COVID-19 relief bill: Democrats strike deal on jobless benefits after logjam

Senate leaders and moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin have struck a deal over emergency jobless benefits, breaking a nine-hour logjam that had stalled the party’s showpiece $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill.

Senate confirms Austin as US’ first Black secretary of defense

With minimal objection, the Senate voted 93-2 in favor of confirming retired Gen. Lloyd Austin as secretary of defense.