Third Stimulus Check: Timeline, Amounts and Eligibility
By Katie Lobosco, CNN Congress is negotiating a fresh stimulus package that would include a third round of stimulus checks, but while there’s broad agreement on the need for more direct payments, it will take weeks before any go out. The upcoming second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump will push back any congressional action, and lawmakers are scheduled to be on recess over President’s Day — meaning there may not be progress on a deal until later in the month. It takes at least several days to get the first payments processed after any legislation is signed, and
Biden Advances Racial Equity With New Executive Actions
By Nicole Chavez, CNN Nearly a week into his administration, President Joe Biden is focused on creating a path toward equity after inheriting a deeply divided nation. After picking the most racially diverse Cabinet in US history, Biden jump-started his efforts by proposing a sweeping immigration overhaul, disbanding the 1776 commission and reversing a Trump-era ban on most transgender Americans joining the military. “President Biden believes gender identity should not be a bar to military service and that America’s strength is found in its diversity,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday. “America is stronger around the world when
History of Black US Senators: From Revels to Warnock
By Faith Karimi, CNN As we begin the 2021 Celebration of Black History Month, Congress set a new diversity record this year with its highest-ever number of women and racial minorities, including 60 Black lawmakers. But that’s mostly in the House. People of color have historically had a tougher time getting elected to the Senate. Newly elected Raphael Warnock is only the 11th Black US senator since the Senate convened for the first time in 1789. Only two of those have been women. And with the departure of Kamala Harris, the number of Black female US senators is now at
Atlanta Mural Honors Kamala Harris’ Historic Rise
By Ciara Cummings ‘Dream big’ is the tiny sentence stamped on the mural which shows the progression of the Vice President from toddler, to college student, to present day political powerhouse. Each shade on the wall at Cascade and Beecher Road was painted with intention. But, it’s not about the colors for Ashley Dopson. “This ain’t even a black or white thing, this ain’t left or right, this ain’t a red or blue thing.” The muralist says she does not have a way with words but she does with art, so she picked up a brush to write this story,
Biden Nominee Thomas-Greenfield Aims to Strengthen UN Role
By Jennifer Hansler and Devan Cole, CNN President Joe Biden’s nominee for US ambassador to the United Nations plans to voice her support for the country’s re-engagement in the multilateral institution in order to counter Chinese influence during a Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday, according to excerpts of her testimony obtained by CNN. “When America shows up — when we are consistent and persistent — when we exert our influence in accordance with our values — the United Nations can be an indispensable institution for advancing peace, security, and our collective well-being,” Linda Thomas-Greenfield plans to tell the Senate Foreign
Kamala Harris Inspires Kids as First Female VP
For many parents, the swearing-in of Kamala Harris was an inspirational teaching moment for their kids By Kelsie Smith, CNN The moment Kamala Harris took her oath of office on Wednesday to become the first female, first Black and first South Asian vice president was an inspirational teaching moment for parents and kids across the country. Harris stood proudly on the steps of the US Capitol as she was sworn in by Sonia Sotomayor, the country’s first Latina Supreme Court justice. The groundbreaking event was celebrated by many families, who shared photos of their daughters and sons witnessing history on
Biden-Harris Inauguration Highlights: Unity and History
By Devan Cole and Paul LeBlanc, CNN President Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday looked a bit different from past ceremonies ushering in a new administration. The day’s historic events navigated heightened security measures in Washington, DC, Covid-19 precautions and the absence of the outgoing President, the first time that’s happened in more than a century and a half. Still, the unprecedented day closed with fireworks and messages of unity and hope. Here are the highlights from the inauguration of America’s 46th president: Trump leaves the White House Though former President Donald Trump did not attend Biden’s swearing-in ceremony,
Amanda Gorman Crafts Inauguration Poem Amid Capitol Siege
By Veronica Stracqualursi, CNN Amanda Gorman was about halfway through writing the poem that she’ll deliver at President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration next week when she watched in horror the deadly siege on the US Capitol. Typically, it takes the nation’s first-ever youth poet laureate days to craft a new poem. She finished this one immediately. “It was like someone pressed the on-switch in my brain,” Gorman told CNN Friday. “I finished the rest at home that night.” Come Wednesday, Gorman will participate in a ceremony whose theme has long been billed as a call to national unity — a plea
Kamala Harris Sworn in as First Female US Vice President
Kamala D. Harris has taken the oath of office to become vice president of the United States, becoming the first woman and the first woman of color to hold the office.
