Tom Howell Jr.

Democrats sink Senate Republicans’ coronavirus stimulus plan that would send cash to families

Congress was unable to reach an agreement Sunday on a $1 trillion-plus stimulus package that gives cash to families and keeps small businesses afloat during the coronavirus pandemic, deepening fears of economic chaos as Rand Paul of Kentucky became the first U.S. senator to confirm he's contracted the disease.

March 22, 2020

Donald Trump will not ‘nationalize’ companies under Defense Production Act

The president urged auto executives to "go for it" but he said he has resisted using the Defense Production Act, a Korean War-era law that empowers the president to compel production because it would smack of "nationalization" and is not necessary at this time.

March 22, 2020

Donald Trump supports letting Congress vote remotely during coronavirus pandemic

President Trump said he'd be in favor of letting members of Congress vote remotely during the coronavirus crisis.

March 22, 2020

Donald Trump provides ‘maximum flexibility’ to use National Guard to hard-hit states

President Trump said he is giving Washington state, California and New York "maximum flexibility" to use the National Guard as they see fit to combat the coronavirus.

March 22, 2020

Rand Paul tests positive for coronavirus

Sen. Rand Paul has tested positive for the coronavirus, his office said Sunday.

March 22, 2020

Anthony Fauci: No clash with Trump on malaria drug for coronavirus

Anthony Fauci, the main scientist in the U.S. coronavirus response, says combining a malaria drug with certain antibiotics shows "anecdotal" promise for COVID-19 patients and that his push for more proof doesn't mean he is clashing with President Trump.

March 22, 2020

Donald Trump attacks Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker after complaints about coronavirus coordination

President Trump on Sunday responded to complaints from governors by saying they need to keep leading in their states and that the federal government will "back you up should you fail."

March 22, 2020

Cuomo: Trump should use Defense Production Act immediately

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday said states are "savaging" other states and those in need face rampant price gouging as they scramble to find medical gear to combat the coronavirus.

March 22, 2020

Steven Mnuchin: Congress close on coronavirus stimulus deal

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Sunday said the administration and Congress are close to a massive stimulus deal to rescue the American economy from the coronavirus.

March 22, 2020

AOC: Donald Trump failure to invoke Defense Production Act ‘going to cost lives’

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York said the Trump administration's failure to invoke the Defense Production Act is "going to cost lives" as hospitals in her district see a shortfall in masks, gowns and other equipment during the coronavirus crisis.

March 22, 2020

Peter Gaynor, FEMA chief, says agency shipping medical gear ‘continuously’

The federal government has been shipping masks to states and hospitals "continuously," America's chief emergency manager said Sunday, though was unable to give even a rough number of how many have gone out amid the coronavirus crisis.

March 22, 2020

Pence staff member tests positive for coronavirus

A member of Vice President Mike Pence's staff tested positive for coronavirus, the White House announced Friday.

March 20, 2020

Andrew Cuomo, N.Y. gov.: Ventilators are to coronavirus fight what ‘missiles were to WWII’

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday said ventilators are critical to winning the fight against the coronavirus, saying they are "to this war what missiles were to World War II."

March 20, 2020

Sean Spicer returns to White House briefing room… as a reporter

Like a baseball catcher thrown into left field, Sean Spicer found himself facing the White House podium on Friday instead of directing the action in the briefing room.

March 20, 2020

Donald Trump says he’s putting war-power production law ‘into gear’

President Trump said Friday he's activated the Defense Production Act to compel the production of medical gear in support of the states, as coronavirus infections reached 14,250 and the death toll exceeded 200 in the U.S.

March 20, 2020

Trump cancels standardized testing for elementary, high school students

President Trump said he is suspending student loan payments and interest for 60 days and canceling standardized tests for elementary and high school students this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

March 20, 2020

Melania Trump offers tips for parents amid coronavirus crisis

First lady Melania Trump pitched into the fight against the coronavirus Friday, posting a video that offers hand-washing and coping tips for parents and reminds families "this will not last forever."

March 20, 2020

Hydroxychloroquine, anti-malarial drug, tapped for coronavirus fight

President Trump on Thursday directed the Food and Drug Administration to repurpose an anti-malarial drug for use against the raging coronavirus pandemic.

March 19, 2020

Trump seeks use of existing drugs against coronavirus

President Trump on Thursday directed the Food and Drug Administration to approve an anti-malarial drug and other therapies for use against the coronavirus, told states to order ventilators before relying on him and blamed China for the spread of the virus amid claims he was not prepared.

March 19, 2020

Nancy Pelosi to Donald Trump: Use war-production powers now

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday said President Trump must use a Korean War-era law to procure hospital gear immediately instead of waiting for the coronavirus crisis to worsen, saying there is "not a day to lose."

March 19, 2020