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Added on the 22/01/2021 12:00:00 - Copyright : France 24 EN
At least three top Republicans plan to miss President Donald Trump's farewell ceremony. House Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Rep. Kevin McCarthy will attend church with Joe Biden. Vice President Mike Pence is unable to make it due to logistical issues, says Business Insider. Many people see this as the final snub to Trump from his once-closest allies. Others may also fail to attend but none so far have been confirmed outside of these three. Joe Biden is set to take office tomorrow and become the 46th President of the United States.
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas plans to attend President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. This comes after weeks of elevating misinformation about the election results. Cruz has faced immense backlash and increasing pressure to resign following his objection. Biden has even criticized the Texas senator and said he should be defeated in 2024. Since November, Cruz has sown doubts into the electoral process, says Business Insider. Cruz's communications director, Lauren Blair Bianchi, also left her job in the wake of the siege.
The US equity indexes closed at record highs on Thursday. Analysts look to the Democrats' victories in the Georgia Senate runoffs as a factor in the surge. Experts say the dual victories in the Georgia Senate runoffs pave the way for sweeping fiscal support in early 2021. The S&P 500 was up 1.5% at 3,803.79. The Dow Jones industrial average closed 212 points higher at 31,041.13, up 0.7%. While the Nasdaq composite saw an uptick of 2.6% at 13,067.48.
In April 2020, a coronavirus stimulus check of $2,000 was sent to most American adults. Eight months later, Congress agreed on a $900 billion coronavirus relief bill. The new bill would send out another stimulus check, this time worth $600. On Tuesday, Pres. Donald Trump said the checks should be worth $2,000. According to Insider polling, 72% of Trump supporters think $600 is too small.
President-elect Joe Biden is starting to lay out a blueprint for another pandemic aid package. According to Business Insider Biden indicated support for included more stimulus checks. Biden also wants public health funds, and enhanced unemployment insurance. But his ambitions will collide with Senate Republicans. Senate Republicans may not be inclined to back more aid spending.