Trump signs coronavirus relief and government funding bill into law after lengthy delay
By Kevin Liptak, Kate Bennett, Tami Luhby, Kaitlan Collins, Jason Hoffman, Phil Mattingly and Jeremy Diamond, CNN President Donald Trump signed the massive $2.3 trillion coronavirus relief and government funding bill into law Sunday night, averting a government shutdown that was set to begin on Tuesday, and extending billions of dollars in coronavirus aid to millions. Trump’s signature of the $900 billion Covid relief package extends unemployment benefits for millions of jobless gig-workers and independent contractors, as well as the long-term unemployed. The estimated 12 million people in two key pandemic unemployment programs, who were facing their last payment this
Trump throws Covid relief bill in doubt by asking Congress to amend it
By Nikki Carvajal, Kevin Liptak, Manu Raju, Jeremy Diamond and Paul LeBlanc, CNN President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he is asking for changes to the coronavirus relief bill passed by Congress, leaving the future of the $900 billion stimulus in doubt. Trump’s position could threaten to torpedo the carefully drafted bill, which his own administration helped negotiate — a move that could lead to a government shutdown and send the economy into a tailspin if he carried through with a veto. “I’m asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2000 or $4000 per
Coalition of Black pastors see Loeffler campaign ads as “an attack against the Black Church”
By Caroline Kenny, CNN A group of Black pastors, mostly from Georgia, penned an open letter to Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler and her campaign this weekend to respond to recent attacks from Loeffler against Democratic Senate candidate Rev. Raphael Warnock’s faith and sermons. The coalition of pastors said in the letter that they see Loeffler’s attacks against Warnock “as a broader attack against the Black Church and faith traditions for which we stand.” The group called on Loeffler to stop her attacks on the Senate candidate. “We call on you to cease and desist your false characterizations of Reverend Warnock
Hill leaders reach $900 billion Covid relief deal
After days of tense negotiations and months of partisan stalemate, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Sunday evening that leadership from both chambers had “finalized an agreement,” saying, “It is packed with targeted policies that help struggling Americans who have already waited entirely too long.” The announcement follows policy disputes and partisan finger-pointing between Democrats and Republicans that fueled uncertainty over whether lawmakers would manage to close out a deal or whether talks would collapse with lawmakers soon set to leave Washington for the holidays and the end of the 116th Congress in sight. The full details of what will
Coons, Scott bill would strengthen partnerships between HBCUs, federal agencies
The U.S. Senate on Dec. 11 passed the HBCU Propelling Agency Relationships Towards a New Era of Results for Students Act, introduced by Sens. Chris Coons, D-Delaware, and Tim Scott, R-South Carolina. The bill, previously passed in the House of Representatives, is now headed to the president’s desk for signature. If signed into law, this legislation will strengthen partnerships between federal agencies and the country’s more than 100 historically Black colleges and universities. The HBCU PARTNERS Act builds on the president’s 2017 executive order on HBCUs and provides pathways for Congressional oversight and public engagement. It will require federal agencies
UNCF Applauds PARTNERS as First Step for HBCU Impact as Congress Closes
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S.461, the HBCU Propelling Agency Relationships Towards a New Era of Results for Students Act (PARTNERS), as amended, by a vote of 388 to 6. This bill was led in the House by Representative Alma Adams (D-NC) and 11 bipartisan cosponsors, including Representative Mark Warner (R-NC). Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) leads the bill in the Senate, which still must act on this bill. The measure would codify Executive Order 13779, which seeks to require agencies that regularly interact with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to submit an agency plan to both the Secretary of
How Historically Black Colleges & Universities are Reshaping American Politics
Kamala D. Harris, a Black woman, is the vice president-elect of the United States. A range of other Black women helped to make this happen: Stacey Abrams, who is responsible in large part for the unprecedented voter turnout in Georgia, and Keisha Lance Bottoms, the mayor of Atlanta. Also deserving credit is Nikema Williams, who won Georgia’s 5th Congressional District, which included Clayton County and was formerly represented by John Lewis until his passing. They all have one thing in common: They received their education at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Harris attended Howard, Abrams attended Spelman, Bottoms attended
What the Biden Presidency could mean for HBCUs.
Joe Biden’s apparent election as president could pave the way for a dramatic shift in higher education policies, possibly making tuition free for many seeking a college education and wiping away the debt of millions of people paying back student loans. Biden’s victory is also significant in its symbolism for higher education. Kamala Harris will be the nation’s first African American and Asian American vice president and, as a Howard University alumna, the first graduate of a historically Black university in the White House. The first lady will be Jill Biden, who until recently taught at a community college. There
Kamala Harris makes history as the first woman, person of color elected vice president
Kamala Harris Makes History As Next Vice President Vice President-elect Kamala Harris is the first woman, the first Black person and the first Asian American elected to the second highest office in the United States. Noah Berger/AFP via Getty Images California Sen. Kamala Harris will become the next vice president of the United States, shattering another racial and gender barrier in American politics, at the end of a bruising presidential race that further exposed a bitterly divided electorate. Harris, 56, will bring a legion of firsts to the vice presidency: A daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica, she will