House, Senate Approve Bill Suspending Normal Trade Relations With Russia
A bill suspending normal U.S. trade relations with Russia is headed to President Biden's desk after easy passage by the House and Senate. The measure is a response to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Before the Senate vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called Russia's actions in Ukraine brutal and horrifying. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin must continue to be held accountable.
House Speaker Pelosi Tests Positive For COVID
Nancy Pelosi has COVID-19. A spokesman for the Speaker of the House says Pelosi is "currently asymptomatic." Drew Hammill tweeted that the California Democrat is fully vaccinated and boosted. He said the Speaker is "thankful for the robust protection the vaccine has provided." Pelosi is 82 years old and is second in the line of presidential succession, after the vice president.
Senate Moves Toward Supreme Court Confirmation Vote For Judge Jackson
Ketanji Brown Jackson could be making history later this week if confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court. She would become the first-ever Black woman Supreme Court justice. President Biden nominated Jackson to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says Jackson is exceptionally qualified and thoughtful, while Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell calls Jackson a judicial activist who has gone "soft on crime." The Senate votes early this afternoon on her confirmation.