Objection to Democracy: Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley announced that he will object next week to the congressional vote to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s win. Hawley doesn’t have a prayer of changing the result, but he’s bought into the Trump election-conspiracy …

Too Much and Not Enough: Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell yesterday blocked a quick effort to increase pandemic relief checks from $600 to $2,000.   Democratic minority leader Chuck Schumer asked to have the measure passed by unanimous consent, but any single …

Swamp Things: The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly last night to increase the $600 individual stimulus checks to $2,000, and to override President Trump’s veto of the defense authorization bill, putting the Senate Republican majority in a bind.   The Republicans who …

Sign of the Times: President Trump in Florida suddenly signed the $908 billion pandemic relief and government funding bill, which will avert a shutdown, extend expanded unemployment benefits and the eviction moratorium, while triggering $600 checks to individual taxpayers.   Trump said in …

The Last Days of Pompeii: President Trump yesterday vetoed the big defense policy bill, pardoned 26 more people including convicted associates, then left to spend Christmas at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida.   He gave no further indication whether he would veto …

Game Change: President Trump threw Washington into turmoil last night with a recorded video announcement that he might refuse to sign the new coronavirus relief bill because the $600 checks are too small. He said, “I am asking Congress to amend …

Somewhat Relieved: The House and Senate last night passed a $908 billion economic relief bill that by any estimate falls far short of what the country needs. As soon as next week, out-of-work taxpayers will get a $600 check that likely …

It’s a Deal: Congress has reached agreement on a nearly $900 billion economic stimulus bill that would include $600 checks and an extension of $300 unemployment benefits for 11 weeks.   Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell fought to keep a lid on …

Massive Attack: While carrying on about the election and the stock market, President Trump has been silent about the suspected Russian cyber-attack on US government and security computers. Security officials are assessing how deeply a suspected the attack has penetrated into …

Viral News: The US has developed a million new cases of Covid-19 in just the past five days. Deaths are rising and hospital beds are near capacity. Yesterday alone, 260 people died of the virus in California. The state has ordered …