U.S. medical stockpile running low as Delta variant threat looms

U.S. medical stockpile running low as Delta variant threat looms-politico:  Supplies of critical medical products in the Strategic National Stockpile are still well below federal targets more than 18 months after the coronavirus first emerged in the United States, according to internal data obtained by POLITICO.

White House targets corporate giants in draft executive order

White House targets corporate giants in draft executive order-politico:  The White House is crafting an executive order aimed at promoting competition throughout the U.S. economy, a move aimed at lessening the stranglehold of dominant players in industries ranging from banking and agriculture to shipping and air travel, according to three people familiar with the discussions.

The 2024 Iowa caucus campaign has already begun

The 2024 Iowa caucus campaign has already begun-politico:  Trump would be the overwhelming front-runner for the Republican Party’s nomination should he wage a 2024 comeback bid. But that’s not stopping his would-be GOP successors from barreling into Iowa.

Some moderate Democrats oppose Biden spending package, as progressives feared

Some moderate Democrats oppose Biden spending package, as progressives feared-rollcall:  Progressive Democrats’ concerns that their more centrist colleagues won’t support President Joe Biden’s larger spending and tax agenda are starting to bear out.

Bipartisan infrastructure ‘framework’ heads to the White House

Bipartisan infrastructure ‘framework’ heads to the White House-rollcall:  Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer late Wednesday blessed a tentative bipartisan agreement on $559 billion in new infrastructure spending that a group of senators and White House aides negotiated, but warned it has to move along with a larger partisan package to get Democrats’ support.

Senate’s bipartisan infrastructure deal nears its big reveal

Senate’s bipartisan infrastructure deal nears its big reveal-politico:  The Senate’s bipartisan group is racing to finalize an accord on infrastructure, hoping to clinch a deal totaling $579 billion in new spending as soon as this week.

The pandemic changed how we vote. These states are making the changes permanent.

The pandemic changed how we vote. These states are making the changes permanent.-politico:  The Covid-19 pandemic is receding in America. But some of the changes it prompted in American elections are here to stay.

Newsom's latest recall strategy: Give away cash, hang with celebrities

Newsom's latest recall strategy: Give away cash, hang with celebrities-politico:  California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s political career has long been something of a white-knuckle roller coaster ride.  So it was fitting that the Democratic governor, in his latest fist-pumping lap around the state, hit the front seat of the New Revolution roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain this week, hands in the air, relishing the stomach-churning jaunt.

These 4 states could decide control of Congress in 2022

These 4 states could decide control of Congress in 2022-rollcall:  More than 16 months before Election Day, new House district lines haven’t even been drawn, and yet the fight for Congress is likely to hinge on the outcomes in four critical states.

Senate passes bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday

Senate passes bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday-politico:  The Senate on Tuesday passed legislation to recognize Juneteenth as a legal public holiday.

Moderate Democrats demand ‘stable’ debt ahead of key budget vote

Moderate Democrats demand ‘stable’ debt ahead of key budget vote-rollcall: Five House Democrats representing the more moderate end of the caucus threw some doubt on the future of President Joe Biden’s agenda Monday.  The five lawmakers — one more than Speaker Nancy Pelosi's margin on party-line floor votes — sent a letter to the speaker arguing to "stabilize" federal debt so that it remains roughly the same share of gross domestic product rather than rising as projected under Biden's budget proposal.

Controversial drug approval stokes concern about lack of a permanent FDA chief

Controversial drug approval stokes concern about lack of a permanent FDA chief-politico:  The Food and Drug Administration’s approval of a controversial new Alzheimer’s drug this week has hardened opposition to acting commissioner Janet Woodcock, who remains President Joe Biden’s apparent favorite to be the agency’s permanent leader.

Bipartisan Senate group claims agreement on infrastructure

Bipartisan Senate group claims agreement on infrastructure-rollcall:  A bipartisan group of 10 senators say they have reached an agreement on what they call “a realistic, compromise framework” for a wide range of infrastructure spending.  The group of five Democrats and five Republicans said in a joint statement late Thursday that their plan would be fully paid for and not include tax increases.

Biden expected to announce US will buy 500 million Pfizer vaccine doses for the world

Biden expected to announce US will buy 500 million Pfizer vaccine doses for the world-rollcall:  The United States plans to purchase and donate 500 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use overseas, a person familiar with the expected announcement confirmed.

Senate passes broad research and development bill

Senate passes broad research and development bill-rollcall:  The Senate on Tuesday passed, 68-32, bipartisan legislation aimed at giving the U.S. an edge over China in the scientific research and development of emerging technologies

Democrats reach turning point with Manchin

Democrats reach turning point with Manchin-thehill: Democrats say they’re at a turning point with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).  Manchin’s decision to make known his opposition to the party’s sweeping voting rights legislation, a top priority for many Democrats, has raised serious questions about whether they can enact the bold agenda envisioned for President Biden’s first term.

Democrats set to begin chaotic three-week sprint

This week: Democrats set to begin chaotic three-week sprint-thehill: Senate Democrats are returning to Washington on Monday to kick off a three-week sprint that will define Capitol Hill between now and when they leave at the end of the month for their next recess.

White House outlines plans to donate coronavirus vaccines abroad

White House outlines plans to donate coronavirus vaccines abroad-rollcall: The Biden administration on Thursday announced it would send 80 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to other nations struggling with the pandemic by the end of the month and outlined a plan for allocating the first 25 million doses.

Biden tries new strategy with moderates as frustration grows

Biden tries new strategy with moderates as frustration grows-thehill:  President Biden this week took the rare step of calling out two Democratic moderates — Sens. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) — in a sign of growing frustration over stalled legislative priorities.

Research and development ambitions will test bipartisanship

Research and development ambitions will test bipartisanship-rollcall:  As partisan disagreements over infrastructure and a national commission to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol dominated headlines last week, Congress and President Joe Biden inched closer to a historic boost in U.S. research and development eyed by Republicans and Democrats as a needed counter to China’s quest for technological dominance.

Biden’s budget goes big on spending in bid to lift middle class

Biden’s budget goes big on spending in bid to lift middleclass-politico:  President Joe Biden has released a $6 trillion budget request that stitches his most ambitious spending plans into one massive proposal, pitching historic investments in highways, child care and climate change.