3 Things To Know Today

1 Senate Passes Stopgap Funding Bill, Averting Government Shutdown

The government remains open for business after Senate passed a stopgap funding bill that will fund the government until February 18th. Senators voted 69 to 28 to approve the measure passed by the House earlier in the evening. In the end, only Illinois Republican Adam Kinzinger crossed the aisle in the House. Over in the Senate, some Republican senators had threatened to hold up the possibility of a quick vote because of their opposition to President Biden's vaccine mandate on large companies. Either way, the measure will soon be on Biden’s desk, where he’ll surely sign it. Lawmakers had been facing a deadline of midnight last night before a government shutdown would have been triggered. But aside from funding the federal government, this short-term continuing resolution also provides an additional $7-billion across four agencies to assist with relocation efforts of Afghan refugees.

2 Biden Unveils COVID Winter Strategy, As Omicron Is Confirmed In Five States

President Biden is unveiling his administration's COVID winter strategy. Speaking at the NIH, Biden said the situation in the U.S. is greatly improved compared to a year ago. He said roughly 72-percent of Americans will be fully vaccinated by Christmas. Biden cited growing concerns about the new Omicron variant and warned things could take another turn for the worse this winter. He also made another big pitch for full vaccinations and booster shots. The COVID winter strategy includes tightening international travel rules and greatly expanding free at-home tests. As we told you before, mask requirements for U.S. domestic and international travel will be extended to mid-March. That includes trains and commuter rails. He noted COVID is an ongoing, global pandemic that requires a global response. The Omicron variant has now been detected in at least five states. At least 10 total cases have now been reported in the U.S., as local leaders are warning that the variant is now spreading within some communities.

3 Prosecutors May Charge MI School Shooting Suspect's Parents

The parents of a 15-year-old accused of shooting multiple people at a Michigan high school on Tuesday may also face criminal charges. Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald says her office will be making that decision in the near future – perhaps as soon as today. Why are James and Jennifer Crumbley in the prosecution’s crosshairs? James bought the 9mm Sig Sauer gun believed to have been used in the shooting last week. And while that’s not a crime, not stowing a weapon properly is. As it happens, however, the Crumbleys aren’t new to the notion of criminal charges. Apparently, the couple scored a few points on their respective records while living in Florida. Records in Duval County Clerk show James was arrested for DUI in 2005, then driving on a suspended license. Back in 1995, however, he was accused of check fraud. As for Jennifer, she was arrested for DUI on the same day as her husband in 2005. Prior to that in 2003, she was busted driving with a suspended license and check fraud. Neither has a history of gun crime.


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