Politics

News Brief: A Roundup Of The Latest Coronavirus Stories

6:26am March 19, 2020

President Trump signs emergency aid package. Two members of Congress test positive for COVID-19. Sen. Richard Burr's coronavirus comments raise eyebrows. And, Trump takes action at U.S. borders.

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Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., said on Wednesday that he tested positive for COVID-19, making him the first member of Congress to contract the coronavirus.

2 Members Of Congress Test Positive For COVID-19, Others Quarantine After Contact

11:15pm March 18, 2020

by Bobby Allyn

Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart and Ben McAdams each said they experienced symptoms starting Saturday evening. Three other lawmakers who were in contact with them are self-quarantining.

President Trump said on Wednesday that Acting Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought will be nominated as the office's permanent director.

Trump Picks Budget Hawk Russ Vought As OMB Director As Coronavirus Crashes Economy

8:49pm March 18, 2020

by Bobby Allyn

Vought's values stand in sharp contrast to Trump's "go big" approach in devising the White House's coronavirus stimulus, expected to be a $1 trillion emergency package.

A medical professional takes samples from person at a drive-through coronavirus testing lab set up at Somerville Hospital in Somerville, Mass., on Wednesday.

Politics & Government

President Trump Signs Coronavirus Emergency Aid Package

8:38pm March 18, 2020

The Senate approved a new package earlier Wednesday providing paid sick leave and boosting testing for the coronavirus.

The Census Bureau announced Wednesday that it is temporarily suspending field operations for the 2020 census until April 1. Households, however, can continue to respond on their own online, over the phone or by paper.

Coronavirus Forces Bureau To Suspend Census Field Operations Until April 1

8:22pm March 18, 2020

by Hansi Lo Wang

U.S. households can respond at my2020census.gov, over the phone or by paper. But to "protect the health and safety" of the public, the Census Bureau says it's pausing field operations for two weeks.

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Federal Employees Demand More Telework Capacity, As Personnel Management Head Quits

6:41pm March 18, 2020

by Brian Naylor

Federal workers want to be able to telework during the coronavirus pandemic. While the Trump administration says it's encouraging it, in practice it's not so clear federal agencies are.

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State Legislatures Shut Down Due To Coronavirus, Leaving Legislation On The Table

5:19pm March 18, 2020

by Bente Birkeland

Several state legislatures have called off their 2020 sessions due to the coronavirus outbreak, leaving necessary lawmaking in question.

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Trump Administration Derides 'Wuhan Virus,' As Beijing Extends Aid To Other Countries

4:39pm March 18, 2020

by Michele Kelemen

While the Trump administration blames China for what Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calls the "Wuhan virus," China is now offering aid to Italy and sending more money to the World Health Organization.

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Politics & Government

What's Next For The Democratic Primary After Biden Consolidates Lead

4:39pm March 18, 2020

Bernie Sanders says he's reassessing his campaign for president after another string of losses to Joe Biden in Democratic primaries.

Former State Department Official Comments On U.S. Role In Global Response To Pandemic

4:39pm March 18, 2020

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Richard Haass, former Department of State policy planning director, about how the U.S. needs to lead world cooperation against pandemics.

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