US sees highest level of daily Covid deaths since April as over 180,000 new cases are recorded
- Barr: no evidence of voter fraud that would change election outcome
- Georgia Republican warns Trump is inciting violence over election
- Justice department investigates alleged ‘bribery for pardon’ scheme
- ‘Help is on the way’: Biden introduces economic team
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11.29am GMT
Yesterday Senate Republican majority leader Mitch McConnell said he’s largely sticking with a partisan, scaled-back Covid-19 relief bill that has already failed to pass Congress twice. The Kentucky Republican made the announcement after president-elect Joe Biden called upon lawmakers to pass a down payment relief bill now with more to come next year.
Associated Press report that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi resumed talks with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin about a year-end spending package that could include Covid-19 relief provisions. Mnuchin told reporters as he arrived at a Senate Banking Committee hearing that he and Pelosi are focused primarily on the unfinished appropriations bills, however.
11.16am GMT
Also on the trade front, Reuters have this today on the increasing levels of scrutiny being applied to Chinese companies operating in the US. The House of Representatives is expected to pass legislation this week that could prevent some Chinese companies from listing their shares on US exchanges unless they adhere to US auditing standards.
The bill would give Chinese companies like Alibaba, Pinduoduo and oil giant PetroChina three years to comply with US rules before being removed from US markets.
Continue reading…US sees highest level of daily Covid deaths since April as over 180,000 new cases are recordedBarr: no evidence of voter fraud that would change election outcomeGeorgia Republican warns Trump is inciting violence over electionJustice department investigates alleged ‘bribery for pardon’ scheme‘Help is on the way’: Biden introduces economic teamSign up to receive First Thing – our daily briefing by email 11.29am GMTYesterday Senate Republican majority leader Mitch McConnell said he’s largely sticking with a partisan, scaled-back Covid-19 relief bill that has already failed to pass Congress twice. The Kentucky Republican made the announcement after president-elect Joe Biden called upon lawmakers to pass a down payment relief bill now with more to come next year.Associated Press report that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi resumed talks with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin about a year-end spending package that could include Covid-19 relief provisions. Mnuchin told reporters as he arrived at a Senate Banking Committee hearing that he and Pelosi are focused primarily on the unfinished appropriations bills, however. 11.16am GMTAlso on the trade front, Reuters have this today on the increasing levels of scrutiny being applied to Chinese companies operating in the US. The House of Representatives is expected to pass legislation this week that could prevent some Chinese companies from listing their shares on US exchanges unless they adhere to US auditing standards.The bill would give Chinese companies like Alibaba, Pinduoduo and oil giant PetroChina three years to comply with US rules before being removed from US markets. Continue reading…