1 Moderna To Seek Emergency Use Authorization For COVID Vaccine
The Biotech company Moderna is officially asking the FDA for an emergency use authorization for its coronavirus vaccine. The move will make Moderna the second vaccine maker, behind Pfizer, to make the request. Moderna says their latest result show its coronavirus vaccine was more than 94-percent effective in clinical trials. President Trump hailed the news on Twitter, saying “the FDA "MUST ACT QUICKLY!!!" For their part, the FDA isn't wasting time on a second coronavirus vaccine – as a meeting is now planned for December 17th to discuss Moderna's request for emergency approval. That's one week after the agency will take up Pfizer's vaccine.
2 Biden Gets His First President's Daily Brief
The presidential transition of power has marked a major milestone as President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have begun officially receiving high level intelligence briefings. The decision to provide Biden with his first President's Daily Brief came after the General Services Administration finally agreed to put in motion the transition process last week. So what’s in it? The President's Daily Brief (PDB) is a six-day-a-week analysis and summary from the CIA and other parts of the intelligence community. Presidents and their aides have received it in some form since 1946 – and it's typically shared with presidents-elect so they can get up-to-speed on critical issues of national security.
3 Schumer Calls For Biden Cabinet To Be Confirmed Before Inauguration
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wants to see confirmation hearings for Joe Biden's cabinet picks before his inauguration. During a floor speech, Schumer said it's important the next administration can count on the chamber to confirm nominees without delay. Schumer argued Republicans lined up to confirm President Trump's nominees and the same should happen for President-elect Biden. Along the way, Schumer claimed there is an "obvious gulf in quality" and experience between Trump's and Biden's picks. Biden is set to be inaugurated on January 20th. While Schumer may not get what he wants in that department, he’s calling for a bipartisan push on getting another stimulus package through. And that’s something Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he believes can pass before lawmakers go home for the year.