the model of a bygone era when the companies processed large volumes of claims from individuals — with paper receipts.
COVID cases spike even as US hits 200M vaccine milestone
Read full article: COVID cases spike even as US hits 200M vaccine milestoneThe U.S. has reached a COVID-19 milestone of 200 million fully vaccinated people, but cases and hospitalizations are still spiking, even in highly immunized pockets of the country like New England.
White House: 10% of kids have been vaccinated in 1st 2 weeks
Read full article: White House: 10% of kids have been vaccinated in 1st 2 weeksThe White House says about 10% of eligible kids aged 5 to 11 have received a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine since its approval for their age group two weeks ago.
Biden to continue FEMA virus aid for states until April 1
Read full article: Biden to continue FEMA virus aid for states until April 1The White House says President Joe Biden is extending the federal government’s 100% reimbursement of COVID-19 emergency response costs to states, tribes and territories through April 1, 2022.
Biden, a convert to vaccine mandates, champions compliance
Read full article: Biden, a convert to vaccine mandates, champions compliancePresident Joe Biden is championing COVID-19 vaccination requirements and is determined that the roughly 67 million unvaccinated American adults must get the shot even as he acknowledges that mandates weren't his “first instinct.”.
US easing virus restrictions for foreign flights to America
Read full article: US easing virus restrictions for foreign flights to AmericaIn a major easing of pandemic travel restrictions, the U.S. will allow foreigners to fly into the country this fall if they have vaccination proof and a negative COVID-19 test.
Biden's vaccine rules to set off barrage of legal challenges
Read full article: Biden's vaccine rules to set off barrage of legal challengesPresident Joe Biden's administration is gearing up for another major clash between federal and state rule over its sweeping new vaccine requirements that have Republican governors threatening lawsuits.
Biden's vaccine rules to set off barrage of legal challenges
Read full article: Biden's vaccine rules to set off barrage of legal challengesPresident Joe Biden's administration is gearing up for another major clash between federal and state rule over it's sweeping new vaccine requirements that have Republican governors threatening lawsuits.
Booster shots hitch: Some may miss the Sept. 20 start
Read full article: Booster shots hitch: Some may miss the Sept. 20 startPresident Joe Biden’s plans to start delivery of booster shots by Sept. 20 for most Americans who received COVID-19 vaccines are facing new complications that could delay the availability for those who received the Moderna vaccine.
States that had a grip on COVID now seeing a crush of cases
Read full article: States that had a grip on COVID now seeing a crush of casesThe COVID-19 surge that is sending hospitalizations to all-time highs in parts of the South is also clobbering states like Hawaii and Oregon that were once seen as pandemic success stories.
The Latest: Mississippi hospital to require masks
Read full article: The Latest: Mississippi hospital to require masksMississippi’s only level-one trauma hospital and academic medical center will require all employees and students who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 to wear an N95 mask while inside, a decision that a top official acknowledged would not be popular with everyone in the country’s least vaccinated state and may result in the loss of employees.
White House calling out critics of door-to-door vaccine push
Read full article: White House calling out critics of door-to-door vaccine pushThe Biden White House is no longer refraining from criticizing Republican officials who play down the importance of coronavirus vaccinations or seek to make political hay of the federal government’s all-out effort to drive shots into arms.
Nearly half of new US virus infections are in just 5 states
Read full article: Nearly half of new US virus infections are in just 5 statesNearly half of new coronavirus infections nationwide are in just five states — a situation that is putting pressure on the federal government to consider changing how it distributes vaccines by sending more doses to hot spots.
Next slide, please: Inside wonky White House virus briefings
Read full article: Next slide, please: Inside wonky White House virus briefingsWalensky is making an impassioned plea to Americans not to let their guard down in the fight against COVID-19. If the Trump briefings made for more stirring television, the Biden ones are designed to showcase the science-based side of the crisis, with a tone based more on facts than flourish. There’s a political aim too, as the White House works to maintain its high approval ratings with the public for Biden’s handling of the virus. Next slide.”AdFauci and Walensky have autonomy as to what they’re briefing on, according to a senior administration official, with the White House only having a sense of what they plan to discuss. The Biden administration sessions typically livestream on whitehouse.gov at midday and sometimes don’t make the cut on cable TV.
Tourism groups push US to eliminate travel restrictions
Read full article: Tourism groups push US to eliminate travel restrictionsAirlines and other tourism-related businesses are pushing the White House to draw up a plan in the next five weeks to boost international travel and eliminate restrictions that were imposed early in the pandemic. More than two dozen groups made their request in a letter to the White House on Monday, March 22, 2021. More than two dozen groups made their request in a letter to the White House on Monday. They set a May 1 target for the government “to partner with us” on a plan to rescind year-old restrictions on international travel. The White House did not comment but referred to remarks by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky on Monday.
