A House panel on Wednesday approved a bill granting statehood to the District of Columbia, setting the stage for a full House floor vote as early as next week. After hours of debate, the House Oversight and Reform Committee voted…
Washington
Biden to withdraw troops from Afghanistan starting May 1, ending by Sept. 11
President Joe Biden announced Wednesday he will begin withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan on May 1, completing a full withdrawal by Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks. “I’m now the fourth United States president to preside…
Pandemic upends usual procedures in adoptions and foster care
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced departments of social services and foster care programs across the nation to adapt. But for many children and youth, who rely on stability, there is still a lot of disruption, experts say.
Biden administration takes aim at improving Black maternal health care
Marking Black Maternal Health Week, the Biden administration is moving to put more federal resources behind improving Black maternal health care. “Make no mistake. Black women in our country are facing a maternal health crisis,” Vice President Kamala Harris said…
Biden takes actions aimed at curbing gun violence ‘epidemic’
The president’s moves came in the wake of two mass shootings — one on March 16 in Atlanta, where eight people were killed, and the other on March 22 in Colorado, where 10 lives were lost.
Biden faces pressure to address May 1 Afghanistan withdrawal deadline
President Joe Biden is facing pressure to decide whether to abide by the May 1 deadline negotiated by the Trump administration to fully withdraw remaining U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Despite initially hinting interest in meeting the May deadline, President Biden…
Washington Bullpen podcast: D.C. explores how to set up marijuana sales
WASHINGTON – Marijuana is legal in the District of Columbia. The problem is, there is not yet a law setting up how it can be sold legally. Rayonna Burton-Jernigan, a reporter with the Washington Bureau of Capital News Service, explores…
Voter restrictions are being proposed in 47 states, report says
State legislators in 47 states have introduced 361 bills so far this year to restrict voting, according to a Brennan Center for Justice Report released Thursday. “In the states, legislatures are rushing to enact restrictive voting laws, the most significant…
Democrats in Congress pressure Biden to address student loan debt crisis
Democrats in the House and the Senate have introduced bills that call upon President Biden to forgive student loan debt, which they argue is widening the racial and gender wage gaps and exacerbating the economic problems already worsened by the pandemic.
Democrats in Congress search for a compromise on minimum wage
The battle over increasing the minimum wage continues as congressional Democrats attempt to negotiate a compromise that might be less than their initial $15 per hour plan. Democrats in February were forced to remove their proposed $15 minimum wage from…