- The Biden administration said it will invest $70 million to boost the availability and lower costs of rapid, over-the-counter COVID-19 tests in the U.S. The administration plans to make more high-quality, accurate, and reliable over-the-counter tests available through an accelerated FDA authorization process. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will select manufacturers capable of producing high volumes of COVID-19 tests and urge them to bring tests to the U.S. market to open up options for Americans, including potentially more affordable choices. (Articles here, here, here, here, and here)
- Democrats are hoping to wrap up negotiations this week over their social-spending and climate bill. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said there were three to four open issues, including the tax increases to pay for the package, Medicare and Medicaid provisions, and a paid leave program. The bill, initially drafted at $3.5 trillion, is now expected to cost between $1.5 trillion and $2 trillion. (Articles here, here, and here)
October 26, 2021
D.C. News