Seeking court that looks ‘like America,’ Biden picks Ketanji Brown Jackson

Seeking court that looks ‘like America,’ Biden picks Ketanji Brown Jackson-rollcall:  President Joe Biden introduced Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson at the White House on Friday as his pick for the upcoming Supreme Court vacancy, describing her as an extraordinarily qualified judge with a focus in court on how the law affects everyday people.

Bipartisan support builds for Ukraine aid package

Bipartisan support builds for Ukraine aid package-rollcall:  A day after Russia invaded Ukraine, U.S. lawmakers in both parties signaled support for providing military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, although the amount and timeline for a supplemental funding package remained unclear.

White House announces new steps for long-term supply chain resilience

White House announces new steps for long-term supply chain resilience-rollcall:  The White House announced steps focusing on long-term supply chain resilience to mark the one-year anniversary since President Biden signed an executive order to strengthen the nations supply chains in the midst of disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Networking hasn’t bounced back from COVID-19

Networking hasn’t bounced back from COVID-19. This Hill staffer has an app for that-rollcall:  David Tennent was really looking forward to starting his new job as a digital director for Rep. Guy Reschenthaler of Pennsylvania. Besides the chief of staff, Tennent hadn’t met anyone in the office yet, and after a year of setting up awkward coffee meetings over LinkedIn as an entry-level staffer for another Republican, Tennent was hoping to make a few new work friends.

Temporary spending bill clears Senate ahead of Friday deadline

Temporary spending bill clears Senate ahead of Friday deadline-rollcall:  The Senate cleared a short-term spending measure after Democrats beat back several Republican amendments that could have triggered a partial government shutdown this weekend.

Newsom rolls out 'next phase' Covid strategy that relies on rapid response

Newsom rolls out 'next phase' Covid strategy that relies on rapid response-politico:  Gov. Gavin Newsom rolled out a strategy for the “next phase” of managing Covid-19 in California that focuses more intently on early detection of variants, stockpiling high-quality masks and contracting with a manufacturer of at-home rapid tests.

The Fed is setting out to kill inflation. Brace for collateral damage

The Fed is setting out to kill inflation. Brace for collateral damage-politico:  American wages are surging at the fastest clip since 1983, driven by a booming economy and intense competition for workers. Now, that momentum is in danger of being crushed as the Federal Reserve faces mounting pressure to fight an all-out war against inflation.

Britney Spears invited to Congress to discuss conservatorships

Britney Spears invited to Congress to discuss conservatorships-thehill:  Britney Spears is sharing an invitation she received to testify before Congress about conservatorships and how she “achieved justice.”

Senate Democrats plot March legislative push on inflation

Senate Democrats plot March legislative push on inflation-rollcall:  Senate Democrats plan to bring legislation to the floor in March designed to cut costs for Americans as rampant inflation drives up gasoline, food and other prices.

Senate sets up Califf confirmation vote with narrow procedural win

Senate sets up Califf confirmation vote with narrow procedural win-rollcall:  The Biden administration’s nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration, Robert Califf, survived a Senate procedural vote, 49-45, on Monday evening with the help of five Republicans.

New round of aid for restaurants, others likely to be the last

New round of aid for restaurants, others likely to be the last-rollcall:  Senate Small Business Chair Benjamin L. Cardin is hoping to attach another, final round of COVID-19 aid for restaurants and other small businesses that rely on in-person customers to the delayed fiscal 2022 appropriations package lawmakers are aiming to pass by March 11.

A congressional stock trading ban won't be easy

A congressional stock trading ban won't be easy-politico:  Democrats are suddenly at a crossroads: Should they try to drain their own swamp — a little bit, at least — before the midterms?

Black, Latino candidates dominate fourth quarter’s top fundraisers

Black, Latino candidates dominate fourth quarter’s top fundraisers-rollcall:  Six of the 10 congressional candidates who raised the most money during the final quarter of 2021 were Black or Latino, a result of diversity in pivotal races and a shift in the focus and strategy of political fundraising overall, a CQ Roll Call analysis found.

Hill staffers are organizing. What could their unions look like?

Hill staffers are organizing. What could their unions look like?-rollcall:  Inspired by an anonymous Instagram account and disgusted by bad pay and worse bosses, congressional staffers have begun the uncertain journey toward unionizing.

House overcomes Republican opposition to pass competition bill

House overcomes Republican opposition to pass competition bill-rollcall:  House Democrats used a mostly party-line vote Friday to pass broad legislation aimed at boosting science and technology investments for several federal agencies, in an attempt to position the country to better compete with China. 

Spending negotiations appear headed for another stopgap bill

Spending negotiations appear headed for another stopgap bill-rollcall:  Congress is on course to pass a third government funding stopgap for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1, as negotiations on a 12-bill omnibus package continue at a snail’s pace barely two weeks before the Feb. 18 deadline appropriators set in the last continuing resolution.

Chunks is a funny word. Congress-watchers can’t stop saying it

Chunks is a funny word. Congress-watchers can’t stop saying it-rollcall:  Policy debates on Capitol Hill are often wonky and sometimes clunky. They can be full of spunk, or a lot of bunk, and occasionally sound drunk. But these days, they’re mostly chunky.

Biden’s FDA pick makes major ethics pledges to win over Elizabeth Warren

Biden’s FDA pick makes major ethics pledges to win over Elizabeth Warren-politico:  President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration is making major ethics concessions to Sen. Elizabeth Warren as he tries to lock down critical confirmation votes.

Some Democrats hope climate consensus can save budget bill

Some Democrats hope climate consensus can save budget bill-rollcall:  Proposals for tackling climate change are emerging as an area of Democratic unity that could reach the congressional finish line and potentially bring with them at least some other measures in the party’s budget reconciliation bill.