1 Senate Digging Through Covid Bill...Slowly
The Senate is formally moving ahead with debate on the sweeping stimulus bill. Democrats had to clear a procedural hurdle to get there and it barely passed, 51-50 – as Vice President Kamala Harris broke the tie between Democrats and Republicans. The nearly two-trillion-dollar package includes direct checks of 14-hundred dollars to many Americans. There is talk of limiting the checks to those under certain high-income thresholds, a move supported by President Biden. But Senate Republicans are vowing to do everything they can to delay passage of the stimulus bill. As part of that? An all-out marathon happened in the Senate as clerks read the entire 628-page coronavirus relief bill. The Senate adjourned just after 2am this morning. Today, debate will begin on whether to pass the package. Democrats are hopeful it'll happen by this weekend. Lawmakers are racing to meet President Biden's deadline of March 14th, when unemployment benefits run out for millions.
2 CT Joins Other States In Opening, But With A Catch
As Texas and Mississippi take heat for reopening their states and dropping mask mandates, they’re not alone. Alabama, Iowa, Montana and North Dakota have, too. Now Connecticut has joined the fray, but with a caveat: masks are sticking around. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont is essentially allowing all businesses – except for bars – to open at full capacity (though an 11pm curfew will still be in place for restaurants). But anyone who ventures out? He wants citizens to stay masked up. “While it is encouraging to see the number of cases in our state gradually going down...we need to continue taking this virus seriously to mitigate its spread as much as possible," Lamont told reporters. " Connecticut has made tremendous strides to combat this pandemic, and we don't want to lose the progress that we've made."
3 Basketball Fans Can Pay To Put Photo On Cardboard Cutouts At Games
March Madness fans are being given a new way to cheer on their favorite basketball teams. Since capacity is restricted to 25-percent, the NCAA has decided to fill empty seats with cardboard cutouts. They'll be at this year's Final Four and Championship Game. And for 100-bucks, anyone can upload their picture on one. But instead of tossing the cutout after the game, fans can get it sent to their home for another 35-bucks. This is similar to what the Super Bowl did last month.