Biden's top aides unlikely to qualify for relief payments
Read full article: Biden's top aides unlikely to qualify for relief paymentsWASHINGTON – At least one group in America is unlikely to get any money from President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion economic rescue plan — his own top aides. Most of Biden’s senior West Wing advisers made far more than the threshold that would qualify them for direct payments from the president’s COVID-19 relief bill, according to White House financial disclosure forms released Saturday. Others in the West Wing — whose positions don't require Senate confirmation — have had deep ties to the business world. He was listed as having a salary of $1.8 million, according to his disclosure form. Brian Deese, head of the national economic council, was previously global head of sustainable investing at BlackRock, according to his disclosure.
Governors applaud Biden's vaccine timeline, but need supply
Read full article: Governors applaud Biden's vaccine timeline, but need supplyIn Virginia, state vaccine coordinator Dr. Danny Avula said the state could hit Biden’s goal earlier. But several governors cautioned it must come with a dramatic increase in vaccine supply. “It could be a delay for people to actually get a vaccine because of the operational constraints," she said. We can’t disappoint people who eagerly want a vaccine,” said Pat Allen, director of the Oregon Health Authority. Elsewhere, governors met Biden's goal with enthusiasm.
Airline industry pushes US to standardize health papers
Read full article: Airline industry pushes US to standardize health papersAirlines hope such a document would allow countries to relax travel restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the virus. More than two dozen airline and business groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce wrote to the White House about the matter on Monday, March 8, 2021. However, the groups said that vaccination should not be a requirement for domestic or international travel. The groups include the main U.S. and international airline trade organizations, airline labor unions and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The White House did not immediately comment.
Local pharmacists step up in COVID-19 vaccination effort
Read full article: Local pharmacists step up in COVID-19 vaccination effortIn some small towns across the U.S., an independent pharmacy is the only local place where residents can get a COVID-19 vaccination. President Joe Biden recently celebrated the injection of the 50 millionth dose of COVID-19 vaccine since his inauguration. They don’t have to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine, unlike flu and other vaccines, but they do have administrative costs they may be able to recover when patients have insurance. All told, the Federal Retail Pharmacy program has 21 companies taking part including big drugstore and grocery chains and mass merchandisers like Costco and Walmart. Besides giving COVID-19 shots in their stores, pharmacists have also set up mass immunization clinics.
Biden stands by May timeline for vaccines for all US adults
Read full article: Biden stands by May timeline for vaccines for all US adultsStates will also receive 2.8 million doses of the J&J shot this week. Psaki said the Biden administration was using its powers under the Defense Production Act to help Merck retool to work on the production. The J&J vaccine can be stored for months at refrigerated temperatures, rather than frozen. Now, with a global clamor for more vaccine doses, those heavyweights are helping manufacture doses for less-experienced rivals whose vaccines won the first emergency authorizations from regulators. Merck has since said it was in talks to help other drug companies with vaccine production, but wouldn’t say Tuesday whether other deals are imminent.
States easing virus restrictions despite experts' warnings
Read full article: States easing virus restrictions despite experts' warningsEmployees with the McKesson Corporation scan a box of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine while filling an order at their shipping facility in Shepherdsville, Ky., Monday, March 1, 2021. AdThe push to reopen comes as COVID-19 vaccine shipments to the states are ramping up. Johnson & Johnson shipped out nearly 4 million doses of its newly authorized, one-shot COVID-19 vaccine Sunday night to be delivered to states for use starting on Tuesday. The company will deliver about 16 million more doses by the end of March and a total of 100 million by the end of June. White House vaccination coordinator Jeff Zients also acknowledged that scheduling of vaccination appointments “ remains too difficult in too many places."
Biden aims to distribute masks to millions in 'equity' push
Read full article: Biden aims to distribute masks to millions in 'equity' push(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden plans to distribute millions of face masks to Americans in communities hard-hit by the coronavirus beginning next month as part of his efforts to ensure “equity” in the government’s response to the pandemic. Biden’s plan will distribute masks not through the mail, but instead through Federally Qualified Community Health Centers and the nation’s food bank and food pantry systems, the White House announced Wednesday. Ad“Not all Americans are wearing masks regularly, not all have access, and not all masks are equal,” said White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients. The White House is not distributing safer N95 masks, of which the U.S. now has abundant supply after shortages early in the pandemic. Biden has also required the use of masks around the White House, unlike Trump, whose White House was the scene of at least three outbreaks of the virus.
States rush to catch up on delayed vaccines, expand access
Read full article: States rush to catch up on delayed vaccines, expand accessStates are scrambling to catch up on coronavirus vaccinations after bad weather last week led to clinic closures and shipment backlogs. Nevada health officials are working overtime to distribute delayed shots. But limited supply of the two approved COVID-19 vaccines hampered the pace of vaccinations even before extreme weather delayed the delivery of about 6 million doses. Steve Sisolak said Monday that 46,000 doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine that were delayed by weather began arriving in the state. Looking ahead to summer, Pfizer and Moderna executives said they expect to complete delivery of 300 million doses each, and J&J aims to provide an additional 100 million doses — more than enough to vaccinate every American adult.
