Senate Poised To Approve Major Science Funding Bill To Compete With China The Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 allocates billions to scientific research and has strong bipartisan support. It could be could be a game changer for some U.S. cities. John Ruwitch
Labor Secretary Walsh Discusses The Dueling Infrastructure Bills NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Labor Secretary Marty Walsh about the dueling infrastructure bills presented by Republicans and Democrat leaderships, along with the current health of the labor force.
Senate Republicans Release $928 Billion Infrastructure Counteroffer The move comes days after President Biden offered to lop off $550 billion from his original proposal, moving the two sides closer than they have ever been, though significant challenges remain. Kelsey Snell
What Prompted Biden To Order A Deeper Look Into COVID-19's Origin? President Biden has asked for a 90-day investigation into how the COVID-19 pandemic started, and whether it's possible that the virus leaked from a lab in China. Tamara Keith
Majority Of Senate Republicans Remain Opposed To Insurrection Probe Senate Republicans are expected to filibuster a bipartisan bill to create an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Claudia Grisales
Biden Asks U.S. Intel To Push For Stronger Conclusions On The Coronavirus' Origins The U.S. intelligence community is investigating the potential origins of the coronavirus, including the possibility that it emerged as a result of a lab accident in Wuhan, China. Alana Wise
Texans May Soon Be Allowed To Carry Handguns Without Training Or A Background Check Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, says he'll sign a bill removing one of his state's last big gun restrictions. The measure would allow residents to carry handguns without training or a background check. Dominic Anthony Walsh
Karine Jean-Pierre Is The 1st Black Woman In Decades To Brief White House Press Karine Jean-Pierre is the first Black spokeswoman to take questions from the White House podium since the 1990s. Ayesha Rascoe
Democrats Will Learn Soon If GOP Is Serious About Infrastructure, Sen. Coons Says NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware about the ongoing negotiations involving the White House, Democrats and Republicans on a comprehensive infrastructure package.
Women Left Their Jobs To Be Caregivers. A Business Coalition Wants Companies To Help More women than men left the workforce during the pandemic, many because they had to care for children. A business council wants companies to take the lead in expanding child care and elder care. James Doubek