The latest Congress news from The Texas Tribune.
The Senate approved the relief plan on Saturday after roughly 24 hours of debate. The bill includes $1,400 stimulus checks for millions of Americans, as well as an additional $300-per-week in unemployment payments until early September. Full Story
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The field for the May 1 special election features 11 Republicans, 10 Democrats, one independent and one Libertarian. Full Story
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A subcommittee chair wrote in a letter to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas that the grid’s failures were “costly” and disproportionately affected low-income communities and communities of color. Full Story
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The former top White House physician defended his actions in a statement to The Texas Tribune, calling the Defense Department inspector general report "a political hit job because I stood with President Trump." Full Story
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The provision to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour isn't likely to make it through the Senate. But the package the House passed offers a blueprint for what is expected to be a staggering round of government spending. Full Story
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Texas voters give President Joe Biden good marks on COVID-19 response, but they're split on his overall job performance, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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The U.S. Senate voted to acquit the former president on Saturday after a five-day impeachment trial in which several Texans played a key role. The state's two Republican senators voted to acquit, as they did during Trump's first impeachment trial. Full Story
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Delays in the delivery of court-approved political maps have disrupted past elections in Texas. And this year's pandemic-related delays in the U.S. census have raised the possibility of jumbled election plans in 2022. Full Story
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The U.S. House voted 230-199 to remove Greene from the House Budget and Labor and Education committees. Eleven House Republicans joined with Democrats in the vote, but no Texas GOP members crossed party lines. Full Story
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U.S. Reps. Marc Veasey and Michael McCaul sat down virtually with The Texas Tribune to discuss last week’s destructive snowstorm and how Texas can move forward — plus, what leadership in Washington should look like. Full Story
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Senators tabled the measure to declare Trump's second impeachment unconstitutional, but the exercise served as a possible litmus test of where senators stand on the question of whether the former president should be convicted in the Senate of inciting a mob to attack the U.S. Capitol earlier this month. Full Story
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The two Texans in the U.S. Senate have called the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump "vindictive." Full Story
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While doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have begun to arrive, the pandemic is far from over. Share your story with us. Full Story
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Experts say the GOP's rhetoric about Section 230 of a 1996 communications law suggests a deep misunderstanding of how it works. Full Story
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The state’s GOP leaders have launched a campaign against technology and social media companies after officials and followers faced repercussions for sowing the election doubts that fueled the Capitol insurrection. Full Story
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Wright, who was hospitalized in September while undergoing cancer treatment, said in a statement that he’s been in quarantine since Friday. Full Story
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For the past four years, Texas Republicans have had an ally in the White House. Now they’re readying for the familiar role of conservative counterweight. Full Story
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Both Cruz and Cornyn confirmed that they will be at Biden’s inauguration next week, even as Cruz continues to spread false claims casting doubt on Biden’s victory. Full Story
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In this week's episode, Matthew talks with Ross, Abby and Cassi about the siege in the U.S. Capitol and the first day of the legislative session in the Texas Capitol. Full Story
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The Texas Capitol had its defenses ready for the start of the legislative session after last week's riots in the U.S. Capitol. But opening day was nice and quiet. Full Story
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