Photo of Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer

Virus Bill Blocked in Senate as Prospects Dim for New Relief

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats scuttled a scaled-back GOP coronavirus rescue package on Thursday as the parties argued to a standstill over the size and scope of the aid, likely ending hopes for coronavirus relief before the November election. The mostly par...

Last-Ditch Virus Aid Talks Collapse; No Help for Jobless Now

WASHINGTON — A last-ditch effort by Democrats to revive Capitol Hill talks on vital COVID-19 rescue money collapsed in disappointment Friday, making it increasingly likely that Washington gridlock will mean more hardship for millions of people who are losing e...

Republicans, With Exception of Trump, Now Push Mask-Wearing

WASHINGTON — In Republican circles -- with the notable exception of the man who leads the party -- the debate about masks is over: It’s time to put one on. As a surge of infections hammers the South and West, GOP officials are pushing back against the notio...
Composite photo of Rep. Jim Costa and the Capitol

$2.2T Stimulus Strengthens Valley vs. COVID-19: Costa

Congressman Jim Costa had more than two trillion reasons to fly in and out of Washington, D.C., to cast a single vote Friday. Costa (D-Fresno) took a red-eye flight Thursday night so he could vote for the $2.2 trillion stimulus package to help Americans cop...