COVID-19

The White House budget will include proposed funding levels for each federal agency, as Democrats aim to increase funding for non-defense programs. The request is the first step in the arduous congressional budget process, and President Joe Biden will need to win Republican support for government funding to pass.

Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek (D-Portland) cancelled all floor sessions this week after a lawmaker or a staffer tested positive for COVID-19.

On Thursday afternoon, President Biden signed the American Rescue plan into law. The law was subject to an intense partisan debate and passed both houses of Congress by a very slim margin. The President expects checks to go out by the end of this month.

Late Friday evening, by a vote of 219-212, the House of Representatives passed the $1.9 trillion COVID-relief plan championed by President Joe Biden.