Beyond 100M: Biden team aiming for bigger vaccine numbers
Read full article: Beyond 100M: Biden team aiming for bigger vaccine numbersWASHINGTON – It sounded so ambitious at first blush: 100 million vaccination shots in 100 days. The company is set to double its pace of vaccine deliveries in the coming weeks. Biden first set his target of 100 million doses in 100 days on Dec. 8, days before the first vaccines received emergency use authorization. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores estimates its members alone have the capability to deliver more than 3 million doses per day. That figure has risen from fewer than 9 million doses per week to 13.5 million in Biden’s first weeks in office.
Biden defends progress on COVID as weather delays 6M shots
Read full article: Biden defends progress on COVID as weather delays 6M shotsHe went on to say that by the end of July his administration can deliver 600 million doses for Americans. But “it's one thing to have a vaccine available, the problem was how to get to people's arms.”The Pfizer plant Biden toured, near Kalamazoo, produces one of the two federally approved COVID-19 shots. "I would’ve gotten there some way.”AdWhite House adviser Slavitt said the 6 million doses delayed won’t spoil and the vaccine is “safe and sound” under refrigeration. Slavitt said about 1.4 million doses were being shipped Friday as the work of clearing the backlog begins. The Virginia Department of Health reported that it was expecting delays on about 90% of its expected 120,000 doses this week and warned that delays could cascade into next week.
Crippling weather hampers vaccine deliveries, distribution
Read full article: Crippling weather hampers vaccine deliveries, distributionThe National Weather Service forecasts temperatures barely hovering at 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and likely slipping into the single digits by Tuesday morning. After her appointment for a vaccine on Saturday was canceled, Dohogne said a neighbor's friend has been helping her navigate the vaccine enrollment process. Some shipments of the vaccine made by Pfizer were delayed in the South because of the bad weather, but the company was unaware of any vaccine spoilage, said spokesman Eamonn Nolan. Fran Goldman, 90, of Seattle, told The Seattle Times she walked 6 miles (9.7 kilometers) round trip in the snow to get her vaccine. In other developments, Pennsylvania is facing a temporary shortage of second shots of the Moderna vaccine after providers inadvertently used them as first doses.
The Latest: Hong Kong ease pandemic rules as cases decline
Read full article: The Latest: Hong Kong ease pandemic rules as cases declineFILE - In this Feb. 7, 2020 file photo, people wearing masks attend a vigil for Chinese doctor Li Wenliang, in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)HONG KONG — Hong Kong is reducing social distancing rules following a sharp drop in new coronavirus cases, including restarting indoor dining and reopening gyms. More than two-thirds of the new cases were in Seoul area, home to half of South Korea’s 51 million people. The company has contracted to provide 100 million doses — enough for 100 million Americans — by the end of June. “We just need the vaccine to arrive.”___ATLANTA — Snowy and icy weather across much of the nation has “significantly” delayed shipments of COVID-19 vaccine to Georgia, state health officials said Wednesday.
Government rushes virus gene-mapping as mutations spread
Read full article: Government rushes virus gene-mapping as mutations spreadThe U.S. is scrambling to expand DNA mapping of coronavirus samples to identify potentially deadlier mutations starting to spread around the country. But the more significant action is on Capitol Hill, where a House bill headed for floor debate would provide $1.75 billion for genomic sequencing. The U.S. now maps only the genetic makeup of a minuscule fraction of positive virus samples, a situation some experts liken to flying blind. Baldwin says the U.S. should be analyzing at least 15% of positive virus samples. “Genomic sequencing testing is how we will spot variants early before they spread,” said White House COVID response coordinator Jeff Zients.
Tight supply creates reluctance over federal vaccine sites
Read full article: Tight supply creates reluctance over federal vaccine sitesWith vaccine supplies running tight, they want assurances that the doses will come from a separate federal supply and not their own. Eager to protect more people against the coronavirus, health officials in Oklahoma jumped at the chance to add large, federally supported vaccination sites. The Biden administration's virus response plan calls for opening 100 federally supported vaccination sites by the end of February. “We just opened our first two federal vaccination centers, in California this week," Klain told NBC News. Officials in New York and Texas said the federal government told them that the vaccines distributed in the federal sites there would not count against the states’ allocations.
Airlines push White House to reject testing for US flights
Read full article: Airlines push White House to reject testing for US flightsU.S. airlines are pressing their case against requiring coronavirus testing of passengers on domestic flights. The CEOs of several major airlines met Friday, Feb. 12, with the White House's coronavirus-response coordinator to lobby against a testing requirement. They say it would further undermine air travel, which is still running at less than half its pre-pandemic level. Airlines reacted with alarm, however, when CDC officials raised the possibility of testing the much larger number of passengers on domestic flights. Airline unions have joined the push against testing domestic passengers.