ATLANTA — Georgia voters are deciding the balance of power in Congress in a pair of high-stakes Senate runoff elections that will help determine President-elect Joe Biden's ability to enact what could be the most progressive governing agenda in generations. Republicans are unified against Biden's plans for health care, environmental...
Pelosi Likely Speaker Again, but Might Require High-Wire Act
WASHINGTON — There's little doubt that Nancy Pelosi will be reelected House speaker when the new Congress convenes Sunday. It could take a high-wire act for her to get there, largely thanks to the pandemic. The only woman in history to serve as speaker, the California Democrat has a reputation as a...
COVID Relief Bill Morphs Into a Test of GOP Loyalty to Trump
WASHINGTON — Threatening to tank Congress’ massive COVID relief and government funding package, President Donald Trump’s demand for bigger aid checks for Americans is forcing Republicans traditionally wary of such spending into an uncomfortable test of allegiance. On Thursday, House Democrats who also favor $2,000 checks will all but dare...
Congress Kicks in $206 Million to Fix Leaky Friant-Kern Canal
Efforts to repair a long stretch of the Friant-Kern Canal got a major boost in the $900 billion COVID-19 relief package passed Monday night. The congressional package includes $206 million for canal repairs that are expected to begin in early 2021. The bill is on President Donald Trump's desk, and...
Not Even Yet Sworn In, Valadao Faces 2022 Competition
Before David Valadao has been sworn in to the 117th Congress, he has competition in 2022. Outgoing Congressman TJ Cox (D-Fresno) told "Sunday Morning Matters" host Alexan Balekian he will "absolutely" consider running again. "The fight to make a difference never quits. What I was doing before, trying to make...
Retiring Rep. Kennedy Says Greed Hinders Aid to Those in Need
WASHINGTON — Retiring Rep. Joe Kennedy III used his farewell speech from Congress on Wednesday to deride the “great lie of our times” that the government lacks the resources and will to help people in need. He said the real problem is greed, not scarcity. Speaking for five minutes on...
President-Elect? GOP May Wait for January to Say Biden Won
WASHINGTON — Americans waiting for Republicans in Congress to acknowledge Joe Biden as the president-elect may have to keep waiting until January as GOP leaders stick with President Donald Trump’s litany of legal challenges and unproven claims of fraud. Tuesday’s deadline for states to certify their elections — once viewed as a pivot point for Republicans to...
Walters: California Politicians Play Musical Offices
Those of certain age might remember the once-popular parlor game called musical chairs. A row of chairs would be set out and players — always one more than the number of chairs — would walk around them as music played and when it stopped, they would scramble to sit in...
Safe Harbor Law Locks Congress Into Accepting Biden’s Win
WASHINGTON — Happy Safe Harbor Day, America. Other than Wisconsin, every state appears to have met a deadline in federal law that essentially means Congress has to accept the electoral votes that will be cast next week and sent to the Capitol for counting on Jan. 6. Those votes will...
Walters: A Legislative Session Shaped by Pandemic
The California Legislature will reconvene Monday for what may be its most unusual session in the state’s 170-year history. Even the manner of its first meeting of the biennial session will be odd due to concerns about the surging COVID-19 pandemic. The 80-member state Assembly will initially gather in Sacramento’s...