September 3, 2021
D.C. News
  • Senator Joe Manchin said Democrats should “hit the pause button” on their $3.5 trillion spending proposal. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Manchin stated that rising inflation and a soaring national debt necessitate a go-slow approach and a “significantly” smaller plan than the one Democratic leaders and the White House have endorsed. While House panels have started work on select portions of the $3.5 trillion package, no Senate panels have yet announced legislative meetings. (Articles here, here, and here)
  • The Biden administration announced it is committing almost $3 billion to the COVID-19 vaccine supply chain as the White House aims to expand U.S. manufacturing of the doses. The investment in the supply chain will start “in the coming weeks,” and will help companies implement new production lines and facilities, and will help create jobs, White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients said during a briefing. In total, the White House has already vowed to donate more than 600 million doses globally, with 130 million doses shipped so far to 90 countries. (Articles here and here)