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Added on the 21/12/2017 17:38:26 - Copyright : Wochit
President Donald Trump has changed his thinking, and now says he wants a big stimulus bill passed before the general election on November 3rd. Fed Chair Jay Powell also wants to see one passed and has warned that without one, the US economy's recovery will surely falter. But the Republican-led Senate hasn't passed a new coronavirus relief bill since April 21st, and shows little signs of doing so before the election. According to Business Insider, the GOP is far more concerned with getting the Supreme Court tilted to the right by having Amy Coney Barrett confirmed. For more than five months, Congress has held up a comprehensive stimulus package for tens of millions of Americans and left them in limbo. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants a so-called 'skinny' bill, while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is holding out for far more for the American worker.
"We were outraged to learn of an IDF (Israel Defense Forces, ed) strike that killed a number of civilian humanitarian workers yesterday from the World Central Kitchen," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby tells reporters during a briefing at the White House. SOUNDBITE
US President Joe Biden called celebrity chef Jose Andres to express his condolences after an Israeli strike killed seven aid workers from his World Central Kitchen group in Gaza, the White House says. Biden "conveyed he will make clear to Israel that humanitarian aid workers must be protected," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tells reporters during a briefing. SOUNDBITE
The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approves a bill that would force Tiktok to divest from its Chinese owner or get banned from the United States. The lawmakers voted 352 in favor of the proposed law and 65 against, in a rare moment of bipartisan unity in politically divided Washington. IMAGES
The United States announces an "emergency package of security assistance of $300 million" to Ukraine. "This is possible because of unanticipated costs savings in contracts that DOD negotiated to replace equipment we've already sent to Ukraine through previous drawdown," US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan tells reporters at the White House. SOUNDBITE
A sweeping US foreign aid package, including $60 billion for Ukraine, passes a key procedural vote in the Senate, although opposition from right-wing Republicans may block it from ultimately becoming law. The upper chamber, which has a very slim Democratic majority, votes 67-27 to break a procedural hold placed on the bill, with its final passage now expected midweek. IMAGES