Senate

The Build Back Better Bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is now in the hands of the Senate.

The president is calling on Senate Republicans to allow a straight up or down vote on raising the debt ceiling. "If you don't want to help save the country, get out of the way," Biden said.

As the U.S. entered World War I, Congress created a limit on aggregate federal debt and also a cloture rule to end filibusters. The two are linked again in the current battles on Capitol Hill.

Several big differences remain between the House and Senate versions of North Carolina's roughly $26 billion budget including teacher raises, tax cuts, and emergency powers.

As Democrats try to pass their massive multi-trillion-dollar spending bill with a simple majority vote, lots of things might be included but other things might not. And it all goes back to one man.

Seemingly arcane exercises in the days and weeks ahead will in fact represent – and may even resolve — real conflicts over national issues of enormous importance.

"I cannot imagine more worthy recipients than the men and women who put their lives on the line to defend this temple of democracy," Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says.

North Carolina House members no longer have the option to cast floor votes remotely — a result of improving conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

President Biden continued his hands-off approach to the impeachment trial of his predecessor. Asked whether he would watch the trial, Biden said: "I am not."